Lone Star State Trumpet Guild Performs at Texas Music Educators Association Convention

The Lone Star State Trumpet Guild presented a showcase performance at the annual convention of the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) in San Antonio on February 13, 2026.

The ensemble featured eleven players performing on a wide assortment of instruments from the trumpet family, from piccolo to bass trumpet. The variety of styles, instrumental combinations, and sound colors was eagerly appreciated by the audience.

The program included two world premieres written by guild members: Zock Bu by Andy Patterson and Trumpet Time Travel by Bernie Scherr. Scherr’s Fanfare and Hymn also received its Texas premiere. An arrangement of Edvard Grieg’s “Arabian Dance” from Peer Gynt by John Irish featured all eleven members covering the full range of the trumpet panoply. Gary Slechta’s Latin-inspired version of Théo Charlier’s famed Etude No. 2, titled “Charlier Dos,” introduced intricate rhythmic and harmonic passages. In keeping with its Texas setting, the group also included a medley of music from well-known western films (Blazing Saddles, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, and The Magnificent Seven).

The ensemble concluded with its traditional closer, Trumpets Take Texas by James Olcott, which features Texas favorites such as “Deep in the Heart of Texas,” “San Antonio Rose,” and “Yellow Rose of Texas.” The performance was met with foot tapping and enthusiastic applause from the audience. (Source: John Irish)

Personnel (alphabetical order):

David Amlung

Eric Baker

Jeff Cottrell

Ben Fairfield

Jared Hunt

John Kennedy 

Jay Lester

Mike Lunney

Andy Patterson 

William Pratt

Bernie Scherr