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Allen Vizzutti, World-Class Trumpet Soloist and
Clinician
For the last forty years, Mr. Vizzutti has been renowned as a soloist, ensemble musician,
composer, and clinician. He is well-known as one of the few artists to successfully bridge
commercial and classical styles in a way that expertly meets or exceeds the demands of both
genres. His performances are both technically dazzling and artistically brilliant, and often
feature both jazz and classical music within a single program. As a studio musician, he has
including Frank Sinatra, Neil Diamond, Chick Corea, and Prince. He has also been a featured
performer with the Woody Herman Band, “Doc” Severinson and the Tonight Show Band, the
US Army Airmen of Note, Chuck Mangione, Woody Herman, Japan’s NHK Orchestra, the New
Tokyo Philharmonic, the Budapest Radio Orchestra, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, the
Leipzig Wind Symphony and the Kosie Wind Orchestra, and has appeared as guest soloist
commercial and classical styles in a way that expertly meets or exceeds the demands of both
Milwaukee, Buffalo, Phoenix, Edmonton, Vancouver, Winnipeg, and countless other cities
across the globe. His compositions have been recorded by world class musicians and
ensembles, including Summit Brass, the premier large brass ensemble in the United States.
ensembles, including Summit Brass, the premier large brass ensemble in the United States.
The virtuosity of his solo recordings, such as Baroque and Beyond, Trumpet Summit,
Skyrocket, and others, continues to set new standards in the field, especially in terms of his
ability to perform in multiple styles.
Clinician
For the last forty years, Mr. Vizzutti has been renowned as a soloist, ensemble musician,
composer, and clinician. He is well-known as one of the few artists to successfully bridge
commercial and classical styles in a way that expertly meets or exceeds the demands of both
genres. His performances are both technically dazzling and artistically brilliant, and often
feature both jazz and classical music within a single program. As a studio musician, he has
including Frank Sinatra, Neil Diamond, Chick Corea, and Prince. He has also been a featured
performer with the Woody Herman Band, “Doc” Severinson and the Tonight Show Band, the
US Army Airmen of Note, Chuck Mangione, Woody Herman, Japan’s NHK Orchestra, the New
Tokyo Philharmonic, the Budapest Radio Orchestra, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, the
Leipzig Wind Symphony and the Kosie Wind Orchestra, and has appeared as guest soloist
commercial and classical styles in a way that expertly meets or exceeds the demands of both
Milwaukee, Buffalo, Phoenix, Edmonton, Vancouver, Winnipeg, and countless other cities
across the globe. His compositions have been recorded by world class musicians and
ensembles, including Summit Brass, the premier large brass ensemble in the United States.
ensembles, including Summit Brass, the premier large brass ensemble in the United States.
The virtuosity of his solo recordings, such as Baroque and Beyond, Trumpet Summit,
Skyrocket, and others, continues to set new standards in the field, especially in terms of his
ability to perform in multiple styles.
Jan Kagarice, Professor of Trombone
University of North Texas
Jan Kagarice is currently Adjunct Professor of Trombone and Chamber Music at the University of North
Texas where she maintains a full studio. She has also served as a visiting professor at the University of
Minnesota and at the Hochschule fur Musik in Detmold, Germany. Additionally, Kagarice has given recitals,
master classes, and lectures at numerous colleges and music festivals in the United States, Austria,
Brazil, Canada, Denmark, England, Finland, Germany, Italy and Poland.
Jan was a founding member and bass trombonist of the internationally acclaimed PRISMA trombone
quartet and has performed with the Dallas Symphony, the Fort Worth Symphony, the Chautauqua
Symphony and the Boston Philharmonic. She holds a Bachelor of Music from New England Conservatory
and a Masters of Music from the University of North Texas. Her principal teachers include John Swallow,
John Kitzman, John Marcellus and Arnold Jacobs.
Kagarice has a unique ability to help players who are experiencing performance difficulties. She attributes
this to a combination of factors: her Montessori teaching experience, her study with Arnold Jacobs and her
own struggle with neuromuscular disease. Jan currently serves as the chair of the International Trombone
Association’s Committee on Focal Task Specific Dystonia and is an artist/clinician for the Conn-Selmer
Instrument Company.
