Aaron Bahr

1 Year Teaching on Lessonface
Trumpet, Jazz Arranging, Jazz Composition, Jazz Improvisation, Music Theory
Lesson Fees
$60.00 / 30 Minutes
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About

Aaron Bahr is a trumpeter, composer, arranger, author, and educator based in New York City.  In 2024 he performed in the successful run as the trumpet player for the Tony Award Winning Broadway Musical “Illinoise” at the St. James Theater.  He is the published author of “Contemporary Trumpet Techniques” (BiM Publishing, 2023), a book of trumpet studies and etudes exploring advanced and innovative uses of the trumpet.  Bahr also has two albums out as a bandleader featuring his original composition and arrangements, Places, Real and Imagined (2021) and Prologue (2012).

Teaching Style

My lessons are centered around the wants and needs of my students. I use a combination of strategies from method books and custom-made materials to create a lesson plan for you specifically. I also believe in a judgement free learning experience, and will work with you at your level, from beginner to professional.

Curriculum

Trumpet:

My trumpet teaching methods draw from a variety of sources, depending on the ability and needs of the student.  Many are classic trumpet methods, some are more modern resources, and some I make myself.  

Sample recommended texts

Arban's Complete Conservatory Method

H.L. Clarke Technical Studies for Cornet

Bai-Lin Flexibilities for Brass

Jazz:

For beginning students, we start with call and response of simple jazz phrases to build a vocabulary to use in improvisation.  We discuss simple forms (like the blues) and harmonies to understand the basic concepts.  We build into transcription and performance and analyses of transcriptions to understand what the masters did in their improvisations.

Jazz Composition

Focus on understanding of music theory and techniques to effect harmony, melody, and rhythm to create compelling musical pieces.  Analyses of great composers to understand the way they developed their compositions, both in small groups (lead sheet) and large ensemble (fully orchestrated pieces.)  

Credentials & Affiliations

PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE

  • Trumpeter for Broadway Run of “Illinoise”- played trumpet for the broadway production of the musical “Illinoise” Saint James Theater, April-August 2024

  • Trumpeter for premiere performance of “Joy”- played trumpet and flugelhorn for the premiere production of the musical “Joy.” New Brunswick performing arts Center, December 2022

  • Japan Tour, toured 10 cities of Japan including the Artist Salon Dolce in Tokyo, Mr. Kenny’s in Nagoya, and the Tokushima Jazz Street festival as a member of the Jazz Quintet Groove Merchant performing original music, January 2017

  • Freelance Trumpeter, Jazz trumpet player playing Jazz Clubs in NYC, as well as weddings and events with several different wedding bands, including The Silver Arrow Band, Dance Floor, and the Yoely Fischer Group. Venues include Smalls, Fat Cat, The Jazzschool in Berkeley CA, The Monterey Jazz Festival, the Umbria Jazz Festival, The Blue Frog in Mumbai, Wally’s Cafe Jazz Club, and Scullers Jazz Club. 2008- present.

  • Performed with, Dave Liebman, Kevin Eubanks, Ron Carter, Don Hahn, Fukushi Tainaka, Donny McCaslin, Dave Holland, others

 

COMPOSITION AND ARRANGING EXPERIENCE

  • Arranger for “The Musical Note”: arranger, transcriber, and orchestrator of music for various instrumentations, including string and wind ensembles. April 2022-present

  • Composer and Arranger: Composed and arranged original music for two albums. Freelance credits include Takeshi Ohbayashi and Jernej Bervar. August 2011-present

  • Composer and joint conductor for Composer’s Big Band, Composed music for and lead weekly rehearsals and concerts of the New England Conservatory Big Band. 2013-2014

    REPRESENTATIVE RECOGNITIONS

  • SF Jazz HUT Foundation Alumni Commission Award- Commission awarded to a single SF Jazz High School All-stars big band alumni San Francisco, CA, 2015

  • 1st place- Jazz in the Neighborhood Emerging Composer Competition- awarded for my composition Rubatosis, August 2015

  • Maria Schneider Mentorship, Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA, 2010.

 

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS
Graduated Magna Cum Laude, MA in Jazz Composition, New England Conservatory,

Boston, MA, June 2014.

Graduated Magna Cum Laude, BM in Jazz Composition, Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA, Aug 2011. Earned the following academic awards:

  • Charles Mingus Jazz Composition Award, Apr 2011.

  • Art Farmer Brass Performance Award, Apr 2011.

  • Jimmy Lyons Scholar, Apr 2008. PUBLICATION CREDITS

• Contemporary Trumpet Techniques a book of trumpet exercises and etudes, centered around advanced and extended techniques. BIM publishing July 2023.