Music is what brings us together, but there is much more to teaching than simply training musicians. If teaching is our calling—our vocation, the quality of our students' time with us will depend upon developing a trusting relationship, with a sense of "family" between the teacher and their students. Ultimately, our students’ successes will not come simply through methodology, but by understanding and claiming the principles that are the true foundation of a meaningful life in community.
Wiff Rudd
- Biographical Information
Wiff joined the faculty of Baylor University’s School of Music in 2002 as Professor of Trumpet and Brass Area Coordinator. In 2010 he received the Outstanding Faculty Award for Teaching and was named the Centennial Professor which provided a grant for the writing of his first book, Collaborative Practice Concepts. In 2020, he self-published (WR Enterprises) Side by Side: Building and Sustaining an Effective Community in the Music Studio. He was the 2021 recipient of the Elizabeth Vardaman Award for Excellence in Mentoring Undergraduates. In May of 2022, Wiff was awarded the International Trumpet Guild's Award of Merit for “substantial contributions to the art of trumpet playing through performance, teaching, publishing, research, and support of the goals of ITG.”
Baylor Trumpet Studio alumni have attended notable graduate schools and music festivals, teach in highly successful public school music programs, and perform in various symphony orchestras and chamber ensembles as well as premier and regional military bands across the country. Soloists and ensembles from the studio are consistently successful in National Trumpet Competition and International Trumpet Guild competitions. Since 2009, Baylor’s trumpet ensembles have won twelve prizes at NTC including six first-place wins. In 2023, Baylor trumpeters advanced in all categories of the ITG competitions (Jazz, Solo, Chamber, Orchestral Excerpts, Wind Band Excerpts, Conference Scholarships).
Wiff has been a Yamaha Performing Artist since 1986.