Bugle Boy
Published on March 5th, 2003
STONEHAM, MA - While Stoneham has in residence what some consider one of the best school trumpet players in the country, you would never know it by talking to him.
"He's that good," says one who knows music.
Stoneham High School Senior Eric Blackman is by all accounts pretty modest with regard to his enormous talent and impressive accomplishments.
So, just talk to someone else to find out about the talented 17 year-old in our midst.
"He's so outstanding," said the man in the know, Stoneham Public Schools Director of Performing Arts Bob Lague. "He's Stoneham's All American."
In fact, Lague says that in his 35 years of teaching music, there have been only two or three other student musicians he has felt this strongly about.
"Every once in a while, someone this talented comes along."
Performances, auditions, and concert tours are every bit a part of Blackman's life as are exams, homework and band practice. As a graduating senior, Blackman has a bit more on his plate than usual these days.
"I don't think I've ever been so busy," Blackman told the Independent. But being selected to perform first seat in an orchestra is just another day in the life of this high schooler who appreciates the opportunities to play his music, but still worries about making the honor roll this term.
Throw auditions for music schools into the mix and you will find one busy kid who still refuses to let the pressure get to him.
While classmates nervously await college acceptances, Blackman remains calm about the six auditions lined up that will ultimately shape his future as a professional trumpet player. Blackman will audition for The Juilliard School in New York, The Curtis Institute in Philadelphia, The Manhattan School of Music, The New England Conservatory, The Eastman School of Music, and Boston University.
"I'm not nervous. I've done so many before. I'm used to the process even though there is more on the line."
He may not be anxious, but the same can't be said for his parents. Mel Blackman said he gets the butterflies that his son shrugs off.
"He's more nervous about not making the honor roll," Mel said. He praised the Stoneham High School administration for its flexibility in allowing his son time to attend his auditions and make up class work.
No stranger to the music world, the elder Blackman is an accomplished clarinetist who has performed alongside his son in the high school's annual theatrical productions and who, along with his wife, have helped raise funds for the high school band.
It was Mel who pointed Eric toward the trumpet because, he said, "Stoneham needed a trumpet player."
His son fulfilled that need and then some.
"He plays the trumpet like you wouldn't believe," Lague said.
Blackman first picked up the trumpet as a fifth grader at Colonial Park School. When he was in eighth grade, he made the Junior District Band. His interest in music began to flourish and today, he is what Lague calls "probably the best school trumpet player in the country."
His talent for music is complemented by his personality and down to earth manner. With all that Blackman does in his quest to prepare himself for a career in classical trumpet, he never hesitates to join his Stoneham High School Band mates on the football field.
"You see what he's accomplished and he wouldn't say bull about it. He's incredible," said Mel.
"He's a good kid," Lague added. In fact, he suspects that the A student with a great personality could probably teach Lague's Harmony Theory class.
In January, Blackman scored highest in the North East District Audition, winning a first seat in the orchestra and a scholarship to the music school of his choice.
This weekend, Blackman will perform with the Massachusetts Youth Wind Ensemble in an opening concert at the Music Educators All Eastern Concert in Providence. At the end of the month, he will travel to Ohio for five days where he will perform as a first seat trumpet in the National Music String Educators Honors Orchestra at the National String Teachers Convention.
For the third year in a row, he has secured a first seat in the orchestra at the All State Honors Orchestra for a March 22 performance at Symphony Hall.
Blackman also performs each week with the New England Conservatory Preparatory School and has made a professional recording with the New England Conservatory Youth Philharmonic Orchestra which is due out in the spring.
Blackman's love of the trumpet has been cultivated by private music instructors through the years. He currently studies with Charles Schlueter, first seat trumpet player for the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Last summer, Blackman spent time in Tanglewood for an intense two-week program with the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. This summer his music will take him further, as he plans to perform in a 17-day concert tour of Panama and Guatemala with the New England Conservatory Youth Philharmonic Orchestra.
Music school plans for next year should be finalized by the time Blackman leaves.
"I think (music schools) will be begging for him...There is no one else with national recognition like this," Lague said.
If that is not enough of a vote of confidence, Lague also thinks that following music school, Blackman will have his pick of symphony orchestras with which to play.
Blackman has helped the fine arts program at Stoneham High School with its goal of connecting the community at large through collaborations with the Stoneham Theatre and StonehamCreates.
"In a few years, everyone is going to know this kid's name," Lague predicted.
He's that good.
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