Bugles for heroes: Luke Halling plays in 2024 Veterans Day service

On Veterans Day, the solemn notes of taps and retreat will ring out across campus and be heard in the Veterans Day concert that evening.  

Taps is a short, solemn bugle call traditionally played during United States military funerals and memorials and to signify the end of the day on military bases. It is played often and associated with honoring fallen soldiers.  

Retreat is another bugle call traditionally played on military bases around sunset to signal the end of the official duty day. It marks a moment of respect for the U.S. flag as it is lowered in the evenings.  

These two bugle calls will be played by a student as USU honors those who served or are currently serving. 

Playing the trumpet in three major events this Veterans Day is Luke Halling. Halling is not a veteran but volunteers his time to play in these services.  

Halling is a senior double-majoring in music performance and music education. 

Halling has been playing the trumpet for over 10 years and participates in several musical groups on campus including the Wind Orchestra, USU Jazz Orchestra, USU Symphony Orchestra, brass band and a brass quintet.  

“Last year, I played taps also on Veterans Day,” Halling said. “I’m playing a retreat, which is just another bugle call, at 4:30 p.m. also on Veterans Day, outside the TSC. Then, I’m playing in the Veterans Day concert that same night.”  

The concert will feature the American Festival Chorus along with the USU Symphony Orchestra as it honors those who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. military. 

Interested in private lessons for the trumpet, Halling and his parents got in contact with Max Matzen, associate professor of trumpet at USU.  

“I’ve known Luke for the past six years,” Matzen wrote to The Utah Statesman in an email. “He studied trumpet with me here at USU during his time as a high school student and during his time with us as an undergraduate music major.”  

Halling played taps in high school a few times, including through an audition process to play in a Veterans Day assembly. He also played taps at the 9/11 commemorative stair climb this year.  

Typically, taps is played on a bugle, a very simple brass instrument with no valves, or buttons, to change the notes, so it is limited to only playing natural, or “open,” notes. The tune has been made to fit within the bugle’s range. The simplicity of playing only “open” notes creates its unique and solemn sound.   

Halling plays taps on a Bb trumpet, which has three valves versus none. This means the valves allow him to play many different notes. However, in order to play taps, the player presses no valves and only plays the “open” notes to mimic the sound of the bugle.  

Halling takes inspiration from the performances of taps over Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Nevada.  

Andy Allen, executive director of the Veterans Resource Office at USU, reached out to Matzen to find a trumpet player to play taps for the services. Matzen invited Halling to take the opportunity. 

“Luke is a very solid young trumpeter with very dependable skills,” Matzen wrote. “For something as important as a Veteran’s Day service it is important to maintain the tradition of excellence trumpeting/bugling. The same can be said for many services for our armed forces.”  

After his performances this Veterans Day, Halling will present his senior recital on Dec. 12 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Logan. The performance will include five solos with an accompanying pianist, resulting in an hour long recital.  

“Luke is a very stable young trumpeter. In pressurized situations like this, many musicians can get upended by nerves and have a shaky performance. Luke has learned to handle this aspect of performance with grace, and is quite dependable,” Matzen wrote.  

Halling hopes to student teach for a band class next semester at a nearby school and plans on furthering his musical journey.   

“He soon will be auditioning for some of America’s leading graduate programs in music, and I am confident he will continue to be a success story for our music department here at Utah State,” Matzen wrote.  

This Veterans Day will have many services for students and families to attend, and several will include Halling’s music. The events provide a chance to remember and show respect for veterans and current members serving in the military.