A community recording project honoring the companion duet parts by Jim Olcott.
The 36 Études Transcendantes by Theo Charlier are among the most important works in trumpet study. Central to trumpet training around the world, these études are often approached as technical exercises, but each one carries strong musical character. Performing them as duets - using companion parts written by Jim Olcott - reveals inner voices and musical dialogue not always heard in solo performance. What began as a pedagogical tool becomes a genuine conversation between two players.
This project is an evolving archive celebrating collaboration, pedagogy, and the musical legacy of the trumpet community.
Jim Olcott wrote companion duet parts to all 36 Charlier études, creating a way for students and performers to experience these works collaboratively.
These duet parts began the Companion Series at Triplo Press. The term "companion book" originated with this publication and later spread widely through music publishing.
This project honors Jim Olcott's work and his lasting influence on trumpet pedagogy.
James L. Olcott is a native of Berkeley, California, and one of the most influential figures in trumpet ensemble music. He served as Professor of Trumpet at Miami University in Ohio for 35 years before retiring as Professor Emeritus, and held the position of principal trumpet with the Cincinnati Ballet Orchestra for close to 25 years.
Jim served the International Trumpet Guild as Secretary, Vice President, and President, and was awarded the ITG Award of Merit in 2005 for his substantial contributions to the trumpet world through performance, teaching, publishing, and composition. He remains active on the ITG Editorial Committee.
In 1989, Jim founded Triplo Press - now one of the world's largest publishers devoted exclusively to trumpet ensemble music, with a catalog of over 240 works ranging from three to 36 trumpets. The name "Triplo" comes from the first letters of his last name and his longtime home of Oxford, Ohio: triple "O," condensed.
Jim founded the Cincinnati Herald Trumpet Ensemble and currently directs the Twin Cities Trumpet Ensemble, a 24-member performing ensemble based in Minneapolis. He has conducted trumpet ensembles across the United States, Europe, and Asia throughout a career spanning more than 45 years.
Jim had been improvising second parts behind his students' Charlier études for years when one of them simply asked why he hadn't written them down. He composed all 36 companion parts during the summer of 2000 while on faculty at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp.
The companion parts debuted at the ITG Conference in Richmond, Indiana, where Dave Baldwin and Ramon Vasquez performed several of them during Baldwin's Charlier presentation. The book was reviewed favorably in the January 2002 ITG Journal and quickly gained traction in the United States and Europe.
Each companion part stands as an independent étude in its own right - challenging without being impractical - and as Jim put it, playing them "will change the way you play the original études."
With the original Charlier étude book now in the public domain, Triplo Press is preparing a new duet edition featuring the original études alongside Jim Olcott's companion parts in a single, beautifully formatted score. This edition will present both parts together for the first time, making it easier than ever to rehearse and perform these duets.
When you sign up for an étude in this project, we will provide you with a PDF of your selected duet from this new edition to use for your recording.
Duos of trumpet players select an available étude and record it together. There is no deadline. Recordings are reviewed before public release. Approved recordings become part of a permanent listening archive.
Browse the grid below and select an available étude. Each étude can only be reserved by one duo at a time.
Enter the names and emails of both players. You'll receive a confirmation email along with a PDF of the duet from the new Triplo Press edition and a private link to upload your recording.
Record your duet as an MP3 or WAV file and upload it using your private link. There's no deadline - take the time you need.
Recordings are reviewed and, once approved, become part of the permanent listening library for everyone to enjoy.
For questions, contact charlier2@triplo.com.
This project is open to trumpet players of all levels - students, teachers, professionals, and enthusiasts. All you need is a partner and a willingness to make music together.
Browse the étude grid above, find one that's available, and sign up with your duo partner. Once registered, you'll receive your duet PDF from the upcoming Triplo Press edition and a private upload link.
There are no deadlines. Take the time you need to prepare and record a performance you're proud of. Recordings are reviewed before publication to ensure quality, and once approved, your performance becomes a permanent part of this growing archive.
Questions? Reach out at charlier2@triplo.com.