John Hagstrom in conversation with Philip Biggs

I
make no secret of the fact that John’s illustrious career, as a professional have inherited. I have learned lots from
Chicago is one of my favourite musician, instrument designer, teacher, so many of the previous trumpet players
cities in the world, so a spring historian - in fact a complete resource in the CSO. Each of them has added
was certainly in my step as I made my centre. something to the sound of the orchestra
way the few hundred yards along and I have worked to incorporate
Michigan Avenue to Orchestra Hall as many of those qualities into my
after dropping the bags off in my playing as possible. It is definitely a
hotel. It’s John Hagstrom that I am full time job! I still feel so lucky to
about to interview and quite frankly, have had the chance to be part of this
I can’t wait. team of players. No matter how much
work one does to learn and improve,
John Hagstrom, 17 years a member of
there is always so much more to be
the world famed brass section of the
accomplished. As Bud Herseth used to
Chicago Symphony and a man who has
say when we would talk about this - ‘It
such a width and range of knowledge
never ends!’ ”
of all things brass. I first met John at
the MidWest Clinic back in December It’s a well documented fact that
and found what he had to say so John has worked very closely with
compelling that I vowed that at the first the Yamaha Corporation to create
possible opportunity I would attempt to new trumpet designs. “Working with
meet up with him to find out more and Yamaha is such a pleasure,” John tells
share it with all Brass Herald readers. me. “Yamaha has a great capacity for
creativity. I don’t pretend - nobody at
John has just completed a gruelling
Yamaha pretends - that designing a
rehearsal in Orchestra Hall with
trumpet is an easy process. I started
Ricardo Muti and I wonder if following
working with Yamaha in 2000
a hard afternoon’s work he may rather
and have helped to create several
just wish to wind down and relax. Not
professional trumpet designs that
a bit of it - John was the consummate
include their top selling Chicago Artist
host; he couldn’t wait to start the John Hagstrom. Model series Bb and C trumpets. I have
interview and was most gracious.
also worked with them to create a C
He found a vacant practise room in the John joined the Chicago Symphony as 4th cornet designed for orchestral playing,
bowels of Orchestra Hall and the next Trumpet in 1996 and in 1997 won the as well as an Eb/D trumpet and Bb/A
three hours literally flew by. 2nd Trumpet position. This was following piccolo trumpet.” As reported in the
As I walk with John through the a year as Principal Trumpet of the May issue of The Brass Herald, Yamaha
corridors, I see so many of the brass Wichita Symphony Orchestra in Kansas. has very recently brought a brand new
section staying on after the rehearsal. Prior to Wichita, John was the Principal Chicago Artist Model C Trumpet to the
Hey! There’s Gene Pokorny - he’s setting Trumpet of United States Marine Band market. John was once again central to
up for more personal practise. Always, so in Washington, D.C. This is some career this new model and describes it as:
friendly and welcoming, he allows me to pathway! John was Principal of “The incorporating the best of what we
interrupt the practise for a few moments President’s Own” from 1993-1995, having have learned from each of the previous
and speaks of a visit to the UK in the fall joined the Marine Band in 1989. John trumpet design projects, and lots of new
where he will be seeing our mutual friend tells me when he started there were still ideas that have been made possible with
and Brass Herald columnist, Jonathan musicians in the band from the Vietnam Yamaha’s recent advances in prototyping
Rees. We turn a corner and there is Chris War days. and manufacturing technology. It is by far
Martin, who I will be spending time with Turning to life in the fast lane of world the best yet.”
