​After graduating magna cum laude from Wichita State University
with a degree in music education, Alan Hamant was appointed director of
instrumental music at Wichita High School South where he directed
award-winning bands, orchestras and jazz ensembles. Then, while
attending Graduate school at the University of Kansas, Mr. Hamant was
awarded the first ever Graduate Assistantship in Trumpet.
While
at KU, he performed as a member of the University of Kansas Faculty
Brass Quintet and as principal trumpet in all KU student ensembles, as
well as professionally with the Lawrence Symphony, Topeka Jazz Workshop,
and the Kansas City Philharmonic. Before leaving KU, Mr. Hamant was a
finalist in the International Trumpet Guild Solo Competition and a
winner of the Yamaha Musical Instruments Soloist Competition. After
graduating with a Master of Music in Trumpet Performance, he was
appointed director of bands and instructor of trumpet at the University
of Wisconsin/Superior and principal trumpet in the Duluth
Symphony. While at Wisconsin, the UWS Jazz Ensemble was awarded 1st
place in the NAJE Jazz Festival at Lacrosse, Wisconsin, making Mr.
Hamant one of the few to win NAJE sanctioned festivals at both the high
school and college level.
In 1980, Mr. Hamant became professor
of trumpet and co-director of the Fightin' Blue Hen Marching Band at the
University of Delaware. While at Delaware, Hamant performed as
associate principal of the Delaware Symphony, Opera Delaware, the
Delaware Brass Quintet and the University of Delaware Faculty Jazz
Ensemble, and as soloist with numerous regional bands, orchestras and
big bands. He has performed at the Kennedy Center (Washington, D.C.),
Lincoln Center (New York City), and the Academy of Music
(Philadelphia). Noted performers with which Hamant has performed include
Ray Charles, Henri Mancini, Clark Terry, Arlo Guthrie, Frankie Valli,
Philip Farkas, The Eastman Brass Quintet, Doc Severinson, Yo-Yo Ma, The
Shirelles, Buddy Greco, Herbie Hancock, Donald Byrd and many others.
Having
retired from playing, Mr. Hamant teaches a course in the History Rock
and Roll, and the trumpet portion of Brass Methods for music education
majors.
