Episode #81 - Matthias Höfs

Episode #81 - Matthias Höfs

Author: Bob Reeves Brass Mouthpieces June 13, 2020 Duration: 1:09:10

When he was six years old, Matthias Hoefs declared the trumpet "his instrument, because it shines so nicely". He received his musical education from Professor Peter Kallensee at the Hamburg University of Music and Theatre, and from Profes- sor Konradin Groth at the Karajan Academy of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. When just 18 years of age, he was engaged as Solo-Trumpeter at the Philharmonic State Orchestra in Hamburg, where he enjoyed the fascinating world of opera for 16 years.

At the same time, Hoefs became a member of the GERMAN BRASS Ensemble, with whom he continues to achieve worldwide success. Since their first joint concert in 1985, he writes for himself and his colleagues tailored arrangements which span more then one genre and continue to inspire the world of Brass.

Matthias Hoefs has always shown a pioneering spirit, and thus has consistently widened the horizon of his instrument, either by close cooperation with other composers, who feel themselves inspired by his incomparable virtuosity and joy of experimentation, or as "trumpet ambassador" in his home state of Schleswig- Holstein in northern Germany, or in cooperation with the instrument makers Max and Heinrich Thein.

Since the year 2000, Matthias Hoefs has been teaching as Professor at the Ham- burg University of Music and Theatre, were he inspires his students with great enthusiasm, knowing how to pass on his passion for his instrument. In addition to his extensive concert performances as solo-trumpeter and chamber musician, Hoefs has produced numerous Solo CDs, and jointly with GERMAN BRASS, more than 20 recordings. 

In October 2016 GERMAN BRASS was awarded with the ECHO Klassik – one of the most outstanding awards for national and international musicians. Learn more about Matthias at www.matthiashoefs.de.


There's a whole world of sound that happens before the music reaches the audience, a space filled with the clatter of valves, the whisper of breath, and the shared stories of a unique community. The Other Side Of The Bell-A Trumpet Podcast invites you into that world, offering a backstage pass to the realities of brass life. Hosted by the team at Bob Reeves Brass Mouthpieces, this series goes far beyond simple gear talk. Each episode feels like a conversation in the practice room, blending practical trumpet tips that address the daily hurdles players face with deep-dive interviews featuring the musicians themselves. You'll hear firsthand stories about the craft, the unexpected challenges of performance, and the personal journeys that shape an artist's sound. This podcast is built on decades of specialized knowledge, translating the nuanced experiences of embouchure, articulation, and endurance into accessible insights. Whether you're a student navigating your first orchestral audition or a seasoned professional refining your approach, the discussions here are grounded in real-world application. It’s about the person behind the instrument as much as the instrument itself, creating a genuine resource for anyone passionate about the trumpet. Tune in for a blend of technical wisdom and personal narrative that only comes from a lifetime spent listening from the other side of the bell.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Other Side Of The Bell - A Trumpet Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Episode #105 - Roy Wiegand [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:03
Roy Wiegand is a versatile and renowned trumpet player in the Los Angeles area. He has toured and performed with such well-known acts as The Who, Bobby Womack, Tom Jones, Mel Torme, Harry James Orchestra, and Wayne Newto…
Episode #104 - Keith Snell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:01:57
Keith Snell has pursued a multifaceted music career as a trumpet soloist, freelance musician, composer/arranger, conductor and educator. His earliest musical training and performance experiences began at the age of six w…
Episode #103 -Neal Berntsen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:08
Neal Berntsen joined the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra trumpet section in March 1997, having been appointed at the invitation of Music Director Lorin Maazel in 1996. He is a native of Tacoma, Washington. He began his mus…
Episode #102 - Christine Kamau [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:57
Christine Kamau is a Trumpeter, Composer and Performing Artist from Kenya. Her Trumpet playing has been described as 'a wide-eared approach to jazz, paying attention to various styles without losing the jazz tonality'. K…
Episode #101 - Greg Spence and Julie Baxes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:30:45
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Episode #100 - Tony Kadleck [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:30
Trumpeter/composer/arranger/bandleader/educator Tony Kadleck is one of the most sought-after trumpet players on the New York City scene, and has been for some time. He moved to NYC in 1986, following his studies at the N…
Episode #99 - Sarah Belle Reid [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:12
Sarah Belle Reid is a performer-composer who plays trumpet, modular synthesizer, and an ever-growing collection of handcrafted electronic instruments. Her unique musical voice explores the intersections between contempor…
Episode #98 - David Krauss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:04
David Krauss is the prodigious host of Speaking Soundly, Co-Founder of ANM, and Principal Trumpet of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. As a soloist, he has performed with the All-Star Orchestra on their Emmy Award-winnin…
Episode #97 - Larry Meregillano [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:59
Larry Meregillano is a Eclipse artist/clinician. He started his professional career playing in big bands in San Diego in the early 1970's. In 1976, he was hired to play in Tom Ranier's Show band at Disneyland. A year lat…
Episode #96 - Bobby Medina and Paul Baron [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:30
Body Mechanics Mastery Course Two years in the making, this is the most comprehensive trumpet course on the net! For all levels of players from beginners to seasoned pro's. Whether you're a soloist, lead player, symphoni…