the following week at the International famed orchestras, I put it to John that if Then John says: “Philip, do you
Trumpet Guild Conference in Grand you wish to live a long and successful life remember me telling you last December
Rapids. There are wonderful brass sounds and have the God given ability, the best about Room 428 in the Fine Arts Building
filtering out from many of the rooms. way to achieve this is to join one of the and would you like to see it?” My answer
It’s for good reason that the Chicago most revered brass sections in the world. is an emphatic Yes and Yes. On our way
Symphony brass section “The predecessors in down Michigan Avenue, John tells me
is world renowned. No each of the positions Arnold Jacobs acquired the room - which
rushing off after the of the CSO brass is a teaching studio - back in 1973 and
rehearsal has finished section have left big literally thousands of brass students
- a commitment and shoes for us to fill!” have passed through this studio in their
singular purpose you John explains. “I can’t pursuit of excellence. “When the studio
can feel, almost touch - I speak for any of the became available, the owner of the Fine
think you get the idea! other players except Arts Building was considering renting
Right, down to the to tell you that we all it to an architectural firm that was
interview with the man have a great respect trying to expand into a few more rooms
I have been so looking for the tradition on the fourth floor. There is no other
forward to featuring of the Chicago space outside of Orchestra Hall that has
in The Brass Herald - Symphony Orchestra more of a connection with the Chicago
John Hagstrom. We brass sound, and Symphony brass tradition,” continues
cover so many aspects we do our best to John, “so eleven years ago, I took the
of brass performance John Hagstrom’s first solo pass on the energy obvious step and rented it myself.” We
and music and much of performance in 1975. and inspiration we really are on an adventure here; entering

20 The Brass Herald August 2013

the main reception beginning instruments in
we pass through the the fourth grade in south
lobby and John rings Elmhurst. After about four
the elevator bell. What weeks he called my mother
happens next is like and told her I wasn’t doing
a scene from a 1930s very well and perhaps I
American movie. We should consider quitting!
wait, the lift arrives There were 21 other
and involuntarily I fourth graders also starting
move forward towards the cornet that year and
the door. John politely perhaps he was just trying
stops me, and firstly to get the band down to
the inside door and a more manageable size.
then the outside door Even so, I was devastated
are slowly opened, and wanted to do whatever
revealing the elevator it would take to improve.
attendant who is seated He recommended a record
on a stool in the lift! (which is a flat black disc
John tells me that this made of vinyl) containing
is the last manually simple trumpet melodies
operated elevator in that also included the
Chicago. I look around sheet music with which to
at the internal decor John Hagstrom as part of a cornet trio soloing with “The President’s Own” play along. I worked with
and marvel at what I United States Marine Band as part of their 1992 National Concert Tour. The other that record almost every
cornetists are Richard Lehman (left), Frederick Marcellus (right), and conductor
see - and we haven’t Timothy Foley. day and after a few months
reached Room 428 yet. he called my mother again
The ornate wooden splendour coupled strong - and it still is! In the fourth grade to say that I was doing much better! I
with the marvellous masonry all over each student had the opportunity to think that early experience was crucial for
this 1901 building is a sight well worth start to play an instrument. I chose the me to stay motivated later. Many people
beholding. We arrive at Room 428; on the cornet, which was the closest thing they think that motivation comes from always
door is large notice, a very moving and had to the trumpet. The cornet is a little telling someone how well they are doing
powerful statement about Arnold Jacobs easier to hold for a fourth grader and no matter what the truth really is. I had
from the address that Gene Pokorny gave for this reason they didn’t start students to learn early on that I could actually be
at the dedication of the Arnold Jacobs on the trumpet until a few years later. doing poorly even though I was making a
Principal Tuba Chair in October of 2001. The reason I was interested was that I strong effort. Trying hard on its own does
had seen Doc Severinsen play incredible not guarantee success!
Inside the room it’s like a museum
trumpet solos on television and I wanted I was very lucky that many of the people
dedicated to the man who joined the
to make that kind of sound myself. I’m teaching private trumpet lessons locally
Chicago Symphony in 1944 and one of
sure that thousands of other kids started in Elmhurst were also accomplished
the creators of the Chicago Symphony
for the same reason, but we all learned trumpet players. In high school I was
Brass sound. The chair that Mr Jacobs’
on that first day of trying to play that fortunate to study with Rick Henly and
used in this room for so many years is
sounding like Doc Severinsen was going Steve Hendrickson, both of whom had
also on display. The walls are adorned
to be much harder than we thought! been members of the Civic Orchestra of
with pictures and quotations about Mr.
