Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am greatly interested in applying for the Trumpet Instructor position at your school. You will find me a highly qualified and enthusiastic candidate who is eager to share my passion for music with the students in your program. The majority of my professional experience has revolved around education.
I have been the trumpet instructor at Sonoma State University since 1999. In addition to performing as a member of the Sonoma State University Faculty Brass and Chamber Ensembles, I have coached the student brass quintet as a part of my duties on campus. For five years running, I was invited by the local chapter of California Music Educator's Association to be a member of the trumpet selection committee for the CMEA Nor-Cal Honor Band. Additionally, between 1992 and 1997, I worked as a substitute band director at the junior high and high school levels in the Palmdale, Thousand Oaks, Hart, Sonoma Valley, and Santa Rosa City school districts. Prior to that, as an undergraduate at Santa Rosa Junior College, I acted as a music tutor for traditional theory/ear training, jazz arranging, and occasionally lead ensembles under supervision of the music department head.
As a trumpet and brass clinician, I have offered workshops and conducted section rehearsals throughout Northern and Southern California (over a period of 26 years). During this same period, I have taught consistently as a private studio instructor. Many of my students have been placed highly in youth symphonies, honor bands, solo competitions, and scholarship auditions. I currently maintain a studio roster of 20 students (age range 9-86) and have written numerous articles in the context of my teaching that have been organized into several books: "Trumpet Basics", "Trumpet Basics Companion", "Daily Jazz Routine", Daily Jazz Routine Supplement", and "Trumpet Home Maintenance". I am a member of the International Trumpet Guild.
My teaching is based on a wealth of information gathered from various trumpet teachers including John Henes (Chicago Lyric Opera) and Raymond Mase (NYC Ballet). I have been further influenced by my experience at The Northern California Center for the Alexander Technique where I am currently enrolled in a teacher training program under the guidance of George Lister. In my teaching, I use the well-known method books such as Schlossberg, Clarke, and Arban in order to establish a firm fundamental foundation. In addition to working extensively with students on efficiency, coordination, and musical intention, I can assist in guiding a student through advanced solo literature and orchestral excerpts when appropriate.
I have personally designed and created five websites. I am certain that in this age of science you are interested in having individuals on your faculty that have a working knowledge of current technology. Every college and university must now have this ability within their faculty in order to compete in today's educational market. I feel it is self-evident, if you take the time to browse any of these sites, that I am fully capable of designing web pages to help organize and maintain student records and lecture outlines (or supplementary materials) pertaining to any class I might be asked to teach. I am also interested in the possibility of developing and maintaining online study programs through your school. My original site was been selected as a topic for a lecture by the Head of the Technology Committee at a past International Trumpet Guild Convention as an example of an online teaching program.
In addition to the comprehensive abilities mentioned above, I have worked as an alumni representative (recruiting) for Berklee College. I also participated in an extensive scholarship outreach program while enrolled as a graduate student at Cal-Arts. These unique events, combined with my 12 years of college teaching experience at Sonoma State University and Santa Rosa Junior College, I believe, have prepared me for serving students of various backgrounds. I hope to talk with you further regarding my qualifications. I am sure you will be pleased with the energy, enthusiasm, and creativity that I can offer your department and students.
Cordially,
Pete Estabrook
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