ABOUT BOB AND BILL
Bob La Torre
After living for more than twenty years in Stanwood, Washington, my wife and I moved to Ashland, Oregon. But soon we will be "transitioning" to the northern Oregon coast. I played my trumpet in many musical groups in Washington's Skagit County, mainly The North Cascades Concert Band, and a seventeen-piece swing band that I founded and led called Skagit Swings. Presently, I am a member of The Ashland City Band, after spending this past year in The Southern Oregon Concert Band and The Rogue Valley Symphonic Band.
About twelve years ago, I responded to an ad that Bill Knevitt had put in the International Trumpet Guild journal, advertising a free practice routine and brochure of his music books. I ordered a book, and soon thereafter Bill himself called me, from his home in Jackson, Michigan, to talk shop! We had a nice chat. I mentioned that I had noticed a couple of typos in the introduction to the book I had just received. (I am a language teacher by profession. I just can't resist the urge to correct coming out at odd moments!) I offered to re-type the introduction, and one thing led to another, and soon I had re-typed all the introductions to all of Bill's books. I also became Bill's editor for many other things he published: letters, brochures, his website, etc. We had a lot of fun together, and he always paid me "in kind," that is, with books and other trumpet-related materials rather than money. Eventually I acquired music-engraving software, and I ended up converting all of Bill's books from handwritten music to professional-looking engraving. It was a large project, as there were over a thousand pages of material! But it was well worth it. In 2006, when Bill decided to retire from his book distributorship, he sold his business to me, and here we are.
Do I use Bill’s books? YES! When I first heard of Bill and his methods in 1993, I was an average-to-middlin’ trumpet player, playing in various bands and pickup gigs, but frustrated overall with my range, endurance, and technique. I was intrigued by Bill’s titles such as You Can Scream With Endurance To Spare, The Truth About How To Play Double High C, 5 Ways To Build Ultra-Endurance on Trumpet, and others. It sounded like just what I needed! I bought a couple of Bill’s books, and after several months of serious practicing, I started to really see progress in my abilities. Now I play consistently up to the double F-G range, and have tons more endurance than before. I have watched my local reputation as a solid player build up too, along with my abilities.
Overall, it’s been a very joyful learning and growing process. I have gained confidence as a trumpet player, as a musician, and as a person. In addition to staying busy with my playing, I have composed several pieces for band, plus one for orchestra and one brass quintet. Sometimes I think of my abilities as a musician before I started studying with Bill Knevitt, then I think of myself out in front of the band and several hundred audience members playing a cornet solo I had composed, and think "Oh my gosh, was that really ME?"
Bill Knevitt
A native of Michigan, Bill Knevitt played the trumpet since the age of seven. By age nine, he was performing on a weekly radio program, and continued to sit first chair in every band he joined through high school. He went on to major in trumpet at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. In 1960, he won the Institute's Top Talent award, and was described as being "the finest trumpet player we have had in the history of our school." Bill continued his studies under Clifford Lillya at the University of Michigan, and got his Master of Music degree from Michigan State University. He later studied with the great Claude Gordon, and became one of Mr. Gordon's star students.
For many years Bill pursued his career as a music educator, teaching in various public and private schools and giving private lessons to players of all ages. Along the way, he composed and published several trumpet method books, covering the entire spectrum of trumpet technique, from range to endurance to articulation to scale knowledge and much more. Professional players from all over the country came to study with Bill one-on-one using his "Ultra-Trumpet Practice System."
Sadly, Bill passed away on July 19, 2009, at his home in Jackson, Michigan, after suffering from a brain tumor. He was followed into the hereafter just a few months later by his loving wife, Louise.
Although Bill and I never met personally, we had an extensive email relationship for several years. I always found Bill to be an all-around great guy, both as an instructor and as a person. I feel honored that Bill came to consider me among his very close friends. I am a firm believer in Bill's methods, as they have enabled me to make great strides as a musician. It is an honor to be the one to carry on Bill's legacy through his methods, his books, and his inspiration.