ADVENT II

We welcome this morning the ‘natural’ trumpeter Nate Mayfield…! Nate is playing a precursor of the modern trumpet, one without valves – the delicate, sweet and bright timbre of which early composers had in mind….

A Texas native with international roots, Natel Mayfield received his education at The Juilliard School, Columbia University, Interlochen Arts Academy, Tanglewood Institute, and the Hochschule für Musik in Karlsruhe, Germany. An International prizewinner (ITG Solo Competition, Aspen Concerto Competition, Level 1 winner of the NFAA Arts Competition, etc.), Nathaniel was also selected as a Presidential Scholar by the Presidential Commission on the Arts under President Clinton. Upon returning to the U.S. from a Fulbright Scholarship to Germany, Nathaniel was appointed Director of Music for the Austin School for the Performing and Visual Arts (www.theaustinschool.org). In addition to performing around the world, he has presented trumpet masterclasses (baroque and modern) at such institutions as The Juilliard School and Eastman School of Music. In 2008, he was chosen as a baroque trumpet artist at the International Trumpet Guild Convention in Banff, Canada, as well as judge for the National Trumpet Competition in Washington, D.C. While not traveling, he resides at home in Texas with his wife Ulrike, and can be contacted anytime through his website, www.natemayfield.com.

Nate and Julia and Matthew offer a wonderful piece from one of Handel’s ‘secular’ cantatas, the text of which – something to the effect of:

Let all the brassy, warring voices cry…
That peace must come from the olive branch!

And so, it is one of those pieces which, in its noble sentiment, is perfectly ‘Sacred’ for use in this morning’s Advent observance…

Nate is also part of the orchestra in this afternoons presentation of Handel’s MESSIAH, conducted by Matthew Dirst, at 3:00pm at the Moores Opera House, University of Houston…. This is something not to be missed!

-Keith Weber