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Faculty Member Performs at Trumpet Fest

By Justine Benzen
UW-RF News Bureau

APRIL 29, 2005--UW-River Falls faculty member Craig Hara will be performing alongside some of the nation's top trumpet players, including former NBC-TV's "Tonight Show" music director Doc Severinsen, at the UW-La Crosse Spring Trumpet Festival May 7 and 8.

Hara currently teaches recording techniques and music appreciation and has taught trumpet at UW-RF and is a member of the UW-RF Brass. He is a freelance musician and teacher, playing trumpet, drums and percussion, Electronic Valve Instrument, and keyboards and synthesizers.

He has played trumpet with the Minnesota Orchestra, the Minnesota Opera, the Minnesota Sinfonia, and the Cedar Avenue Big Band, as well as continuing performances in California with the Santa Barbara Chamber Orchestra and the Asia America Symphony. He has performed in scores for television and films including solo trumpet on the original soundtrack for the show "Chicago Hope." As a drummer he has performed with various Twin Cities artists including the David Singley trio.

Hara holds a B.F.A. and M.F.A. in trumpet performance from the California Institute of the Arts.

The performers will conduct master classes, lead panel discussions and give presentations before performing an evening concert Sunday.

Principal guest artists at the festival include:
Adolph Sylvester "Bud" Herseth is considered by the New York Times as "quite possibly the most dazzling player on his instrument in the world today." He holds Doctor of Music degrees from DePaul University, Luther College, the New England Conservatory of Music, Rosary College, and Valparaiso University.

Doc Severinsen is well known for his flamboyant Grammy Award-winning music director of "The Tonight Show." He currently travels the country performing with symphonic orchestras, jazz and big band concerts, making recordings and commercials, plus designing and manufacturing trumpets.

Charles Lazarus is the newest member of the Canadian Brass after five years of being a member with the Minnesota Orchestra. Lazarus made his Carnegie Hall solo debut with the New York String Orchestra while still completing his full scholarship studies at The Juilliard School in New York.

David Cooper is one of the most widely recognized trumpet players in the Midwest. Cooper is currently a trumpet professor at UW-La Crosse.

In addition to Hara, local performers at the workshop include: Douglas Carlsen from the Minnesota Orchestra, Robert Dorer from the Minnesota Orchestra, and Martin Hodel from St. Olaf College.

Full-festival registration is $75 per person and $35 for students. Single-day registration is available. Tickets for concerts only are $20 per person, $10 for students.

To register, order tickets, or more information on concert dates and times contact UW-La Crosse Continuing Education at 608/785-6504 or visit www.uwlax.edu/conted/trumpet.

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