As I’m out doorknocking, or meeting people at community events, occasionally someone will ask me why all of my campaign materials- lawn signs, fliers, stickers, buttons, etc.- feature a trumpet icon. “Do you really play the trumpet?” is a frequent question.
The main reason I use the trumpet icon is to help people remember my name- SpringHORN. I’m hoping some people will see my name on the ballot and think, “Oh yeah, the guy with the horn!” But in fact, as anyone who saw me walking in the Slice of Shoreview parade this year knows, I am indeed a trumpet player. While my friends and family were passing out candy, fliers, and stickers, I alternated between shaking hands of parade watchers and playing a tune on my trumpet.
I started playing in elementary school, and continued with band in junior high. In high school, I played trumpet in band, brass choir, and jazz band. In college, I played trumpet in band, orchestra, and jazz ensemble- and also took up French horn and saxophone as secondary instruments.
In my adult life, I have continued playing, most often at my church as a soloist or in instrumental ensembles, and continue to practice several times per week- even in the midst of a city council campaign! I have occasionally had private lesson students, and this summer took on a new student- my youngest daughter, who is a 5th grader at Island Lake Elementary, and is playing the same cornet I learned to play on (pictured below.)
It’s been fun on the campaign trail to meet up with other Shoreview residents who tell me that they also do or did play trumpet- there are a lot of us out there!
Cory (center) at a 6th grader at a perfomance in St. Paul’s Town Square Park with the Webster Magnet School Honor Band.
Cory (4th from left) as a 9th grader playing “Stars and Stripes Forever” with the Highland Park Senior High School Concert Band.
Cory (top row, right) as a college sophomore playing at the commencement ceremony at Central College in Pella, IA.
Cory (left) in 2012, playing during Advent with the Dixieland Band at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Shoreview.