John Adler: trumpet, jazz studies

John Adler, assistant professor of trumpet/jazz studies, composition, theory, comes to Virginia Tech from the University of Miami where he is currently finishing a DMA in trumpet performance. A native of Reno Nevada, Mr. Adler completed a double major in music performance and jazz studies, composition, theory from the University of Nevada-Reno and a MM in music performance from the University of Oregon. Mr. Adler’s principal teachers include Dr. Larry Engstrom, George Recker, and former principal trumpet of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Craig Morris. Mr. Adler is an active professional musician. Recently, he was one of six Americans invited to Paris to compete in the 2006 Maurice Andre Trumpet Competition, as well as being a featured soloist with the Chamber Orchestra of Southwest Virginia playing Shostakovich's Concerto #1 for Piano, Trumpet, and Strings. In 2004, he appeared as a featured soloist with the Miami Youth Symphony performing Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto #2. His orchestral experience includes performances with the Roanoke Symphony, the Eugene Symphony, the Palm Beach Pops, the Miami Symphony, the Oregon Mozart Players, and while residing in Nevada, he frequently performed with the Reno Philharmonic. Mr. Adler’s additional awards include being named DownBeat magazine’s 2003 “Best Classical Instrumentalist,” and winning the 2003 University of Oregon Concerto Competition.

In the jazz area, John has extensive experience playing lead trumpet and improvising. His playing experience includes performances with jazz greats Maria Schneider, John Hollenbeck, Conrad Herwig, and Bobby Shew, as well as playing lead trumpet in the Jaco Pastorius Big Band, the Denis Noday Big Band, the Reno Jazz Orchestra, and the Grammy Award Winning University of Miami Concert Jazz Band. Additionally, he is a founding member of the contemporary jazz group Seven Minus, which has recently released its first CD.

At Virginia Tech, John’s duties include teaching the trumpet studio of around 15 students, directing the VT Jazz Ensemble II, teaching a course in Jazz Improvisation, coaching both chamber music and jazz combos, and directing the VT Trumpet Ensemble.