University of North Texas
Jan Kagarice is currently Adjunct Professor of Trombone and Chamber Music at the University of North
Texas where she maintains a full studio. She has also served as a visiting professor at the University of
Minnesota and at the Hochschule fur Musik in Detmold, Germany. Additionally, Kagarice has given recitals,
master classes, and lectures at numerous colleges and music festivals in the United States, Austria,
Brazil, Canada, Denmark, England, Finland, Germany, Italy and Poland.
Jan was a founding member and bass trombonist of the internationally acclaimed PRISMA trombone
quartet and has performed with the Dallas Symphony, the Fort Worth Symphony, the Chautauqua
Symphony and the Boston Philharmonic. She holds a Bachelor of Music from New England Conservatory
and a Masters of Music from the University of North Texas. Her principal teachers include John Swallow,
John Kitzman, John Marcellus and Arnold Jacobs.
Kagarice has a unique ability to help players who are experiencing performance difficulties. She attributes
this to a combination of factors: her Montessori teaching experience, her study with Arnold Jacobs and her
own struggle with neuromuscular disease. Jan currently serves as the chair of the International Trombone
Association’s Committee on Focal Task Specific Dystonia and is an artist/clinician for the Conn-Selmer
Instrument Company.
David Kirk, Tuba, The Houston Symphony/Rice University
Mr. Kirk enjoys an international reputation for effective teaching of musicianship and the
physical aspects of wind playing. He has presented master classes throughout North America
and Japan. In addition to his work at the Shepherd School, Mr. Kirk is Principal Tubist of the
Houston Symphony. He was selected for this position during his final year of undergraduate
studies at the Juilliard School. While at Juilliard, he studied with Don Harry, and received
chamber music coachings from Gerard Schwarz. Kirk's other teachers include Chester
Schmitz, Warren Deck, Paul Kryzwicki, and Neal Tidwell.
Mr. Kirk enjoys an international reputation for effective teaching of musicianship and the
physical aspects of wind playing. He has presented master classes throughout North America
and Japan. In addition to his work at the Shepherd School, Mr. Kirk is Principal Tubist of the
Houston Symphony. He was selected for this position during his final year of undergraduate
studies at the Juilliard School. While at Juilliard, he studied with Don Harry, and received
chamber music coachings from Gerard Schwarz. Kirk's other teachers include Chester
Schmitz, Warren Deck, Paul Kryzwicki, and Neal Tidwell.
Marie Speziale, Professor of Trumpet, Rice University
Acknowledged as the first woman trumpeter in a major symphony orchestra, Marie Speziale
retired from the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in November of 1996 after having served as its
Associate Principal Trumpet for thirty-two years (1964-1996). A graduate of the
College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, Ms. Speziale studied with Robert Price, Robert
Braunagel, Eugene Blee and Arnold Jacobs.
Her tenure with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra included playing Associate Principal Trumpet
with the Cincinnati Opera Orchestra, Cincinnati May Festival Orchestra, Cincinnati Ballet
Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. Ms. Speziale has performed under the batons of Igor
Stravinsky, George Szell, Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, Eugene Ormandy, Eric Leinsdorf
and Max Rudolf. Her very extensive performance experience includes solo appearances with the
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, with
Duke Ellington, and with Dave Brubeck on the Johnny Carson NBC Tonight Show, on the
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra European tour, and at the Interlochen Arts Academy.
Since retiring from the orchestra, she has remained active as a performer, teacher and clinician.
She has served as Visiting Principal, Associate Principal and Second Trumpet of the St. Louis
Symphony Orchestra, including their European tour, Carnegie Hall concerts and recording of
Beethoven's Symphony No. 5. She has toured with DIVA (the women's jazz band) and the Florida
Symphony Orchestra. She performs with the Monarch Brass Quintet and Monarch Brass
Ensemble, which she also conducted at the 1997 International Women's Brass Conference. She
has flown to California to do studio recordings for the television series Star Trek: Voyager, at
Paramount and 20th Century Fox studios.
