Trumpet Instructor – Dr. Larry Wells
Larry holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Washington State University (1990). He holds a Master of Science in Teaching Music from Portland State University (1996), and has completed a Doctor of Musical Arts in Trumpet Performance/Wind Conducting from the University of North Texas (2006). His dissertation is entitled Construction Applications, Practices, and Techniques of Natural Trumpets; A Comparative Analysis of Baroque and Modern Era Trumpet Construction Methods.
Currently, Larry is the Director of Instrumental Studies at Methodist University in Fayetteville. Prior to his appointment at Methodist, Larry taught for one year at Southeastern Oklahoma State University and three years at Southwestern Oregon Community College.
In addition to teaching, Larry was the General Manager and Associate Conductor for the 500+ member Metropolitan Youth Symphony in Portland, Oregon. During his five-year tenure at MYS, Larry oversaw all operational aspects of the non-profit group, and conducted the Preparatory Band. Larry also spent four years working for the David. G. Monette Corp. building custom trumpets for notable players such as Wynton Marsalis, Adolph Herseth, and the late Maynard Ferguson.
As a performer, Larry holds a position in the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra. In addition, he has played numerous times with the Portland Opera, the Oregon Symphony, the Eugene Symphony and Opera, and the Salem Chamber Orchestra. While at the University of North Texas, Larry played with the UNT Symphonic Band, UNT Baroque Orchestra, and the UNT Opera Orchestra.
Outside of music, Larry’s interests include playing golf, woodworking, and playing with his three children, Pruette, Harrison and Daulton.
