By Sarah Daniels, Staff Writer
Jacob Hunkins ’24 (Photo Courtesy of Jacob Hunkins)
On Sunday, April 30, music major Jacob Hunkins ’24 performed his senior recital in Paul Recital Hall at 2:30 p.m.
His first piece, “Concerto for Two Trumpets in C Major, RV. 537,” included accompanists Adjunct Assistant Professor Steven Marx on trumpet and Collaborative Pianist Scott Crowne on the organ. With three sections, “Allegro,” “Largo” and “Allegro Moderato,” this piece composed by Antonio Vivaldi was a lively combination of brass with the organ.
The next piece, also with Crowne on piano, was titled “Rustiques” and composed by Eugéne Bozza. “Totem Voices”composed by Catherine McMichaels followed with accompaniment by Crowne on piano as well.
After a brief intermission, the next piece, “Fables of Faubus” composed by Charles Mingus, included a small ensemble with the name “4 O’Clock Combo,” featuring Michael Tropp ’25 on trombone, Adjunct Assistant Professor Eric Byrd on piano, David Grant ’24 on tenor saxophone, Dylan Hewitt ’24 on bass, Hunkins ’24 on trumpet, Hugo Pochan ’26 on guitar and Benjamin Sarnitsky ’26 on drums.
After their performance, Hunkins played “Concerto Piece No. 1 in F minor, Op. 11,” composed by Karl Wilhelm Brandt, with Crowne accompanying on piano.
The final piece, “Medley: St. Louis Blues-West End Blues,” was composed by William Christopher Handy and Joe Oliver. Hunkins himself arranged the piece. With a group titled “The Edge of Brass,” which included Hunkins and Benjamin Casinelli ’26 on trumpet, Abigail Jemison ’24 on horn, Michael Tropp ’25 on trombone and Elizabeth Callan ’26 on tuba, the piece was a bright jazz composition with skillful arrangement.
After the recital, Hunkins spoke about his start in music: “I chose the trumpet because I liked the sound of it. I decided to major in music because my teacher told me I should audition and I realized I really wanted to study music.”
He also discussed the time commitment behind the recital.
“The most rewarding part of the process is being able to learn the technique for a piece so that I am able to just focus on making music,” Hunkins said. “My favorite piece was Concert Piece No. 1 by Vassily Brandt because it really allows me to be expressive and was technically difficult enough to give me a challenge.”
After his time at Gettysburg is finished, Hunkins will be pursuing a Masters of Music degree in Trumpet Performance and Literature at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY.