Jacobs from those who worked with him, PB What was your early music education Chicago and students of Adolph Herseth.
including former CSO music director and who were your teachers? They both were also very honest teachers
Sir Georg Solti. How right it is that this JH My first teacher was Duane Tutaj, who and challenged me to do more than
great man’s legacy is preserved - and taught lessons to each of the students just get the right notes when I played. I
so refreshing bearing in mind that was studying with Steve Hendrickson
in today’s world so much of the past when he won his job in the National
which is good seems to be discarded as Symphony Orchestra in 1981, and he
the earliest opportunity. So, now to the taught me also how much work goes
serious business of the interview. into winning a professional audition.
PB John, you were born and raised in PB You studied at Eastman School of
the Chicago area. Were you born into a Music and then Wichita State University.
musical family? JH I was fortunate in my senior year
JH My parents were not professional of high school to study with William
musicians, but they were very Scarlett, the CSO’s assistant principal
supportive of my aspirations to trumpeter from 1966 until 1994. He
become a musician. In some ways was very helpful as a teacher and he
this was an advantage for me in that also recommended that I study at the
playing music was something that I Eastman School of Music. I studied
had decided to do, and not something with Charlie Geyer and Barbara Butler
that I was supposed to do to live up to at Eastman, and they were both very
a parent’s expectation or to follow in helpful to me, as they have also been
their footsteps. for many other trumpeters since! I
spent five years at Eastman and played
PB How did the trumpet find you? in a brass quintet the entire time. It
JH I grew up in the western Chicago was that experience that prepared
John Hagstrom as the featured soloist with “The
suburb of Elmhurst and the public President’s Own” United States Marine Band on me most effectively for professional
school music programme was very March 15, 2010. playing and especially for playing

The Brass Herald August 2013  21

second trumpet. I also attended Wichita those years. I always
State University after Eastman, which felt like a “small
has a graduate teaching assistantship potato” compared
that includes playing second trumpet to those guys and
in the faculty brass quintet and in the the memory of
Wichita Symphony Orchestra. Many that time keeps me
professional trumpet players have working hard still
gotten their start from that position, today. People often
including David Hickman, Stephen tell me that they
Jones, Jeff Curnow, Jerry Keehner and are impressed by
Fred Marcellus! It is rare for a student my work ethic, but
to be given the responsibility to uphold I think my work
professional standards on a constant basis habits are still less
and especially the experience of playing impressive than
in the Wichita Brass Quintet helped what I witnessed
me to prepare effectively for playing as I watched these
professionally. other Eastman
John Hagstrom with Adolph Herseth in 2003. Photo: Todd Gustafson
Listening and matching as you perform students!
is not easy, and without playing in small PB Following graduation, you accepted the for a week and teach classes and
chamber groups it is difficult to learn the invitation to join the “The President’s Own” individual lessons for all of the Marine
skills needed to play and communicate United States Marine Band in Washington Band members. I attended every minute
with others. Most of what a player does D.C. and spent six years with this world of every lesson and class he taught that
in an orchestra consists of playing very famous band, a few years of which were week, and all of those sessions were also
simple (but not necessarily easy) music as Principal Trumpet. This must have been the basis for Brian Frederickson’s book
perfectly in context with others on little such an exciting period in your life. about Arnold Jacobs titled Song and
to no rehearsal. The sensitivity and JH It was a fantastic opportunity to start Wind. The things I learned from Arnold
agility to do that does not come from to apply all that I had learned at Eastman Jacobs that week further transformed my
practicing excerpts and many players who and at Wichita State. I had also studied playing and I am eternally grateful for
are successful at auditions find out that in my last year at Eastman additionally how he helped me to see how I needed
keeping a job is a matter of developing with Vincent DiMartino. Lots of the ideas to adjust my playing to get a more
complementary ensemble skills in he taught me helped to make sense out orchestrally vocal sound.
