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| 2025 Concord Band trumpet section (l. to r.): Rob Viola, Cindy Blanchard, Matt Pearson, Paul Mawn, Fred Holmgren, Margaret Romero, Rich Given, Jake Kinney, Kiana Marsh, Ted Smongeski. Not pictured: Bob Pettipaw. |
The Concord Band comprises many talented and accomplished musicians. This article inaugurates an occasional series presenting an in-depth profile of each instrumental section. Leading this project, we introduce the distinguished members of our trumpet section.
Profiles
Cindy Blanchard, a Boxborough resident, joined the Band in 2011. She holds a bachelor’s degree in trumpet performance and composition from Bowdoin College and a master’s in conducting from The College of New Jersey and Juilliard. Cindy founded several ensembles, including the Cape Cod Community Orchestra, the Cape Cod Brass, and the Intergenerational Band. She retired as director of music programs at Maynard High School and is now devoting time to composition.
Richard Given, a native of Vermont now residing in Ayer, joined the Band in 2016. Rich attended the Eastman School of Music and earned a Diploma in Trumpet Performance from New England Conservatory. After graduation Rich started a free-lance career that continues today, having spent over thirty years playing Broadway shows in the pit orchestras of the Schubert, Colonial, and Wang Center theatres in Boston. Rich has been a trumpet instructor at Boston Conservatory, MIT, and Brown University.
Fred Holmgren, a resident of Wendell, holds a Bachelor of Music from Oberlin College Conservatory of Music and has been listed as a notable musician and educator by Marquis Who's Who. He was a specialist in natural trumpet and baroque music at New England Conservatory and has performed extensively both nationally and abroad.
Jake Kinney resides in New Bedford and has performed with the Concord Band since 2021 on trumpet, with our Jazz Ensemble on piano, and leading our Holiday Pops sing-along on vocals. Jake has a bachelor’s degree in physics from MIT and a master’s in linguistics from Boston University.
Kiana Marsh lives in Nashua, New Hampshire, and joined the band in 2024. She attended Keene State University and earned a bachelor’s degree in music. She worked in front-of-house manager roles for the New Haven Symphony and Boston Symphony at Tanglewood and currently works for Verne Q Powell Flutes as operations coordinator.
Paul Mawn has been a member of the Band since 1972 and is the longest-serving trumpet section member. Paul divides his time between Sudbury and Cape Cod. While attending Harvard University, he led a dance band that supported his living expenses. Paul is a retired petroleum industry management consultant and a retired Captain in the US Navy.
Matthew Pearson, a native of Connecticut now living in Chelmsford, graduated from Gordon College with a bachelor's in business administration and a minor in music. He is an operations division leader overseeing veterinary hospitals in the northeast. Matt joined the Band in 2021.
Robert (Bob) Pettipaw, a resident of Newton, joined the Band in 2018. He has degrees from New England Conservatory in trumpet performance and Boston University in music education. Bob is retired from his career as a performer and music teacher.
Margaret Romero lives in Concord and joined the Band in 2022. She holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in trumpet performance and pedagogy from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Margaret is the principal trumpet of the Carlisle Chamber Orchestra, manages ticket sales for the Concord Orchestra, teaches private lessons, and is an elementary brass specialist for the Arlington school district.
Edward (Ted) Smongeski, a resident of Concord, joined the trumpet section in 2024. Ted is a software engineer with a degree from Carnegie Mellon University in chemical engineering, Ted enjoys performing in jazz combos, tabletop board games, and travel.Robert (Rob) Viola grew up in Stoneham and resides in Melrose. Rob completed a degree in early childhood education at Framingham State University and a graduate degree at Lakehead University in Ontario. Rob is retired after a 42-year career at Verne Q Powell Flutes, where in addition to serving as Vice President of Production, he was co-owner of the company for a while.
Interviews
How did you start playing your instrument?
Cindy—In fourth grade, the school had folks demo the instruments. I fell in love with the clarinet. I told my parents that was my choice; they went off to the pick-up night and came back with a trumpet. The instrument dealer told my parents that as I had an overbite, playing the clarinet would make it worse, and a trumpet would make it better. My grandfather played the trumpet in his youth, too, so that sealed the deal. I never looked back!
Rich—I started playing Trumpet in 4th Grade at my Grandmother’s suggestion. My dad was a well-known jazz pianist, so I heard music in the house constantly!
Fred—I started playing the trumpet when I was eight after receiving the results from a musical aptitude test that claimed I had the ability to play the trumpet.
Jake—I wanted to play trumpet since I was about two years old, primarily inspired by awesome John Williams parts, especially Jurassic Park. I finally got to start at nine years old after I had lost my two front teeth. I've been playing ever since.
Kiana—In the fourth grade, we were given the option to choose an instrument; we had to give our top three choices in case the first pick wasn't available. Both my mother and sister had played flute when they were in school, and I did not want to play the same thing they had. I figured the trumpet was as far from the flute as possible. The day came for us to get our instruments and to my delight, I got a trumpet!
Margaret—I played flute from middle school through high school. I wanted to try out for the marching band, but they don’t have flutes! I was told my best bet was to switch to trumpet or trombone and to get in good shape because it was an athletic feat as much as a musical one. My parents found a trumpet at a garage sale. I ended up loving it, and within a year, I became a trumpet performance music major.
Bob—At age ten, I used to listen to old 78 rpm records that my parents had. A Boston Pops recording that opened with the race track call was so exciting it made me want to play the trumpet. Little did I know that some years later, Roger Voisin would become my mentor and a lifelong friend, which led to my playing extra trumpet with the Boston Symphony and Pops.
