David Henderson takes a multi-faceted approach to music. He is a talented and polished performer, a sought-after teacher, and a free-lance recording engineer. He received music degrees from the University of Kentucky and the Eastman School of Music. Principal trombonist with the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra and the Lexington Brass Band, he is principal musician of Saxton’s Cornet Band. He has recorded numerous music albums for schools and professional groups all around central Kentucky, and has frequently supervised sound and recording for the Great American Brass Band Festival. As part of the Cornets and Cannons Festival, David will team in a presentation with Mike West to discuss the music of Civil War bands in detail – how it was written and arranged, and how it can be performed with greatest historical accuracy today. Over twenty years of hands-on experience with band books, steel-tipped pens, and mid-19th century horns will go into this presentation. This busy gentleman also will be in charge of recording all the festival concerts.

Joel Crawford is a native of Iowa, where he received his Bachelors of Music in trumpet performance degree from the University of Iowa. He earned his Masters of Music in performance from Bowling Green State University and is currently working on his Doctor of Musical Arts in performance and pedagogy at the University of Kentucky. Joel is a member of Saxton’s Cornet Band and is involved in research on the topic of brass band music and performance practice of the American Civil War era. Joel has performed with the Lexington Brass Band, Perrysburg Symphony (principal trumpet), Firelands Symphony Orchestra, Ottumwa Symphony, Iowa City Chamber Orchestra, Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre, and the Heritage of the March Band. Joel currently freelances and teaches privately in the Lexington area.

All Participants

Mike West will partner with David Henderson in a detailed presentation about the technical aspects of performing mid-19th century brass band music. Mr. West attended Michigan State University and graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Music degree. He taught music in Michigan schools for over twenty years while also consulting and arranging for marching bands and drum corps throughout Michigan and Canada. After moving back to his home state of Kentucky, he became a member of Saxton’s Cornet Band. He has prepared much of the music performed in recent years by that ensemble. He has played alto horn in the Lexington Brass Band since its beginning, and he is on the band’s board of directors. Mr. West recently retired from a second career in community education with the Franklin County public school system. Much of his time is occupied these days working on nature trails and interpretive panels, shooting cannons, and other tasks at the Leslie Morris Park on Fort Hill – Frankfort’s Civil War park.