In this episode, I'm sitting down with composer and trumpeter Kevin McKee to talk about his journey from trumpet performance to composition, how his playing background shapes his writing, and what makes his music so idiomatic and enjoyable to play. We dig deep into the inspiration and interpretive details behind Centennial Horizon, Kevin's evocative three-movement work for trumpet and piano inspired by Colorado. Kevin also shares details about his book Kevin McKee's Musical Jungle Gym for Trumpet, a gamified fundamentals method designed to keep students engaged through style studies, card-based practice routines, and QR-linked recordings.
We covered:
-How Kevin got started composing and what kept him going
-Writing music you actually enjoy vs. chasing trends
-The personal story behind Centennial Horizon (movement by movement)
-Performance tips straight from the composer
-The Musical Jungle Gym: who it's for and how to use it
-Blocked buzzing as a tool for embouchure recovery
-Kevin's advice for aspiring composers
Find Kevin's music and get in touch at kevinmckmusic.com
