Island University Professor Elected to Prestigious International Trumpet Guild Board of Directors
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – A musician’s journey is more than what we see on the stage. It involves rigorous training, hours upon hours of rehearsal, trials and tribulations, networking, and dedication. With a full and colorful trek as an educator and musician thus far – and with many more years ahead – Dr. Mary Thornton, Professor of Music at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, continues to share her expertise and passion for the trumpet with her students in the Department of Music. In recognition of her leadership abilities, Thornton was elected to the Board of Directors of the International Trumpet Guild (ITG).
“It was an honor to be elected to the board of ITG,” said Thornton, whose term will start this October. “The fact that my peers and colleagues, and many of the musicians I respect most in the world, feel that I would do a good job in this role validates a lot of work that I have done over the past 20 years.”
As a member of the board of directors, Thornton will serve on the Editorial Committee, attend the annual international conference, and help oversee the finances of the organization and promotional agendas.
“ITG helps bridge the geography that separates trumpeters around the world. We meet each other, work together, and perform together – even if it’s only once a year,” said Thornton. “This allows us to share our successes and failures as performers and teachers in an atmosphere of mutual respect. We all want the trumpet to remain an essential and vibrant part of the greater musical world, and we want to help each other make our students as successful as possible.”
Last year, Thornton and six of her students traveled to the International Trumpet Guild Conference in San Antonio, where they had the opportunity to perform. Thornton also took the stage with Cancer Blows for the opening Gala Concert with many trumpet luminaries.
“It was definitely one of the highlights of my career,” said Thornton. “Doc Severinsen and my dear friend, Ryan Anthony, principal trumpet of the Dallas Symphony and founder of Cancer Blows, led the concert with many former members of the Canadian Brass, principals of major orchestras, and well-respected trumpet professors from around the country.”
Since joining Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in 2008, Thornton has co-founded and performed in the Corpus Christi Brass Quintet and the innovative trio Drumpetello. She is also the faculty mentor for the Islander Brass Quintet +1 and coordinator for the Harmon A. and Grace W. Dobson Islander Chamber Music Scholarship Program, which includes the Islander Winds as well.
“I love being a part of the Island University. I’m very lucky to have dedicated students that work hard and want to get better every day,” said Thornton. “It is my privilege to help them discover, and learn to advocate for, the huge, beautiful, and never-ending joy that is music.”
The International Trumpet Guild (ITG) is a worldwide organization of trumpeters, formed to promote communication among trumpet players across the globe and to improve the artistic level of performance, teaching, and literature associated with the instrument. ITG is also a primary resource for trumpet performers, teachers, and amateurs to stay up to date on happenings in the trumpet world.
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The International Trumpet Guild (ITG) is a worldwide organization of trumpeters, formed to promote communication among trumpet players across the globe and to improve the artistic level of performance, teaching, and literature associated with the instrument. ITG is also a primary resource for trumpet performers, teachers, and amateurs to stay up to date on happenings in the trumpet world.