Acknowledged as the first woman trumpeter in a major symphony orchestra, Marie Speziale
retired from the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in November of 1996 after having served as its
Associate Principal Trumpet for thirty-two years (1964-1996). A graduate of the
College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, Ms. Speziale studied with Robert Price, Robert
Braunagel, Eugene Blee and Arnold Jacobs.
Her tenure with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra included playing Associate Principal Trumpet
with the Cincinnati Opera Orchestra, Cincinnati May Festival Orchestra, Cincinnati Ballet
Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. Ms. Speziale has performed under the batons of Igor
Stravinsky, George Szell, Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland, Eugene Ormandy, Eric Leinsdorf
and Max Rudolf. Her very extensive performance experience includes solo appearances with the
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, with
Duke Ellington, and with Dave Brubeck on the Johnny Carson NBC Tonight Show, on the
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra European tour, and at the Interlochen Arts Academy.
Since retiring from the orchestra, she has remained active as a performer, teacher and clinician.
She has served as Visiting Principal, Associate Principal and Second Trumpet of the St. Louis
Symphony Orchestra, including their European tour, Carnegie Hall concerts and recording of
Beethoven's Symphony No. 5. She has toured with DIVA (the women's jazz band) and the Florida
Symphony Orchestra. She performs with the Monarch Brass Quintet and Monarch Brass
Ensemble, which she also conducted at the 1997 International Women's Brass Conference. She
has flown to California to do studio recordings for the television series Star Trek: Voyager, at
Paramount and 20th Century Fox studios.
The Maniacal 4 Trombone Quartet,
Winners, 2009 International
Trombone Quartet Competition
The Maniacal 4 is a Courtois-sponsored,
internationally-acclaimed group of ‘four great
musicians telling one unified, inspiring musical
story after another.’ Hailed as a ‘force to be
reckoned with,’ they have played concerts on
three continents, entertaining audiences with a
wide range of styles and time periods. Well
versed in classical, jazz, Latin, and rock music,
M4 is also at home play with a rhythm section or
other media. M4 performs its concerts almost
exclusively from memory.
Winners, 2009 International
Trombone Quartet Competition
The Maniacal 4 is a Courtois-sponsored,
internationally-acclaimed group of ‘four great
musicians telling one unified, inspiring musical
story after another.’ Hailed as a ‘force to be
reckoned with,’ they have played concerts on
three continents, entertaining audiences with a
wide range of styles and time periods. Well
versed in classical, jazz, Latin, and rock music,
M4 is also at home play with a rhythm section or
other media. M4 performs its concerts almost
exclusively from memory.
Randy Adams, Professor of Trumpet, Sam Houston
State University
Randal Adams is currently a member of the Houston Symphony Orchestra (2001-2002
season), Houston Grand Opera Core Orchestra (since 1984), Theater Under the Stars
Orchestra (since 1991), Sam Houston State University Faculty Brass Quintet and the
Houston Baptist University Novo Faculty Brass Quintet. He is also Assistant Professor of
Trumpet at Sam Houston State, and completed his trumpet studies at the University of
Houston (B.M.) with James Austin and Northwestern University (M.M.) with Vincent
Cichowicz and Arnold Jacobs. Mr. Adams began teaching at SHSU in 1992 and has also
taught at Houston Baptist University and San Jacinto College.
Mr. Adams also performs with the Houston Ballet Orchestra. He has performed with
Opera Illinois, the Victoria Bach Festival, The Texas Music Festival and was an original
member of the Texas Chamber Orchestra and Texas Chamber Brass. During the
Summer months he tours Germany and Austria performing European folk music,
virtuoso cornet solos, and a variety of other musical styles with Alpenfest, with whom he
has appeared on Minnesota Public Radio's Prairie Home Companion show.
State University
Randal Adams is currently a member of the Houston Symphony Orchestra (2001-2002
season), Houston Grand Opera Core Orchestra (since 1984), Theater Under the Stars
Orchestra (since 1991), Sam Houston State University Faculty Brass Quintet and the
Houston Baptist University Novo Faculty Brass Quintet. He is also Assistant Professor of
Trumpet at Sam Houston State, and completed his trumpet studies at the University of
Houston (B.M.) with James Austin and Northwestern University (M.M.) with Vincent
Cichowicz and Arnold Jacobs. Mr. Adams began teaching at SHSU in 1992 and has also
taught at Houston Baptist University and San Jacinto College.
