FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WSO Names Manitoba’s Most Passionate Trumpet Player

Winnipeg, MB – Nov 3, 2015 – Today, the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO) selected Dasha Silhova as Manitoba’s most passionate trumpet player from a video submission contest they held called Blow Your Own Horn. The contest was held to coincide with the WSO’s inaugural Trumpetfest, Nov 6-14, where they be bringing in two international trumpet phemons – Australian Jazz star James Morrison and Canadian Brass alumni Joe Burgstaller. Blow Your Own Horn

Blow Your Own Horn asked local trumpet players to submit a short one to three minute video that showcases why they love the trumpet, and them playing the trumpet. Entries were submitted on social media by tagging the WSO on Twitter or Instagram and using #trumpetfest, or posting on the WSO’s Facebook page. The videos were judged on the entertainment of the video and how passionate the players are.

18-year-old orchestral trumpet performance student Dasha Silhova was selected as the winner for her clear passion in entering the contest! She has won four passes to the WSO Trumpetfest, a Pro-Tec trumpet gig bag from Long & McQuade and a private lesson with trumpet virtuoso Joe Burgstaller. Dasha used multiple locations throughout Winnipeg, showcased her playing in Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition and shared her love for trumpet through poster cards.

Shane Hicks was awarded a close second place for his hilarious video trumpet to his love of the trumpet.

TRUMPETFEST OVERVIEW

James Morrison: Trumpet Master

James Morrison joins the WSO in the opening Trumpetfest WSO Air Canada Pops concert, Nov 6-9, which will take the audience through an odyssey of Jazz from Dixieland to Bop, the Birth of the Blues to Birdland. Morrison will be joined by Winnipeg Jazz vocalist Amber Epp. Morrison is, by anybody’s standard, a virtuoso. Besides the trumpet, this multi-instrumentalist also plays trombone, euphonium, flugel horn, tuba, saxophones, double bass and piano. He has performed with many of the Jazz greats including Dizzy Gillespie, Cab Calloway, Woody Shaw, Red Rodney, George Benson, Ray Charles, B.B. King, Ray Brown and Wynton Marsalis to name a few. Ray Brown calls him “The Genius” but Wynton Marsalis said it best: “Man, James Morrison can play!" Royal command performances include two occasions for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth

II and for US Presidents Bush and Clinton at Parliament House in Australia. James has been recognized for his service to the arts in Australia by being awarded a medal of The Order of Australia by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. In 2015, James established the James Morrison Academy of Music in Mount Gambier, South Australia, an innovative school dedicated to teaching jazz and offering an Associate Degree in Music. To have James Morrison perform here in Winnipeg is truly an honour.

Let the Trumpets Resound: Joe Burgstaller

On the WSO Classics side, trumpet virtuoso Joe Burgstaller will perform Hummel’s famed concerto like you’ve never heard it before, Nov 13-14, with guest conductor Jean-Marie Zeitouni. Burgstaller thrills audiences throughout the world, but before he toured worldwide, he was a member of Canadian Brass for eight years and the avant-garde Meridian Arts Ensemble for six years. Burgstaller has also become a clinician with his groundbreaking masterclasses for all instruments called "Change Your Mind, Change Your Playing®." He is Distinguished Faculty at The Peabody Institute (The Johns Hopkins University) in Baltimore, MD, where he teaches trumpet and chamber music.

Plus, there is a local connection with the evening’s program with the descendants of Johann Nepomuk Hummel residing right here in Winnipeg. Hummel had many interesting connections with some of the great composers. As a boy he lived and studied with Mozart and worked as his assistant. He also had a friendly, yet at times turbulent relationship with Beethoven (Hummel had married Beethoven’s ex-girlfriend). Hummel’s descendants – Yvonne Hummel and her son Terry Lacoste - have learned a great deal about their ancestor and have inherited many pieces of art, mementos and instruments (including locks of Beethoven’s hair!). Terry will be discussing all of this during pre-concert chats, Nov 14-15.

Stravinsky’s Petrushka also features the trumpet in its entertaining narrative of a puppet suddenly endowed with life. Typically performed as a ballet, this concert will use images projected on a screen to depict the music’s story with David Moroz on piano. Plus, Canadian composer John Estacio’s Brio is a cinematic treat and a perfect opener for this evening of vivid and visual music.

Trumpetfest Events

Trumpetfest concerts throughout the week, including Canzona’s Celebrating the Baroque Cantata (Nov 8), Mârdi jazz presents the PRZM ensemble (Nov 10), the Winnipeg Wind Ensemble features WSO musicians and many others in Trumpets Galore (Nov 11), Richard Gillis, trumpet, and Will Bonness, piano, perform a free concert at the Winnipeg Public Library (Nov 12), and Winnipeg Jazz Orchestra presents Trumpet Summit (Nov 14-15).

Trumpetfest passes start at $79 (regular), and $59 for students.

Full details at wso.ca/trumpetfest

Air Canada Pops Series Friday, Nov 6 - 8:00 p.m. James Morrison: Trumpet Master Saturday, Nov 7 - 8:00 p.m. Centennial Concert Hall Sunday, Nov 8 - 2:00 p.m. Julian Pellicano, conductor James Morrison, trumpet and more! Amber Epp, jazz vocalist Pop Series Sponsor:

Presenting Media Sponsor:

Official Radio Station of the WSO Air Canada Pops:

MUSICIANS IN THE MAKING Pre-concert performance on the Piano Nobile. Friday, 7:15 p.m. Salvation Army Heritage Park Temple Brass Band Saturday, 7:15 p.m. Rupertsland Brass Band Sunday, 1:15 p.m. The German Club Band Classics B Friday, Nov 13 - 8:00 p.m. Let the Trumpets Resound Saturday, Nov 14 - 8:00 p.m. Centennial Concert Hall Jean-Marie Zeitouni, conductor Joe Burgstaller, trumpet David Moroz, piano

Pre-concert chat on the Piano Nobile begins at 7:15 p.m. MUSICIANS IN THE MAKING Pre-concert performance on the Piano Nobile. Friday, 7:35 p.m. Brandon University Low Brass Ensemble Saturday, 7:35 p.m. University of Manitoba Brass Quintet Official Radio Station of the WSO Classics:

Tickets start at $25 and are available through the WSO Box Office: 204.949.3999 or wso.ca or Ticketmaster: 1.855.985.ARTS and Ticketmaster.ca

About WSO: The WSO is integral to Winnipeg's rich cultural life, delighting more than 225,000 audience members each year with innovative programming and musical excellence. The WSO presents educational programs for more than 40,000 students annually and tours to communities across Manitoba.

-30- MEDIA: For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact:

Sarah Panas, Marketing & Communications Coordinator p. (204) 949-3970 f. (204) 956-4271 e: spanas@wso.mb.ca