About his Schagerl C-Trumpet „Wien heavy“

“Through the course of my professional career, which spans about 41 years now, I have had the opportunity to play and own a multitude of rotary valve trumpets. In my quest for the “perfect” instrument, each one has represented an improvement over the previous, in terms of sound quality, intonation and playability. I can say without hesitation that my new Schagerl Wien Heavy C trumpet is the best German trumpet I have played to date. It is incredibly responsive and takes very little effort to project. The intonation is about as good as it gets on a trumpet, rotary or otherwise. I have used it on several occasions already in the orchestra and have been very pleased with the results. Passages that have felt clumsy and prone to intonation problems are greatly improved. It is a joy to play, and this is not hyperbole. Thank you for building such a great instrument.”

„I received my Schagerl Berlin Heavy Rotary C in the middle of rehearsals for Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. I was locked into the horn in the first hour. It has a warm and beautiful sound. Intonation is excellent. It make playing the Germanic repertoire way easier and more fun (let’s face it, V-I gets a bit boring at times). If you want the best rotary trumpet on the market, get a Schagerl.“
(Prof. Andrew Classen – Professor of Trumpet and Jazz Studies at Drake University)

About Prof. Andrew Classen

He is currently second trumpet with the Des Moines Symphony and principal trumpet with Orchestra Iowa. He has played in many of the Willis Broadway Series shows including: Wicked, Spamalot, Book of Mormon, Hairspray, Annie, Little Shop of Horrors, The Producers, Chicago (solo trumpet), The Full Monty, 42nd Street, and Thoroughly Modern Millie.

He often works as a clinician and guest artist for recitals, masterclasses and seminars, regionally, nationally and internationally. He has performed in China, Mexico, England and much of continental Europe. His classical trumpet album, It’s About Time, is available through Amazon or the iTunes store.

He is the leader of the Turner Center Jazz Orchestra, which just released their first album, Class ‘n Jazz: The Music of Andy Classen. His is also an active jazz composer. He currently has six compositions published through C.L. Barnhouse Publishing.

He received a Bachelor in Music Education degree from the University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire and a Master of Music degree in trumpet performance from the University of Tennessee. His principal trumpet teachers were Vincent Cichowicz at Northwestern University, William Adam at Indiana University, Robert Baca at the University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire and Cathy Leach at the University of Tennessee.

Andrew Classen became the inaugural holder of the Fred and Patty Turner Professorship in Jazz, thanks to a $1 million gift from Drake alumnus Fred Turner. Mr. Turner noted, “I am delighted to have the opportunity to support the future generations of musicians who will keep this art form alive. Creating a jazz professorship at my alma mater is a perfect fit. This is my own way of making sure the music plays on.”