When Sarah Herbert auditioned for the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, she flat out neglected the inner voice reminding her of the magnitude of her environment.

One of the finest music conservatories in the United States. Studying under the keen and discerning eye of top instructors. Pressure to maintain peak performance at all times.

None of that registered with young Sarah. She blazed her way through that audition, with pure and reckless abandonment. Would that we all could play with that blissful ignorance.

Then school began, and suddenly she became aware of the immense talent surrounding her - not to mention how far she had to go in her own development as a trumpet player.

But she hung in there, and is now professor of trumpet at Western Kentucky University, and has been busy commissioning new works for trumpet and - wait for it - classical guitar quartet!

What began as an experiment, just to see what will happen, has become in her words codified as a burgeoning genre from which new works will be written, and provide fresh opportunities for trumpeters near and far looking to leave their unique imprint on this sometimes busy and crowded world.

In this Trailblazing episode, you'll discover:

-The shy nerdy kid finds her voice playing trumpet...03:09

-Trumpet becomes Sarah's calling in life...10:00

-Sarah the Trailblazer: Getting commissioned to perform with a guitar quartet...18:50

-A new genre is codified for trumpeters - and guitarists - looking for a niche in which to excel...37:15

YouTube links to the two pieces featured in the episode:

Concertino Principessa (Mark Anthony Cruz) https://youtu.be/KTM3eieJMyI

Fin de Fiesta (John Truitt) https://youtu.be/C2O-BQMa918

Guest bio:

Dr. Sarah Herbert is the Assistant Professor of Trumpet and Jazz at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Dr. Herbert teaches applied trumpet, trumpet ensemble, and directs the WKU Jazz Band. She has previously held faculty positions at the University of Wyoming, the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and Miami University Regionals in Hamilton, Ohio.

Dr. Herbert’s performing career has been diverse and includes performances with professional jazz/commercial ensembles, orchestras and chamber groups including Orchestra Kentucky, Evansville Philharmonic, Wyoming Symphony Orchestra, and the University of Wyoming Faculty Brass Quintet. In the Cincinnati area she has performed with the Fillmore Brass Band and Wind Ensemble, Washington Ave Brass Quintet, The Belairs 1950’s Show Band, The Casino Players Ensemble, Bach Chorale Singers, and the Richmond Symphony Orchestra (Indiana).

A native of Portland, Oregon, Herbert completed her Doctor of Music in Trumpet Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music in 2017. She also holds a Master of Music and Certification in Music Education from the University of New Mexico and a Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.

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