addition to the individual virtuosity that of the other teaching I had received. I The time in the Marine Band was perfectly
helped them to win the audition. My had learned lots about musicianship at suited for practicing and then applying
adaptability as a player helped me to Eastman, but I still had not really figured all that I was able to achieve. I was also
keep my job in the CSO and part of why out as much as I needed to about the fortunate to have had many opportunities
Adolph Herseth was comfortable enough basic fundamentals of how trumpet to solo with the band in Washington and
with me to allow me to play second to playing works. Vince is one of the best also on their national concert tours. Those
him during his final seasons as principal teachers for helping students understand experiences were extremely helpful for
trumpet. trumpet fundamentals and part of what me to learn how to practice effectively on
PB Am I correct that Phil Snedecor was he also helped me to understand was that tour and play repertoire over and over in a
a friend and colleague when you were at I had lots of work ahead of me to develop way that can still be inspiring to listeners,
college? the weaker areas in my tone production! even though I might be personally bored
JH Yes. Phil was one of the role models In August of 1991, the Marine Band hired with the music. Playing patriotic music
other Eastman students tried to emulate, Arnold Jacobs to come to Washington for veterans (often in attendance at
and still one of the most talented and Marine Band concerts) will teach you the
versatile professional players today. As lesson that performing music is for the
a student he was playing lead trumpet, audience and that playing is not always
playing in Eastman’s fellowship brass for your own amusement! Working
quintet, playing prominent parts in in the White House playing for the
the Eastman Wind Ensemble and President of the United States is also a
Philharmonia, and also writing and great honour. The Marine Band is often
arranging music! If you go back and present for the President’s speeches
listen to the ‘Carnival’ cornet solo CD around Washington, playing for the
Wynton Marsalis recorded with the crowds as the secret service is securing
Eastman Wind Ensemble in 1984, the the room for the President’s arrival and
most stylish trumpet playing in the departure. The band has the opportunity
accompaniments is coming from Phil to hear the entirety of the President’s
Snedecor! He was in the same class speeches and not just the sound bites
with two other players who have also played back on the news. I learned lots
gone on to great accomplishments - from listening to (Sr.) President Bush
Jeff Beal and Doug Prosser. Doug is and President Clinton speak.
currently the principal trumpet of the
PB Back in December you kindly showed
Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and
me the “Trumpets that Work” 2013
Jeff is an award winning composer of
Calendar. If I may say, I find this and the
film and television music. As inspiring
concept quite ingenious. A great story
as it is to study with any teacher,
each month and we all have 30 days to
it is perhaps even more motivating
study it.
for students to learn from the other John Hagstrom and Chicago Symphony Orchestra
students, and this was certainly the principal trumpeter Christopher Martin. JH I have a pretty big collection of
case for me studying at Eastman in Photo: Todd Rosenberg vintage trumpets, most of them coming

22 The Brass Herald August 2013

from the period of 1900 to about 1940. and forth to prototype and test trumpets
My collection was initially inspired by we had built as experiments. We worked
Adolph Herseth telling me stories about hard for several years and it wasn’t until
the trumpets he started on. He began 2003 that we finally arrived on a design
playing on a Conn 22B Bb trumpet that would be the Chicago Artist Model
built in the 1920s. I had no idea what C trumpet. We finished the Chicago
that was, so I got one and had it totally Artist Model Bb in 2005, the Orchestral
restored. I couldn’t play it very well and C cornet in 2006, Custom Eb/D trumpet
I brought it to work to show to Bud. He in 2007 and the Custom Bb/A piccolo
picked it up and immediately could play trumpet in 2008. All of those projects
it beautifully. That experience taught me helped us to learn more about trumpet
that there just might be some important design and several more years of
lessons to be learned from older experiments have gone into the “next
instruments that I hadn’t considered. generation” of the Chicago Artist Model
Little by little I have built my collection C trumpet, which is becoming available
and I thought that a calendar might be a now.
