Trumpet Studio

Life in the WVU Trumpet Studio

Music majors study with Dr. Robert Sears in a private lesson setting, in addition to participating in trumpet studio classes.

All Trumpet Studio

Weekly studio classes offer trumpet students a chance to perform for their peers, learn from distinguished guest artists, explore topics in trumpet pedagogy, literature, and history, and enhance their skills and adaptability as both performers and educators.

Performance Trumpet Studio

In addition to their primary studies, performance majors attend a second studio class on a regular basis that addresses various repertoire and techniques. Classical performance majors rehearse orchestral, chamber, and military band excerpts together as a trumpet section when applicable, while performance majors with an emphasis in jazz engage in discussions on tune learning, improvisational strategies, and jazz arranging and composition.

Teaching Philosophy

With the arts in a constant state of change, students pursuing careers in music should have an understanding of appropriate performance techniques for a variety of musical styles. Cross-pollination of musical styles can be found in orchestral, wind band, jazz, pop, and many other settings. Deep exploration of a singular musical style or component is integral to graduate-level study; however, undergraduate study benefits from providing students with a comprehensive understanding of diverse genres—including Baroque, Classical, Swing, Salsa, and other commercial music—which cultivates well-rounded musicianship.

I strongly believe that the twenty-first-century trumpet player needs to be versatile and able to adapt. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in both classical and jazz ensembles, gain experience arranging and composing, and learn how to self-promote their work through website design and social media usage. Becoming a well-rounded, versatile performer and educator increases music collaboration opportunities and marketability for employment.

Command of the trumpet is essential for versatility and finding one’s musical voice. World-renowned pedagogue and tubist Arnold Jacobs said, “The main function of teaching is to develop artistry.” Artistry is not musical superficiality. It is a deep understanding of yourself as a human being and how you relate and connect with the world and others around you.

As a mentor, I help guide students as they search for their musical voice. This is done in part by regularly taking time to assess students’ musical and non-musical interests and career aspirations. Additionally, I emphasize the development of strong music fundamentals to help equip students with the necessary tools and techniques required to express themselves musically. The end goal is to help students become continuous learners throughout their respective careers.

Studio News

• Josh Lugo Zambrano (Current BM in Trumpet Performance) - Lead trumpet with the DCI Troopers at 2025 DCI World Championship.

• Vanderbilt Singleton (Current DMA in Performance) - Principal Trumpet in the 2025 National Intercollegiate Band (Orlando, FL)

• Isaac McCarthy (BA in Music) - Awarded Fellowship and Teaching Assistantship at Ohio State University for Ph.D program in Musicology.

• Isaac McCarthy (BA in Music) - Releases debut folk EP “Everywhere You Were” (May 2025).

• Mark Humbert (BM Music Education Spring 25) - Awarded Graduate Assistantship at Ohio University for MM in Trumpet Performance.

• Tyler Evans (BM Music Education Spring 25) - Accepted into MM program at Carnegie Mellon University with scholarship.

• Ryan Kerwin (MM Music Education Spring 24) - Releases jazz EP “Color.”

• Philip Wilfong (BM Music Education Spring 24) - Awarded Graduate Assistantship at Ohio University for MM in Trumpet Performance.

• Ryan Kerwin (MM Music Education Spring 24) - Adjunct Professor of Trumpet at West Virginia Wesleyan College (Jan 2022 - May 2023).

• Joe Walczyk (Current DMA in Performance) - Recorded trumpet parts for NBC’s 2023 Big Ten Saturday Night sports theme. Every time you tune into a Big Ten Saturday Night football game on NBC this season (Fall 2023), you will hear Joe and some members of his virtual brass group Cinematic Brass.

• Joe Walczyk (Current DMA in Performance) - Advances to the final round of the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra's principal trumpet audition (Fall 2023).

• Cj Rhen (BM Jazz Performance Spring 22) - Releases his original composition for big band, "It'll Be Alright," on major streaming platforms (October 2023).

• Phillip Wilfong (Current BM in Music Education) and Cj Rhen (BM Jazz Performance Spring 22) - Complete summer tour with Aristotle Jones "Appalachian Soul Man."

• Michael Robinson (MM Jazz Pedagogy Spring 23) - Releases debut jazz album "Sounds of the Past | A Requiem."

• Michael Robinson (MM Jazz Pedagogy Spring 23) - Awarded Graduate Assistantship for D.A. program at the University of Northern Colorado.

• Vanderbilt Singleton (Current DMA in Performance) - 2nd Chair in the 2023 National Intercollegiate Band (Orlando, FL)

• Garrett Gorby (BM Performance Spring 22) - Accepted into MM program at Carnegie Mellon University.

• David Riggs (BM Performance Spring 21) - Accepted into MM program at Cincinnati Conservatory of Music.

Contact

Any student interested in studying trumpet at WVU is encouraged to reach out to Dr. Robert Sears at robert.sears@mail.wvu.edu to schedule a complimentary lesson and discuss the program.