William Adam (trumpeter)

For other people named William Adam, see William Adam (disambiguation).

William A. Adam
Born	October 21, 1917 Kansas City, Kansas
Died	Bloomington, Indiana
Occupation(s)	Trumpeter, Lecturer, Pedagogue
Instruments	Trumpet

William Alexander "Bill" Adam (October 21, 1917 – November 25, 2013) was an American trumpeter, respected pedagogue, and Professor Emeritus at Indiana University. He was highly analytical as a teacher, but always avoided discussing the mechanical aspects of trumpet playing with a student. Instead he "taught" by demonstration and by explanation in terms of sound. In his own words, "If your mind leaves the sound of the horn, obstacles will appear."

He gave many lectures throughout his life, but never wrote a book or article on his unconventional approach to trumpet. He believed such a medium was against the very nature of his teaching of trumpet. The only official documentation of his approach in a three-videotape series, A New and Different Way of Getting More Music out of Trumpet. His approach is carried on by his former students, many of whom hold positions at music schools throughout the U.S. and around the world.

He died on November 25, 2013 in Bloomington, Indiana.

Notable former students

• Chris Botti
• Randy Brecker
• Jerry Hey
• Miroslav Bukovsky
• John Rommel Indiana University
• John Head - Atlanta Symphony
• Robert Burns Jr. (of Earth, Wind & Fire)
• Pat Harbison - Indiana University
• Larry Hall
• Charley Davis
• Mark Van Cleave
• Karl Sievers - University of Oklahoma
• Greg Wing - Morehead State University
• John Harbaugh - University of Central Washington
• Bob Platt - Berlin Philharmonic
• Jay Coble (University of South Florida)
• Kevin Kjos (Kutztown University)
• Mark Wilcox (McMurry University)
• James Stokes (Appalachian State University)
• Joe Phelps (Appalachian State University)
• Robert Slack (Citrus College)
• Robert Baca (University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire)
• Mike Hackett (University of North Carolina - Charlotte)
• Mike Hackett (University of - Charlotte)
• Darren Barrett (Jazz Musician - Berklee College of Music)
• Dennis Schneider (University of Nebraska)
• Grant Manhart (Northern State University)
• Gil Hoffer (The United States Army Band "Pershing's Own")

See also

• 20th century brass instrumentalists
• List of trumpeters

References

• William A. Adam (subject), John Harbaugh (host), Stewart Aull (camera), A New and Different Way of Getting More Music out of Trumpet, Fairbanks, Alaska: Stewart Aull/Moving Images (1997) (Videocassette), 3 tapes OCLC 38589681
  1. Interview (90 min.)
  2. Pedagogy (84 min.)
  3. Lecture (82 min.)

External links

• Bill Adam Tribute Site
• Presentation of 2004 ITG Award of Merit and summary of lecture
• Bill Adam forum Discussion of the Bill Adam approach at trumpetherald.com