Throughout this document you will find recommended performers and ensembles for each of the various wind and percussion instruments. Additionally, there will be reference recordings and links to official websites. It is our hope, that this document serves as a starting point for expanding your awareness of the world-class performers on the various instruments. This is not an exhaustive list, but a starting point. To grow as a musician, you must listen to great players. Your ability to listen intently to others making music is essential to your success. Happy Listening! Happy Practicing! #HereWeGrow #JustGetBetter
Pages are listed in score order: Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Brass Ensembles, Percussion, Resources and References.
Wynton Marsalis
The only musician to win a Grammy in Jazz and Classical recordings in the same year and he did it at the age of 21.
Maurice Andre, 1933-2012
Maurice Andre performing on an E-flat trumpet
Maurice Andre performing on a piccolo trumpet
Chris Martin, Principal Trumpet, New York Philharmonic
A fanfare featuring four of the top Principal Trumpet players in the United States, Chris Martin (New York), Michael Sachs (Cleveland), David Bilger (Philadelphia), Ryan Anthony (Dallas). All four trumpet players are performing on C trumpets, which is the standard trumpet in most orchestras.
Alison Balsom
Gabor Tarkovi
Gabor Tarkovi is performing on a rotary trumpet, which is commonly used in many European and American orchestras for certain repertoire. This is an iconic trumpet solo from Gustav Mahler's Fifth Symphony.
Stefan Dohr
Sarah Willis
Sarah Willis hosts a popular classical music YouTube Live/Podcast entitled, Sarah's Horn Hangouts.
Jacklyn Rainey, Principal Horn, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Dale Clevenger
Radek Baborák
Joe Alessi, Principal Trombone, New York Philharmonic
Martin Schippers
Charlie Vernon, Bass Trombone, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Charlie Vernon performing a showpiece for trombone that uses alto trombone as well as tenor and bass trombone.
Brian Bowman
Note: Dr. Poor played trumpet on this recording.
Demondrae Thurman, Professor, Indiana University
The Euphonium Section of the United States Marine Band, The President's Own
The President's Own is one of the premier military bands in the world. The euphonium is an instrument featured prominently in the wind band literature. These players are considered to be among the best in the world.
Adam Frey
Adam Frey teaches at the University of North Georgia and is a frequent soloist in the Atlanta area.
Mike Roylance, Principal Tuba, Boston Symphony
Gene Pokorny, Principal Tuba, Chicago Symphony
Arnold Jacobs (1915-1998)
Not only a great tuba player, his teaching on breathing and brass performance have influenced multiple generations of brass players around the world. Many of the top players in the world either studied with Mr. Jacobs are were taught by someone who did study with him.
Carol Jantsch, Principal Tuba, Philadelphia Orchestra
Royal Concertgebouw Brass
Chicago Symphony Brass
Boston Symphony Brass
Berlin Philharmonic Brass
Cynthia Yeh, Principal Percussionist, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Evelyn Glennie
She-e Wu
Alan Abel
Joshua Jones
A popular piece for timpani and wind band.
An iconic timpani solo in the orchestral literature.
An example of some combined polyrhythms in the orchestral literature.