RELEASED: July 21, 2005

DANVILLE, KY—While Danville, Ky., and Bangkok, Thailand, do not share a common language, words are not always necessary. For Centre College's CentreTrumpets, the common language on a recent week-long trip to Asia wasn't spoken—it was played.

On a recent trip CentreTrumpets trip to Bangkok, rising junior Chris Patton found the global bond between trumpet players a memorable experience. "I came away with a real sense of how good some of the trumpet players are around the world and just how many players there are," he says. "To see trumpet players from Asia, Europe, Australia—it's incredible."

Patton was one of seven Centre College students led by internationally known Centre trumpeter Vince DiMartino, Matton Professor of Music, who were in Bangkok to attend the International Trumpet Guild Conference to present a lecture entitled "The Trumpet Ensemble as a Teaching Tool."

The group was well prepared thanks to the Great American Brass Band Festival, held in Danville in June, according to DiMartino. The Festival provided useful rehearsals prior to performing for the conference.

"The CentreTrumpets were able to rehearse and perform for the longest time in our history," says DiMartino. "As a result, they reached the highest performance level possible."

When not busy with conference activities, students had plenty of scheduled free-time to explore both Bangkok and Thai culture, including such attractions as the Royal Palace and famous River Kwai.

"It's a different world," says Patton, of Nesbit, Miss., who has played trumpet for nearly eight years. "It's a giant city, but it's not at all like a New York. It's an urban sprawl. The city goes on for miles."

Adds DiMartino, "Thailand is a unique place. It is very modern and yet retains much from the past."

The food of Thailand is perhaps its most well-known cultural export. Patton sampled his share of the cuisine and notes, "The food isn't just hot and spicy. They encourage you to mix your food. It's really cool how they blend their philosophy and their food with their culture."

DiMartino was invited to dinner with the Thai ministers of Tourism and Health hosted by members of the royal family. In addition he was invited to play the Janacek Sinfonetta with the Thailand Philharmonic and 11 trumpeters from around the world. The students were also able to appreciate fine music on their own, finding time to take in a concert as an audience. "The Thailand orchestra performed an incredible concert outside of the city at one of the King's summer houses," says Patton. "The whole building was huge and the orchestra was mind-bogglingly good."

While Patton praised the Thai trumpeters, DiMartino didn't hesitate to praise Centre's ensemble.

"They were well received by all and presented a great picture of what can be done at places like Centre College," he says.

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