Thomas Boulton, trumpet
Specializing in music education and performance
Boulton’s Brass Blog: “Trumpet Cleaning & Care”
0March 21, 2012
This is the third subject of a series I’m writing called “Boulton’s Brass Blog”. In this series, I address common issues, tips, tricks, and helpful advice to those looking to improve or think more critically about their playing of brass and wind instruments.
Over the years, I have received countless inquiries from students regarding how to clean and care for one’s trumpet. I usually don’t get too in-depth because we only have so many minutes in a lesson, and most of them are spent talking about concepts and working through music. Truth be told, having a trumpet that simply “works” isn’t enough; but having an instrument that you maintain regularly will not only lead to less hassles down the road, but ultimately aids in your quest to become a better player. Some of the following information may seem too trivial and elementary to some, but this article is begins for someone with limited knowledge and includes how I take care of my instruments.
Boulton’s Brass Blog: “Have a Routine, and Routinely Break the Routine”
0February 5, 2012
This is the second subject of a new series I’m writing called “Boulton’s Brass Blog”. In this series, I address common issues, tips, tricks, and helpful advice to those looking to improve or think more critically about their playing of brass and wind instruments.
The importance of having some sort of routine is necessary for short and long-term success, however, the definition of ‘routine’ will vary from player to player. For some, the routine might be defined as addressing the same issues every practice session at the exact same tempo in the exact same manner. For others, the routine might be defined as changing up the material on a daily or weekly basis. Whatever the ‘routine’ might be, each player needs to discover what works best for them based on their work habits and learning style. Private teachers can and will help you discover the ways to reach your goals, but only you can know which process will facilitate reaching your optimal efficiency and potential in the practice room. Communicating discoveries with your teacher will help them better understand how you learn and allow them to maximize their ability to coach you – everybody wins! (more…)
Master Class at Rowan University
0February 2, 2012
by Tom Boulton
in Performing
I will be returning to Rowan University on Friday, February 3rd to work with the trumpet students for a majority of the day in their weekly lesson, as well as presenting a master class at 11am. Dr. Bryan Appleby-Wineberg and Prof. George Rabbai are both tremendous players and teachers – and they seem to be doing all of the right things at the music department over there. They have a hard-working studio and there are some really great players emerging from both the undergraduate and graduate program. It’s a pleasure for me to be afforded the opportunity to work with everyone and get to know them further. Rowan University is also home to Atlantic Brass Band (2011 N.A.B.B.A. Championship Winners). Coincidentally, George released one of my favorite CD’s, Muted Bebop and Bryan is a member of Tromba Mundi, recently having taken the group on tour in Europe.
Boulton’s Brass Blog: “The tongue does not move the air.”
0January 31, 2012
This is the first subject of a new series I’m writing called “Boulton’s Brass Blog”. In this series, I address common issues, tips, tricks, and helpful advice to those looking to improve or think more critically about their playing of brass and wind instruments.
Articulation, or “tonguing”, is something that I have struggled with for the majority of my life. It all stems back from the summer of 1992 when I decided I would be a trumpet player in our beginning 6th grade band. I was 10 years old and eager to learn. As both my parents were (and are) trumpet players, we had extra trumpets lying around the house, so the fit seemed somewhat natural. In no time, I was making a sound and figuring out fingerings faster than I was probably ready! One evening after what was probably a few weeks of ‘figuring stuff out’ with the help of parents, I sat down to play them a song. My mom, having been at work during the days of summer, hadn’t really heard me play much. I sat down on the living room sofa, set up my stand, put the horn to my face, and I played my melody (probably “Hot Cross Buns”). She was thrilled, but gently asked the following question: “Are you tonguing?” Coincidentally and little did I know, my private teachers would be asking me similar questions in the next decade. The performance ended up with the young version of me in tears and frustration, which by the way had absolutely nothing to do with my supportive parents. I had no idea what “tonguing” was and after minutes of explanation, I still didn’t comprehend any of it! I played the right notes, I pushed down the correct combination of valves, but what else was there to do?! If I had my way, I would have chopped my tongue off because it was just in the way of my attempt to create a nice round sound anyway! (more…)
Happy New Year 2012!
0January 10, 2012
by Tom Boulton
in Performing
Welcome to 2012! As I believe many do at the end of any calendar year, I spend a lot of time reflecting upon the last 12 months and analyzing the highs, the lows, the failures and goals. Just as in the practice room, I believe it’s important to reflect, set new goals, and ‘reset’ one’s mind and routine in an effort to keep things fresh. This process allows us to constantly move forward.
