UCLA

ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION

Extended Techniques and Vocal Simulations in

Frank Ticheli's First Voice for Solo Bb Trumpet

By

Courtney Dion Jones

Doctor of Musical Arts in Trumpet Performance

University of California, Los Angeles, 2015

Professor Jens Lindemann, Chair

Unaccompanied works for trumpet that emerged during the latter half of the twentieth century (mainly since 1970) pushed the limits of technical facility well beyond what was heard in solo concerti or collaborative consorts of earlier eras and set new standards and expectations of what could be performed on the instrument. Frank Ticheli was a leader in these innovations; his compositions not only expanded the range and tonal qualities of the instrument, but also introduced more specialized techniques (such as speech simulation through vocal realizations and new modes of melodic writing involving disjunctive melodic patterns). Some of these techniques can be attributed to influences from jazz and contemporary idioms, as reflected in notational conventions familiar to jazz artists, but they also use innovative approaches to performance practice and new philosophical orientations.

The present research explores these developments through a detailed analysis of Frank Ticheli's composition The First Voice for Solo Bb Trumpet, augmented by interviews and correspondence with Ticheli himself. The intention of this research is to broaden the technical capabilities of 21st century performers, as well as shed light on the ideological and philosophical concepts on which the aforementioned developments are based. From a musicological perspective, this dissertation is primarily analytic and interpretive. However, it is hoped that trumpet players who use it for its pedagogical value will develop an increased confidence in performing The First Voice for Solo Bb Trumpet and other contemporary compositions in related genres.