Norman J. Hunt
Encyclopedia
Norman J. Hunt was a composer
, conductor
, arranger
, and performer in the big band
era, covering a wide range of musical styles including classical music, jazz
, and was a featured soloist on many recordings and performances globally. His instrument of choice was the trombone
, although he had a mastery of most brass instruments.
He received his B.A. from Brigham Young University
in 1947, and subsequently studied at the Paris Conservatory of Music under André Lafosse
for two years (1950–1951) where he lived in Paris
with his wife Evelyn Hunt and their son Steven Hunt.
In 1960, Walt Disney
(then Head of Pageantry for the Winter Olympics) offered Hunt the job of leading the musical productions for the VIII Olympic Winter Games
, which he accepted.
In the year 1966, Hunt received his Ph.D.
from the University of California, Berkeley
school of Music, culminating his educational achievements.
In 1968, Hunt was elected to the American Bandmasters Association
.
Hunt was also a professor of music and author
, writing a text on the proper teaching of brass instruments called Guide to Teaching Brass (ISBN 0-697-03484-4), Brass ensemble method: Beginning class instruction in trumpet
, French horn, trombone
, baritone
, and tuba
(College instrumental technique series) (ISBN 0-697-03498-4) and A study of the use of Baroque
brass ensemble literature
in instrumental music teacher education.
Hunt taught Music and eventually was the head of the Music Department at California State University, Sacramento
. Hunt was previously a professor
of Music at Brigham Young University
in Provo, Utah
before moving to California in the 1960s.
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, conductor
Conducting
Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance by way of visible gestures. The primary duties of the conductor are to unify performers, set the tempo, execute clear preparations and beats, and to listen critically and shape the sound of the ensemble...
, arranger
Arranger
In investment banking, an arranger is a provider of funds in the syndication of a debt. They are entitled to syndicate the loan or bond issue, and may be referred to as the "lead underwriter". This is because this entity bears the risk of being able to sell the underlying securities/debt or the...
, and performer in the big band
Big band
A big band is a type of musical ensemble associated with jazz and the Swing Era typically consisting of rhythm, brass, and woodwind instruments totaling approximately twelve to twenty-five musicians...
era, covering a wide range of musical styles including classical music, jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
, and was a featured soloist on many recordings and performances globally. His instrument of choice was the trombone
Trombone
The trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
, although he had a mastery of most brass instruments.
He received his B.A. from Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
in 1947, and subsequently studied at the Paris Conservatory of Music under André Lafosse
André Lafosse
André Lafosse was a Professor of music at the Paris Conservatory of Music. He taught many individuals who would later go on to achieve global prominence, including Dr. Norman J. Hunt...
for two years (1950–1951) where he lived in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
with his wife Evelyn Hunt and their son Steven Hunt.
In 1960, Walt Disney
Walt Disney
Walter Elias "Walt" Disney was an American film producer, director, screenwriter, voice actor, animator, entrepreneur, entertainer, international icon, and philanthropist, well-known for his influence in the field of entertainment during the 20th century. Along with his brother Roy O...
(then Head of Pageantry for the Winter Olympics) offered Hunt the job of leading the musical productions for the VIII Olympic Winter Games
1960 Winter Olympics
The 1960 Winter Olympics, officially known as the VIII Olympic Winter Games, were a winter multi-sport event held between February 18 and 28, 1960 in Squaw Valley, California, United States. In 1955 at the 50th IOC meeting, the organizing committee made the surprise choice to award Squaw Valley as...
, which he accepted.
In the year 1966, Hunt received his Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
from the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
school of Music, culminating his educational achievements.
In 1968, Hunt was elected to the American Bandmasters Association
American Bandmasters Association
The American Bandmasters Association was formed in 1929 by Edwin Franko Goldman to promote concert band music. Goldman sought to raise esteem for concert bands among musicians and audiences...
.
Hunt was also a professor of music and author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
, writing a text on the proper teaching of brass instruments called Guide to Teaching Brass (ISBN 0-697-03484-4), Brass ensemble method: Beginning class instruction in trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
, French horn, trombone
Trombone
The trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
, baritone
Baritone
Baritone is a type of male singing voice that lies between the bass and tenor voices. It is the most common male voice. Originally from the Greek , meaning deep sounding, music for this voice is typically written in the range from the second F below middle C to the F above middle C Baritone (or...
, and tuba
Tuba
The tuba is the largest and lowest-pitched brass instrument. Sound is produced by vibrating or "buzzing" the lips into a large cupped mouthpiece. It is one of the most recent additions to the modern symphony orchestra, first appearing in the mid-19th century, when it largely replaced the...
(College instrumental technique series) (ISBN 0-697-03498-4) and A study of the use of Baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
brass ensemble literature
Literature
Literature is the art of written works, and is not bound to published sources...
in instrumental music teacher education.
Hunt taught Music and eventually was the head of the Music Department at California State University, Sacramento
California State University, Sacramento
California State University, Sacramento, popularly known as Sacramento State, is a public university located in the city of Sacramento, California. It is part of the California State University system...
. Hunt was previously a professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of Music at Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University
Brigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...
in Provo, Utah
Provo, Utah
Provo is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Utah, located about south of Salt Lake City along the Wasatch Front. Provo is the county seat of Utah County and lies between the cities of Orem to the north and Springville to the south...
before moving to California in the 1960s.