Program introduces young women to trumpet to enhance representation in a male-dominated segment of the music industry
Participants in the Girls Play Trumpet Too program will celebrate a year of work with a debut holiday Concert at Cafe Istanbul on Thursday, December 21 at 6:00 p.m. The nonprofit started by musician and teacher Troy Sawyer aims to empower girls ages eight through 19 to play the trumpet on a novice and advanced level. The concert, sponsored by the New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund, will feature Christmas songs performed by GPT2 participants backed by the Elementz rhythm section and guest vocalist Kynedi Cole, an accomplished young singer, actress and activist. Food will be provided by D Chef, Harvest NOLA and JunMagnolia. The concert is free and open to the public, and donations are encouraged to support the continued growth of the program.
The ultimate goal of the program is to produce more professional female trumpeters who will have the tools they need to succeed in a male-dominated field. Since November 2022, Sawyer and the 15 students have met at St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church on Saturday mornings for 90 minutes. The curriculum begins with reading music and listening to notable female trumpet players. Sawyer emphasizes how important it is for his students to see women playing trumpet at a high level. When he was growing up, he did not see many women and girls playing the trumpet, and he believes the lack of representation has caused music educators to steer girls away from the trumpet.
WHAT: Girls Play Trumpets Too First Annual Holiday Performance
WHO: Troy Sawyer, Founder, Girls Play Trumpets Too
WHEN: Thursday, December 21, 2023 6:00-8:00 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
WHERE: Cafe Istanbul 2372 St. Claude Ave., New Orleans, LA 70117
