My memories of Bruce “Bud” Weissert. I introduced Bruce Weissert in last week’s post. Bruce passed away in 2019 at the age of 59. This week I’ll expand on my experience as Bruce’s student.
Meeting Bud
I had taken private lessons on trumpet since fifth grade. My parents saw the value in getting me extra help. So, it wasn’t a stretch for me when I was introduced to a young man who would be working with the marching band trumpet section. His name was Bruce Weissert and he was a student from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.
The trumpet section immediately gave him the nickname, “Bud”.
Mom and Dad thought private lessons with him would be a good idea.
The “Nailers”
Bud spent a lot of time working on our attacks and entrances. He repeatedly told us to “nail” the notes. In our lessons we worked on air attack drills. (I still use them today.)
I’d attempt to play a note 10 times in a row without scuffing the entrance. I would put the instrument down and then pick it up and nail the note. No scuffing! A scuff meant that I needed to do the note again. If I could do 10 in a row then I could move on.
Norwin band went to summer nationals in 1982. Bud went with us. During the trip he presented us all with a shirt that said, “Norwin’s nailers”. We laughed about it, but we were proud of who we were as a section and as a band.
Lessons
Bud’s lessons were a great bridge to college lessons which made sense since he was barely out of college himself.
The more we worked together, the more Bud pestered me about switching to baritone. Looking back, I can see that he knew I didn’t have the ‘chops’ to play trumpet well.
In my senior year he handed me a second trumpet part. I was offended. Juniors played second part! Seniors played first! When I talked to Bud about it, he pointed out that I couldn’t hit the notes. I pushed for the part anyway and he gave in.
It was a stupid move, I really struggled to play those notes.
College
My previous post goes into detail about my college audition. I’ll summarize here by saying that Bud played a critical role in getting me into college. Mostly because he was able to break through my ego and get me switched to baritone.
I remember him looking at me during a lesson and suggesting (again) that I switch to baritone. I was sick and tired of hearing him say that. He said, “Why don’t you just try it over the weekend. Take a baritone home and try to play your music.” I reluctantly gave in.
The band director found a terribly beat up baritone on the top shelf of the instrument storage room and I took it home. I sequestered myself in my bedroom with this nasty smelling, banged up baritone.
And, …. playing it was the easy. I played everything that I couldn’t do on trumpet. An hour and a half later, I was still going strong.
This was Bud’s doing. Once this hurdle was cleared, he used his skill in working with me on my solos for my audition. I didn’t know what I should play or how it should be played. Bud developed in me the playing ability that would be needed to get the attention of the music department at James Madison University.
Influence
I didn’t have much contact with Bud from that point on. We touched base in the early 2000’s. He gave me his business card and we went on our way. I don’t think I ever told him how valuable he was to me and how important he was in my life. But, maybe he had a sense of satisfaction that I was doing well.
We all have influence. Sometimes we can see the effect of our actions on others but most of the time it’s so subtle that it goes unnoticed. Bud influenced me and probably never thought much about it. His influence continues to flow through me and into the students that I teach.