Paul—In sixth grade, I was taught how to blow an old trumpet and what valves to press for “Notre Dame March” and “Nearer My God to Thee.” I then accompanied the school march into classrooms every morning and afternoon. I paid for private lessons out of my paper route earnings. As a member of the Harvard University band, I performed at every home and away football game.
Matt—I started on the piano—for one week! My sister was playing trumpet at the time, and that appealed to me. I started playing in the school band in the sixth grade and continued playing in high school concert, marching, and jazz bands.
Ted—I started trumpet at age eight after a false start on the piano. My mother ran a music school and my dad studied classical guitar, so it wasn't a question that I'd be playing something. I started playing jazz around middle school and realized that I loved improvisation. I played throughout college in concert bands, jazz bands, and orchestra.
Rob—I played trumpet from age six through high school. I stopped playing trumpet for forty years, then picked it back up ten years ago. Now, I play in both the Lexington and Concord bands.
What inspires you and keeps you interested in music performance?
Cindy—I love playing in a group, hearing all the different instruments and parts, and love the literature. Practicing has never been a chore but rather something to look forward to. Knowing that we are working together towards a common goal is inspiring. I have always loved Maurice Andre's sound and try to emulate that as much as I can. I also play a decent amount of flugelhorn, hoping that someday I might sound like Chuck Mangione!
Fred—I made a living playing the valved and valveless trumpet (the trumpet had no valves until about 1835). I've played the trumpet most of my life, and it's kind of a habit.
Rich—The most inspiring thing is listening to great players and having the good fortune to play with hundreds of legendary entertainers. Having broken-in Broadway shows in Boston and New York, I got to sit next to my heroes, Doc Severinsen and Irving Berger, and became friends with Stephen Sondheim. Their unique styles influenced me and became embedded in my playing.
Jake—The community element is a key part of my music performance; it feels great to create something together. I'm always inspired by excellent musicians and hearing the wonderful things people can do.
Kiana—Performing in itself is enjoyable. But my favorite part is feeling the music thrumming through your body, the pause after the last note, and the joy of sharing the experience with your friends.
Paul—Playing with the Concord Band has made me a better musician. Keeping my “chops up” is fun as well as challenging and good for my physical and mental health.
Matt—I enjoy making music myself and making music with others even more. Rehearsals are the best part.
Ted—Listening to good music, particularly live, gives me the itch to play classical, jazz, and sometimes rock/ska music featuring horns.
Please share an anecdote about the Concord Band.
Cindy—I recall when I first joined the Band hearing the interesting banter between folks in my section. Everything from politics to which collegiate marching band is the best.
Fred—I was recruited to the band by the current principal trumpeter, Rich, whom I've been working with since 1964.
Rich—The Concord Band is a rare and unique setting to play concert band repertoire at a high level. Since joining the Band, I’ve seen tremendous growth and success with the overall product.
Jake—My grandpa, Ken Troup, has been playing in the Concord Band my whole life; he's the reason I'm in the band. When I was a kid, the Band performed Phantom of the Opera, which featured a bloodcurdling scream from backstage. After the concert, I was shocked and impressed that my grandma, Brenda Troup, had delivered the scream!
Kiana—The Concord Band is full of talented musicians I enjoy getting to know. Learning from and hearing about their experiences is helpful in navigating the music industry.
Paul—After completing active duty in the Navy, I played with several town bands until I joined the Concord Band. I am proud to have played the first performance of many Concord Band commissioned original compositions, especially Satiric Dances and Overture to a Winter Festival.
Margaret—The Band has such a great trumpet section! Not only is it filled with some truly outstanding players, but also they are lovely people! Everyone is kind and supportive, and we genuinely enjoy spending time and making music together!
Matt—Margaret and I played in the Carlisle Chamber Orchestra together, and she told me about the Band. I asked her to keep me in mind, and she got me in as a sub. I was so excited. My first experience was the summer session; it was a lot of music to absorb! I love our section, a lot of great people. About a year later, my wife Beth was able to join on flute!
Bob—Rich Given invited me to join the Band when I retired from teaching at Boston Conservatory and New England Conservatory. Since then I have seen a dramatic improvement in our section's playing level.
Ted—A few years ago, I heard the caliber of the performance at a Fruitlands summer concert, then [trombonist] Peter Norton mentioned the Band needed a trumpet player, and here I am!
What motivates you going forward?
Cindy—I always look forward to the next packet of music. It's a joy to work on our music and get it concert-ready. It's also exciting to get that new music packet and see what we'll be playing next. I strive to play my best to add to the sound of the Band.
Rich—I’m excited to keep contributing at a high level, to help recruit great musicians, and to keep fun in music! I like to stay in shape and mentally acute for the demands of life and performing!
Fred—It’s relatively simple: keep learning to play trumpet better.
Jake—I've enjoyed playing in chamber ensembles within the Band. I'd love to do more of that and hope to perform my compositions with the Band.
Kiana—I'm looking forward to our summer Fruitlands concert series and, of course, seeing more of the interesting gadgets my fellow trumpet players bring to rehearsal.
Paul—I look forward to continuing to rehearse and play with the Concord Band for the Holiday Pops and Spring Pops concerts. I perform with the Harwich Town Band and occasionally with a dance band on the Cape during the summertime.
Matt—I enjoy classic wind ensemble music. Holst, Grainger, and all of that. I'm looking forward to playing more of those.
Bob—It keeps me on my toes to match the players around me!
Ted—I was on a hiatus since college, and have always known I'd return to my trumpet again. I'm looking forward to playing with the band as much as I can!
