This blog will normally feature the discussions of Denis or Stephen Wick, but for our first I’d like to welcome you to the Denis Wick blogosphere. Denis has had a remarkable career dating close to 40 years of inspiring performance and brilliant mute and mouthpiece design. To think he started his company with a new mute design he invented because he did not like the mix of timber in the Philharmonic section is testimony to his “take charge” attitude. See – or hear a problem and design a revolutionary new mute, see – or hear another problem and design a great new mouthpiece. His “take charge” attitude goes beyond his designs. He’s transcribed hundreds of orchestrations for wind ensemble, he’s conducted wind groups all over, and still teaches at the Royal Academy at 78 years old!

While I have enjoyed many a beautiful solo from Denis and am certainly amazed at his design abilities, it’s his teaching that most fascinates me. In fact, the “take charge” attitude I spoke of shines again in his practice mute. Denis designed the practice mute for practicing – obviously, but have you seen his clinic on how to improve your airstream and tone production using the practice mute? It’s this teaching opportunity that is the essence of the practice mute. Check out Denis Wick performing artist Kirk Garrison conducting the clinic he learned from Denis. I cannot imagine any teacher not recommending this mute for his brass students. It’s such an efficient tool to accomplish really big things!

In future blogs we’ll talk to Denis about topics ranging from design, manufacturing, performance, composition and, of course, teaching.

Stay tuned.