Collaboration: Riding the Creative Tension

James Stephenson’s “Rextreme” Concerto was precisely crafted to showcase Rex Richardson’s personal approach to the trumpet. Since its 2010 premiere in Sydney Australia, this uniquely virtuosic, genre-bending work has been performed dozens of times on five continents, in its various versions for orchestra, concert band, brass band and piano reduction. Composer and soloist discuss the process of bringing a major composition to life, from raising money to creating the music to booking concerts.

Rex Richardson 

Virginia Commonwealth University
Professor of Trumpet and Jazz Studies

Rex Richardson has been Professor of Trumpet and Jazz Studies at VCU since 2002 and served as International Tutor in Trumpet at the Royal Northern College of Music from 2012-2015. He has appeared on countless classical and jazz recordings and tours globally as a guest soloist some five months a year. He was named International Brass Personality of the Year by the Brass Herald and has been hailed as “One of the very best trumpet soloists in the world today,” by the International Trumpet Guild.

James  Stephenson 

Stephenson Music, Inc.
Composer

Chicago-based composer James Stephenson has emerged as one of the more prolific, oft-performed and recorded composers of his generation, having had major works commissioned by many of the world’s top ensembles such as the Chicago Symphony, The Minnesota Orchestra, the Dallas Symphony and the US "President’s Own" Marine Band. According to the Boston Herald, his music "should be heard again and again." In addition to his work as a composer and arranger, he is frequently in demand as a conductor, leading presentations of his works and others, providing composer insights and commentary.

The FMEA Professional Development Conference and All-State Ensembles receive support in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.