Trumpet, French Horn and Trombone Lessons

 

Instructors: Peter McHugh |

Trumpet is a difficult instrument for beginners but it quickly responds to hard work with the right fundamentals. Any child (or adult) can play, and they’ll have more fun if real music is introduced immediately. Scales, arpeggios, technical drills, etc. are all part of building a foundation that allows you to become creative, to improvise and achieve your own sound along the way. Wynton Marsalis, Arturo Sandoval, Clark Terry, to name but a few great trumpeters, all testify to being mesmerized by great players who came before them, even while they were first learning to play a C-scale. Come join us!

Instructor: Peter McHugh  

Training and early career:

Classical trumpet progression taught by my uncle, Raymond Greeley (Air Force Band, Dayton Symphony, Director of the Sacred Heart Band [SHB] - Lowell). Joined SHB as a beginner, learning all the service hymns and marches, show tunes, and pop material arranged for marching and concert band. Exposure to wind ensemble came early! SHB also formed a "Dance Band" that performed big band and dixieland arrangements. Both units gave concerts around the Merrimack Valley area, including the outdoor Shell at Hampton Beach. We also marched every year in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in NYC. After I'd left the band they even made a trip to Ireland for a series of performances.

High School and College:

Solo / 1st Cornet with the Chelmsford High School Marching and Concert Bands. Won a 1st Trumpet seat with the State's East District Concert Band as a senior. Performed in the pit orchestra for all the school’s Broadway musicals. Then on to Harvard University to play Solo / 1st Cornet with their marching and concert bands. Again played in the pit orchestras for several stage productions.

Professional:

Began in high school and continued through college and beyond. Played typically with 3 - 6 piece groups doing college mixers, weddings, corporate parties and other events. There were also occasional church services where brass and choir were called for. And of course at military funerals, Memorial Day and Veteran's Day services calling for "Taps" (trumpeters go everywhere). Continued to play professionally in the region for roughly 10 years after college until returning to grad school to earn an MBA. I'd already begun a career in High Tech.

More Recently:

After various intervals away from music to raise a family and tend to career, I've made a couple “comebacks’. Once to play with the Lowell Summer Concert Band (under David Martins of UMass - Lowell) for a few years. And a second encore to perform with both the Chelmsford Community Band and the Nashoba Valley Community Band. As a side note, I have several siblings who all played trumpet professionally. Over the last eight years we were able to form a family group to do fund-raisers for local elementary schools. We called ourselves "The OWB's" (the old windbags...:) And we were privileged to have had Anita Connerty of Music Elements drum for us!

Contact Peter

Reviews:

Simeon really enjoys his trumpet lesson with Peter. Simeon's band teacher told me how much progress she had seen recently in Simeon's trumpet playing.

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You really are such a wonderful teacher. We totally lucked out having you as his teacher! He is at that age where sometimes we have to really push on everything. I think if you were not the great teacher and kind person that you are, he would have given up on the baritone. We really, really appreciate your patience and enthusiasm.

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Hi Peter,
Thank you so much for your email explaining the progress Haarika had made. Am so happy to hear that from you. I myself could tell the difference too when compared to the beginning when she is in the class. I usually work in the next room and remember how she used to struggle at the beginning and even I was complimenting her recently that she is doing well when she plays. Thanks, Usha

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I spoke with Haarika about how she is doing and she says you are helping her learn and also am able to see little improvement in her before she started the classes and for now.. I am sure she is having fun learning in your class. Thanks for the update Peter!   Thanks, Usha

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Music Elements

160 Turnpike Rd.   Chelmsford, MA 01824

 

Phone: 978-221-5641

 

Please email us for more information

 

Lessons