Trumpet artist Robert Kase has been commissioned to compose a work for the Alumni Association of his alma mater, the University of North Texas (UNT) in Denton, Texas.

Kase, professor and chair of the Department of Music at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, has written "Fanfare for 20 Trumpets" in honor of his former trumpet professor, John Haynie.

Haynie, professor emeritus of music, retired from UNT in 1990 after teaching for more than 40 years. His students have achieved great success in symphony orchestras, recording studios and at leading colleges and universities. His reputation as a performer also has been recognized throughout the nation.

Kase�s composition will be premiered on May 21 during the opening ceremonies of the 2003 International Trumpet Guild Conference at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. The four-day conference includes concerts, recitals, lectures, competitions and master classes by world-renowned classical and jazz trumpet performers and educators.

Kase recently performed in Goteborg, Sweden, with the world famous Goteborg Brass Band for the National Santa Lucia Festival. The band has toured four continents and participated in festivals around the world. During the festival, Kase conducted two days of master classes at the Goteborg Conservatory of Music.

Kase composed and performed pieces for his CDs, "A Weaver of Dreams" and "Those Paris Nights," on the Altenburgh Jazz label. His publications also include method books, and ensemble literature for trumpet, jazz ensembles and concert bands. As a performer, he has been a soloist with symphony orchestras across the U.S. and with international artists such as Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr., Dizzy Gillespie and Wayne Newton. His work as an artist and clinician has placed him in high demand as a performer and lecturer in both jazz and classical music.

Kase holds bachelor�s and doctor of music arts degrees from the University of Minnesota and a master�s of music education from the University of North Texas.

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ky/vc/Kase commission