The purpose of this thesis is to give the reader an insight into the development of solo trumpet literature as well as to present historical information concerning the development of the trumpet and the effect it had on the literature written for that instrument. Only music originally written for trumpet will be considered as the many transcriptions of older music that now appears are not characteristic of the idiomatic writing for trumpet at that time.

Although Willan is first and foremost a musician of the church, it is obvious that he has not cloistered himself in the organ and choir loft, as it were. As a composer he has written significantly in many fields, and as a teacher he has had a major influence in shaping the musical thought of a boundless number of Canadian musicians. As a musician of the church he has kept alive the great English traditions and made his own laudable and abundant contributions to church music practices. One of the first Canadian musicians of wide eminence, he has set an example worthy of the attention of younger Canadians who will contribute to the musical development of the nation.

Mainly, the purpose of this work is to give the brass instrument player a more thorough understanding of how to improve the many factors which combine to make up his technique as a whole; also, to give the brass instrument player a more thorough understanding of the construction and history of his instrument, as well as a list of books which can be useful in developing specific phases of brass instrument playing. In other words, this book is intended to be a help to all brass instrument players who want to learn more about their instrument as well as to improve on it.