Olympic Trumpets

The trumpet has an interesting and auspicious history.  The word "trumpets" is mentioned in the bible to depict the story of the Battle of Jericho. Other early military events also mention the trumpet. However it isn't the "trumpet" we know today with pistons (valves) and different pitches or the trumpet used by Sebastian Bach in his concertos.

Very early trumpets were nothing more than straight pipes made of bronze or brass with a mouthpiece stuck in them.   Aside from different military applications mentioned in history books few people realize that the "trumpet" goes back to the time before Christ to the time of the Olympics.  In fact at ancient games the playing (if you can call it that) of the trumpet was an Olympic event.   Now that comes as a surprise to many.

Documentation indicates that the playing of the trumpet was in some cases nothing more than the loudest blast the "player" could make on the "horn. "I remember seeing in one history book a leather face mask that these Olympians used to hold their embouchures together as they attempted these over-powering blares. (fffffffffff!!! Ouch that hurts!)

Apparently there was a panel of judges that determined who played the loudest.
(I guess there weren't any points awarded for "dynamics.") The early account of this event was in the 96th Olympics 396 BC. One has to visualize the games with chariot races and foot races and other athletic strength contests that became the forerunners of what we are seeing today.

One successful player (blaster) on the trumpet was Herodoros of Megara who had an illustrious career in these events. He won 10 consecutive games spanning a career that lasted 40 years.  (I'm sure his neighbours were delighted when they heard he finally retired after losing his lip...read teeth.)

The winners of these trumpet events were later asked to herald in the participants and winners of these other competitions.

At the height of his career Herodoros later became a player (heralder) for the King of Greece, King Demetrios Poliorketes.  (We can assume that he didn't practise long tones or that the players of that day bothered with the "non -pressure" system of blowing.)

Loud was in and Herodoros was the reigning champ of that period.
He was also famous for playing two "trumpets" at the same time also as loud as he could.  

It isn't mentioned whether this was an Olympic event or just him showing off.

Web space donated by Encore...The Concert Band www.encoretheconcertband.ca