Episode 47: "Simplify" A conversation with Kyle Milsap

Trumpet Teacher Talk

Episode 47: "Simplify" A conversation with Kyle Milsap

Kyle Millsap is Assistant Professor of Trumpet & Jazz at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. In addition to applied teaching duties, Dr. Millsap directs Jazz Band 3, the TAMUK Trumpet Ensemble, the Jazz Trumpet Ensemble, and performs with the Kingsville Brass Quintet. His performances span orchestral, chamber, and jazz/commercial idioms, including opportunities to perform in England, Germany, Mexico, and throughout the United States. He has performed with The Temptations, Mannheim Steamroller, Johnny Mathis, the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Al Kapone, Jon Mayer, Rufus Reid, Kirk Whalum, Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Eroica Ensemble, Memphis Repertory Orchestra, Germantown Symphony Orchestra, Corinth Symphony Orchestra, Wichita Symphony Orchestra, Orquesta Sinfonica UANL, Jazz Orchestra of the Delta, Memphis Jazz Orchestra, as well as productions with Ballet Memphis.

Theater credits include performances for nearly a dozen national touring company productions, including The Addams Family, Anything Goes, Chicago, Dreamgirls, High School Musical, South Pacific, and Young Frankenstein. He has performed at halftime for the NBA's Memphis Grizzlies, the Elvis Presley 35th Anniversary concert, and been seen on BET television. He has been frequently heard on the Memphis Public Radio WKNO Live Lunch series. He has been a featured soloist with the Corpus Christi Wind Symphony and the TAMUK Wind Symphony.

A proponent of new music for trumpet, Dr. Millsap has commissioned and premiered several new works for trumpet: Shalom, Salaam, Peace… (2010) written for two trumpets and organ, Scatter the Darkness (2011) for trumpet and organ and A Whisper of Angels (2012) for trumpet quartet and narrator, 2x4: Domestic Tranquility (2013) for trumpet and flugelhorn duet, Cuando las ranas crien pelo (2014) for trumpet sextet. His recording of these compositions will be released on the album Scatter the Darkness: New Music of Stanley Friedman. He can be heard as principal trumpet with the Memphis Repertory Orchestra on their recordings Dvorak & Tchaikovsky and Voyagers, and as lead trumpet on the Southern Comfort Jazz Orchestra recording Voices.

Dr. Millsap has written articles and reviews for the International Trumpet Guild Journal and serves as a music reviewer. He has published compositions and arrangements through Cimarron Music and Triplo Press. He has performed at the International Horn Symposium and presented at the Texas Music Educators Association and Tennessee Music Educators Association conventions. He is a member of the Artist Faculty for the National Trumpet Competition.

Dr. Millsap holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Memphis, Master of Music degree from the University of North Texas, and Bachelor of Music degree from Wichita State University. Prior faculty appointments include the University of Memphis and Murray State University. He is a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Jazz Educators Association, and Pi Kappa Lamba.

Dr. Millsap is a Yamaha Performing Artist, as well as an artist for Torpedo Bags.

For more information on the trumpet studio or Dr. Millsap, visit tamuktrumpets.com or millsaptrumpets.com.