Mr. Adams also performs with the Houston Ballet Orchestra. He has performed with
Opera Illinois, the Victoria Bach Festival, The Texas Music Festival and was an original
member of the Texas Chamber Orchestra and Texas Chamber Brass. During the
Summer months he tours Germany and Austria performing European folk music,
virtuoso cornet solos, and a variety of other musical styles with Alpenfest, with whom he
has appeared on Minnesota Public Radio's Prairie Home Companion show.
Thomas Bacon, French Horn, Summit Brass and St. Louis Brass
Thomas Bacon has held principal horn positions with the Syracuse Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Houston
Symphony and the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestras. He has also performed in "guest" principal positions
with the Berlin Philharmonic, Berlin Opera, Pittsburgh Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony, Chicago Symphony,
Phoenix Symphony, Fort Worth Symphony, and many other orchestras.
As soloist he has performed in Europe, Africa, Asia, North and South America, and been soloist on
international tours with the Amati Ensemble, the Berlin Radio Orchestra, and Mikhail Baryshnikov's White Oak
Dance Project. He has performed concertos with over a hundred orchestras across the United States, and
been guest artist at major music festivals throughout the world. He is also a founding member and vice
president of Summit Brass, America's Premier Large Brass Ensemble. Mr. Bacon also is a member of the St.
Louis Brass Quintet, The Golden Horn, and Opus 90.
Thomas Bacon has held principal horn positions with the Syracuse Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Houston
Symphony and the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestras. He has also performed in "guest" principal positions
with the Berlin Philharmonic, Berlin Opera, Pittsburgh Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony, Chicago Symphony,
Phoenix Symphony, Fort Worth Symphony, and many other orchestras.
As soloist he has performed in Europe, Africa, Asia, North and South America, and been soloist on
international tours with the Amati Ensemble, the Berlin Radio Orchestra, and Mikhail Baryshnikov's White Oak
Dance Project. He has performed concertos with over a hundred orchestras across the United States, and
been guest artist at major music festivals throughout the world. He is also a founding member and vice
president of Summit Brass, America's Premier Large Brass Ensemble. Mr. Bacon also is a member of the St.
Louis Brass Quintet, The Golden Horn, and Opus 90.
Aric Schneller, Director of Jazz Studies,
Sam Houston State University
with the SHSU Jazz Ensemble
Aric Schneller has just completed his first year as Assistant Professor of Music and Director of
Jazz Studies at Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas. A current Doctor of Musical Arts
candidate in Trombone Performance at the University of North Texas, where he studies with
Vern Kagarice, Tony Baker, and Jan Kagarice, Mr. Schneller is a former member of the Grammy
Nominated University of North Texas One O’Clock Lab Band, directed by Neil Slater. Mr.
Schneller can be heard on the One O’Clock Lab Band CD, “Live In Portugal - 1993” as well as
other Down Beat Magazine winning recordings with the UNT Two O’Clock Lab Band such as
“The Transparent Two – 1992” which featured Mr. Schneller as trombone soloist and jazz
arranger. Mr. Schneller’s singing can also be heard on the UNT Jazz Singers CD, “Scrap Book”
directed by Paris Rutherford. Mr. Schneller has worked/performed with such jazz greats as John
Allred, Randy Brecker, Pete Christlieb, John Fedchock, Chuck Findley, Andy Firth, Ingrid Jensen,
Rich Matteson, Diane Reeves, Lynn Seaton, Ed Soph, Allen Vizzutti, Bill Watrous amongst
others.
Mr. Schneller is an artist of many talents with the ability to sing, play, compose, and teach music
at the highest levels. Being a former operatic tenor, Mr. Schneller has sung professionally with
the Ohio Light Opera Co., the Boston Lyric Opera Co., and the del’ Arte Opera Ensemble of New
York City. While living and working in New York City from 2000-2005, Mr. Schneller toured the U.
