CHARLES SCHLUETER INTERVIEW

Charlie Schlueter's revolutionary sound and approach to playing has greatly influenced the last 25 years of Monette trumpet development – right from the very beginning! His first two Monette trumpets were serial numbers #003 and #005, and since those horns were delivered in 1983 there has been a constant stream of improvement – always with Charlie's input and guidance. Without Charles Schlueter, Monette trumpets could not possibly exist as they do today.

Thanks in large part to Charlie, there has been a constant evolution in Monette instruments, and in Monette C trumpets in particular.From his time as principal trumpet in Milwaukee to his time in Cleveland playing under George Szell, then in Minneapolis and finally the last 25 years as principal trumpet of the Boston Symphony, Charlie has continually evolved as a player and as a teacher.

Over the years Charlie and Dave have been working together, Dave made countless trips to Boston, sitting up in the back of the second balcony, enjoying Charlie's magnificent playing – and at the same time, always asking the question, "how is the equipment holding him back?" The lessons of Charlie's sound and musicianship continue to inspire our work here. If all goes well, our current decorated presentation instrument project will be delivered to Charlie in time for him to record with it for his new CD with chamber orchestra this later this Fall. Watch this site for more details when available.

Charlie's thoughts on music, music making and teaching are so well articulated in this interview that the rough video tape required almost no editing at all! We hope many players will benefit from the wisdom in this video, and all of us here would like to thank Charlie for everything he has done to evolve the state-of-the-art of modern trumpet performance.