Anthony Plog on Music

Conversations with performers, composers, and entrepreneurs

Kevin Mayse: Trumpet Instructor, Ensembles Director, and Department Chair of the exciting program at Riverside City College

Anthony Plog, host
Eddie Ludema, producer
Date posted: Apr 12, 2024

Kevin Mayse is the wind ensemble conductor, trumpet teacher, and chair of the Department of Music at Riverside City College. Even though RCC is a two year college, what Kevin has been able to accomplish has been exceptional. His wind ensemble not only performs major works but also has a vibrant commissioning program, top flight soloists, and performs to sold out, standing room audiences. So, who better to ask about how to build a strong and thriving college performing program than Kevin?

Part 1

We begin with a discussion of a concert I was involved in as a composer, where a piece of mine for trumpet and wind ensemble was given its premiere by Tom Hooten (principal trumpet of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra) and the RCC Wind Ensemble. We use this concert to discuss in depth how Kevin has been able to create such a strong program. This is followed by Kevin talking about his early trumpet studies, how he gradually got into conducting, being hired at RCC, and eventually becoming department chair (and his take on the role of that position.)

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In Part 2 we begin with Kevin discussing some of his inspirations and mentors - Dave Evans, Malcolm McNab, and Bobby Shew for trumpet and Professor Jerry Junkin for conducting (specifically the four straight years that he attended a life-changing conductor's workshop in Texas.) I then ask Kevin a question that is always interesting for me: What makes a great student? We end with a story from a concert where Karel Husa's "Music for Prague 1968" was performed, and the emotional impact that great music can have.



The podcast theme music, Four Sierra Scenes, written by Anthony Plog, is taken from Crystal Records S205, copyright ©1980 Crystal Records Inc., and is used by permission. Unauthorized duplication is not permitted.