RESEARCH
Dissertation
A Performer's Guide to Selected Trumpet Excerpts
of Orchestral Works by Women Composers
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Abstract:
Orchestral excerpts are brief passages from symphonic repertoire that are intended to demonstrate a player’s musical and technical abilities. The canon of orchestral trumpet audition excerpts has been relatively unchanged for several generations. This established canon of excerpts rarely features works written by women. As orchestras begin diversifying their programs, the frequently requested orchestral excerpts require new considerations to reflect these changes. In order for excerpts to be reflective of the orchestral canon, they must be updated as the canon changes.
Once an excerpt has been identified and obtained, the next issue is addressing its unique musical and technical challenges. Most trumpeters will be unfamiliar with these works, and will need to spend a considerable amount of time learning these new excerpts.
This project serves three purposes:
1. Uncover and identify orchestral trumpet excerpts written by women composers.
2. Increase the accessibility of these excerpts.
3. Provide a performer’s guide to preparing these excerpts.
Additional aims for this project are to provide audition committees and orchestras a resource to program more inclusive and diverse works. These efforts will hopefully attract a more diverse candidate pool for auditions and encourage an expanded canon in the future
Research Live!
Dr. Stowell's research and scholarly endeavors have been recognized across departments. She was named by the Graduate College at the University of Illinois as a Research Live! Finalist. The goal of Research Live! is for contestants to share their research in 3 minutes or less, and to gear their presentation to an audience outside of their field. The title of her presentation was “Brass Ceiling: Amplifying the Voices of Women in Trumpet History.” She specifically researched the importance and impact of studying pioneering women cornetists, and performed on a historical cornet to enrich her findings.