nice way to share interesting background It is important for me to emphasize that
information in a format that could be just any successful trumpet design is a sum
enough to interest others, but not too total of many people’s efforts coming
much - because there just isn’t room! together and the part I have played
PB Thanks so much for the sneak preview with Yamaha is to test the experimental
of the 2014 calendar. It looks fantastic prototypes in the orchestra and also
John. As well as new topics each month, alone on the stage of Orchestra Hall. I
are there any new innovations we can look have also helped them to incorporate
forward to seeing? details present in some vintage trumpets
JH In the 2014 “Trumpets That Work” John Hagstrom in Room 428. that can be helpful within their current
calendar, I have expanded the depth designs. I have worked very hard always
design work to incorporate all of the to keep the process impartial and free
of the stories about players and makers
information and pictures into each page. of prejudice for or against whatever
associated with each instrument.
If you haven’t seen the book Nick has we might be testing. I have never been
The photography of each instrument
written about pocket cornets, you should compensated for the work I have done
is improved and many pages have
get one. It’s really great! and that is at my insistence so that I will
additional images featuring the bell
engravings, which on many of the PB Turning to your innovative work with never feel the necessity to play a Yamaha
featured instruments is quite detailed the Yamaha Corporation, how and when trumpet unless it is the preferable choice
and beautiful. Many of the trumpets did this commence? for the tasks of my job in the CSO or as a
have connections with Chicago and the JH I started working with Yamaha when soloist.
Chicago Symphony. Most people don’t they hired Bob Malone to help them in PB It was such a great experience to
realize that Chicago has been where the year 2000. I met Bob for the first time be taken to Room 428 in the Fine Arts
many of the most influential trumpet in the summer of 1986 when I played in Building, the former Arnold Jacobs’
and cornet designs have come from. the College Band in Disneyland out in teaching studio. Thank you so much for
Steve Winans did a great job as the California. He worked on my C trumpet, doing this. Why was it important to you to
photographer for this project, and Nick and it really helped me to improve. I had keep the room on? It’s almost like a shrine
DeCarlis has also done fantastic graphic really struggled with my C trumpet before to the great man.
that and I kept in touch with him
JH Well, my intention is to pay homage to
from then on to keep learning about
the kindness and commitment of Arnold
things that could help improve my
Jacobs. Some people almost worship him
trumpets. Bob did some incredibly
as though he was divine and although
extensive research in the 1980s that
those people may have good intentions, I
formed the basis of his leadpipe
think there is an amount of adulation that
designs and trumpet conversions.
can cause more problems than it solves.
Some of the most incredible
Arnold Jacobs was a thoughtful and
trumpet playing that I was inspired
curious person who applied his talents
by in the 1980s came from Tom
as best as he knew how - to help others.
Stevens, Håkan Hardenberger
Where information was lacking, he did
and Ole Edvard Antonsen. All of
his own research and discovered things
these players were playing on
that helped players to make sense of their
instruments with Malone leadpipes
experiences playing their instruments and
and/or on trumpets that had been
making music. In the same way, and as
completely overhauled by Bob.
good students of his, we must also make
As innovative as Bob was in those
sense of new information and stand on
years, he was still struggling with
the foundations he and other dedicated
the obstacle of the inconsistency
players and teachers have laid for all of
of parts incorporated into many
us.
trumpets. When he started working
for Yamaha, he finally had a way In the October issue of The Brass Herald
for his innovative design features to John Hagstrom will be enlightening us
be duplicated consistently. Yamaha on his illiustrious professional orchestral
was also located at that time in career, more on the Yamaha Chicago
John Hagstrom with Bob Malone in Beijing, China Grand Rapids, Michigan and it was trumpets, his teaching career, his thoughts
in 2011. relatively easy for us to travel back on teaching and much more.....

The Brass Herald August 2013  23