S. with his trade mark clinic, “The Art of Singing the Trombone” garnering critical acclaim at the
2005 Eastern Trombone Workshop in Washington, DC and the 2005 International Trombone
Festival in New Orleans.
Sam Houston State University
with the SHSU Jazz Ensemble
Aric Schneller has just completed his first year as Assistant Professor of Music and Director of
Jazz Studies at Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas. A current Doctor of Musical Arts
candidate in Trombone Performance at the University of North Texas, where he studies with
Vern Kagarice, Tony Baker, and Jan Kagarice, Mr. Schneller is a former member of the Grammy
Nominated University of North Texas One O’Clock Lab Band, directed by Neil Slater. Mr.
Schneller can be heard on the One O’Clock Lab Band CD, “Live In Portugal - 1993” as well as
other Down Beat Magazine winning recordings with the UNT Two O’Clock Lab Band such as
“The Transparent Two – 1992” which featured Mr. Schneller as trombone soloist and jazz
arranger. Mr. Schneller’s singing can also be heard on the UNT Jazz Singers CD, “Scrap Book”
directed by Paris Rutherford. Mr. Schneller has worked/performed with such jazz greats as John
Allred, Randy Brecker, Pete Christlieb, John Fedchock, Chuck Findley, Andy Firth, Ingrid Jensen,
Rich Matteson, Diane Reeves, Lynn Seaton, Ed Soph, Allen Vizzutti, Bill Watrous amongst
others.
Mr. Schneller is an artist of many talents with the ability to sing, play, compose, and teach music
at the highest levels. Being a former operatic tenor, Mr. Schneller has sung professionally with
the Ohio Light Opera Co., the Boston Lyric Opera Co., and the del’ Arte Opera Ensemble of New
York City. While living and working in New York City from 2000-2005, Mr. Schneller toured the U.
S. with his trade mark clinic, “The Art of Singing the Trombone” garnering critical acclaim at the
2005 Eastern Trombone Workshop in Washington, DC and the 2005 International Trombone
Festival in New Orleans.
Karen Marston, San Jacinto College Central
with the SJCC Brass Choir
Darryl Bayer, San Jacinto College Central
Currently instructor of Low Brass and Director of Bands at San Jacinto College
Central in Pasadena, TX, Karen Marston's performance credits include
appearances with The San Antonio Symphony, The Houston Symphony, The
Houston Masterworks Chorus, The Ebony Opera Guild, The American Radio
Chamber Orchestra, The Texas Brass, The Virginia Wind Symphony, and an
international touring production of A Christmas Carol. Distinctions include a
performance with the winning ensemble of The Emory Remington Trombone
Choir Competition at the 1994 International Trombone Workshop in Minneapolis,
Minnesota, a tour of Europe as principal trombonist with the Festival Orchestra of
the North Carolina School of the Arts, and being named Artist of the Month for KRTS
FM Radio 92.1 Houston for the month of March 2004. Currently, Ms. Marston
performs as a freelance musician in the Houston area, appearing regularly as a
staff musician at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Nassau Bay, where her skills as an
arranger are also frequently employed. Karen Marston holds degrees in trombone
performance from The University of North Texas and Rice University, and is
currently pursuing the degree Doctor of Education in the College Teaching of Music
at Columbia University in New York, NY.
Darryl Bayer was one of the original members of the Texas Brass Ensemble when
the formed in 1985 in Austin, Texas and became the director in 1990 moving the
group to their new home in The Woodlands, TX. Mr. Bayer is principal trumpet of
the Woodlands Symphony and actively freelances in the Houston area. He is band
director for the Woodlands Christian Academy and trumpet teacher for the Tomball
High School and Jr. High bands.
Major performances include solos with both the Boston Symphony and Boston
Pops, and section employment by the Savannah, Charleston, Corpus Christi,
Austin and Houston Symphonies. Pop stars Darryl has worked with include
Destiny's Child, The O'Jays, Michael Bolton, The Temptations, Four Tops and has
a gold record with Little Joe and La Familia.
Darryl Bayer studied at Boston University with Roger Voison along with all the
members of the original Empire Brass and received his Masters Degree under the
direction of James Austin from University of Houston.