The last quarter of any year is usually the busiest time for any working musician and I’m very happy to report that 2011 was the busiest yet – hence the lack of posts since October! Within a span of 3 weeks, I managed to travel between Charlotte, North Carolina, Washington DC, Bermuda, and British Columbia, Canada… with the usual trips across North, South, and Central New Jersey, Philadelphia, and New York City. Despite the major mileage, I am very proud to say that none of the students in the trumpet studio missed a single week of lessons – something that is very important to me. I always emphasize the importance of consistency, and being prepared for a weekly lesson is part of that equation for success. (more…)
On the road again
0October 18, 2011
by Tom Boulton
in Uncategorized
It has been an incredibly busy month, which is perhaps rare for musicians in September-October preceding the holiday season when things really gear up. Performances have included shows with Brass Roots Trio at Elmira College in Elmira, New York; Brassworks Brass Quintet (North Jersey based); Symphony in C (formerly Haddonfield Symphony, based out of Camden/Philadelphia); in addition to the usual special occasion church services that pop up around this time of year, including the 100th Anniversary of Our Lady of the Mount Catholic Church in Warren, New Jersey (pictured here). I particularly loved the stone-work of this chapel, but we performed at the more modern (and more size appropriate!) church across the street. (more…)
Brass Roots Trio
0September 22, 2011
by Tom Boulton
in Performing
I am happy to announce that I have been invited to join the internationally touring chamber ensemble, Brass Roots Trio. The group consists of founder Rosetta Senkus-Bacon on piano and my good friend and colleague Dan Wions on horn. Both Rosetta and Dan are tremendous musicians and I am thrilled to be working with them full-time! We have spent a large portion of the summer putting together a few programs to take on tour for the 2011-12 season, and we kick off our performance schedule on Wednesday, September 28th in Flemington, New Jersey. I am excited to keep the performing tradition of Brass Roots Trio to a high standard, preceded by former members Travis Heath and Nathan Warner.
Special thanks to Joel Mikulyak of Joel Alexander Photography for the photo!
Summer is over and Fall is upon us!
0September 1, 2011
by Tom Boulton
in Blog
It has been a long and busy summer with lots of exciting projects completed and many new projects on the horizon – such a long summer in fact that I have neglected this site again! I have so many projects, passions, and responsibilities, that often this site gets put to the bottom of the list. This summer included some of the best musical experiences of my life, finally getting to work one-on-one with some players I idolized as a young student, namely Håkan Hardenberger. He is a masterful technician, musician and teacher – and most importantly, one of the hardest working people I have ever seen. He once again affirms my belief that “talent” is earned through hard work and patience, not granted through genetics or chance.
…and the stage is set.
0August 14, 2011
by Tom Boulton
in Performing
I had th
e great pleasure of performing with composer and conductor Tan Dun at the Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival this year. We performed his own compositions grouped in the Martial Arts Trilogy, a multimedia event that combines live orchestral music with pre-recorded video clips from his collaborations in The Banquet, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon and Hero. There were a few thousand audience members that joined us in celebrating at Lincoln Center on a beautiful summer evening. As it turns out, Tan Dun is quite an amusing man as well as a genius composer. Here is a link to the New York Times Review which gave the performance high praise. 
Performing at Philip Glass’ MATA Festival
0May 12, 2011
by Tom Boulton
in Performing
I’ve been enjoying a lot of exciting freelancing opportunities lately and I’ve barely had anytime to sit at the computer to share them. Tonight I’ll be performing at the MATA Festival with one of my truly favorite performing groups, Metropolis Ensemble. Metropolis has grown so much over the last few years and the projects are just as great as the people within and running the group. It’s a true joy.
Tonight we’ll be performing a few works, but the headliner is Brad Balliett’s The Rake, which borrows the storyline from Stavinsky’s The Rake’s Progress. The show will feature Brad and his twin brother Doug performing as protagonist Tom Rakewell and his inner voice in a hip-hop style frenzy (coined Hip-Hopera) along with multimedia presentation and limited electronic music – the orchestra provides 99% of the music, versus some of the M.E. projects in the past. (There are clips available of the studio version on Brad’s site but I prefer not to link them here as there are some language issues for the younger readers!) The show takes place tonight at 7:30pm at Le Poisson Rouge, 158 Bleecker Street, New York, NY.