Hello all... I'm originally a trumpet player, but lately I've been delving into a slew of different instruments (for example: Violin, Guitar, Flute, Piano, and Cornet). Well, I just recently bought a 1957 Conn Director Cornet, and although I'm still waiting on it's arrival, I'm curious as to how well a cornet like this will play.
I love an instrument with history, so I was also wondering what significance, if any, this model may have.
Along with this cornet, I bought a 3C Kelly Mouthpiece because i feel the need for change and improvement, and am also curious of what kind of difficulty I might have adjusting, since I've been playing a Conn 7C for my whole musical career.
Basically, I bought this cornet as an act of defiance against my new band director...
he has driven everything the band has worked for into the ground... I am now entering into my Senior Year of Marching band, and although I've treated him with the utmost respect in trying to help him adjust in the new position of band director, he still treats me as a know-nothing freshman. This man has taken the position of one of the most beloved band directors that my school has ever seen, and he's trying to reverse the 35 years of work that has been accomplished, so I intend to make myself heard. We have no cornets in our band. In fact, no one besides me has taken even the slightest interest in it, so out of the entire band, I will be the only cornet, and I want to know how to make it sound it's best.
Could any of you help me?

Hi there,

I played a Conn Director silver plated trumpet I bought new in 1968 for around $200.00. That was a lot of money to kid in 8th grade then. I played it in marching band and orchestra throughout High school, through good (teachers/directors) and bad. Well getting out of school and having to go to work for a living sidetracked playing and I lost the instrument during a move (stolen by the movers?). A short time ago I purchased a Conn Director Cornet same year model as my trumpet. I also got a 5C mouthpeice, Bach. I used to play a 7c and I also have a 7c. The Cornet is much easier for me to play than the trumpet was. It does require as much air, and a good sound can be produced with the lips looser on the mouthpiece. The 5c is more comfortable and is easier to play than a 7C without compromising the high note hitting ability.

Don't fret too much about the director and the band. Your high school life is almost over. If you really love playing the trumpet/Cornet, concentrate on that and keep it up.

I started on a cornet my 6th grade year,and it was a Conn.I don't know much about it because it belonged to my late grandfather.But it takes a lot of air to hit high notes,which was hard for me my first 2 years of playing.But if this is your senior year,then you should do well on it.but it's easier to go from cornet to trumpet than trumpet to cornet.trust me.

Yeah... I found that after I got my Cornet, it quickly became my best friend. It went with me to every game and played like a champ. It even gave me that unique sound I was looking for.

The year's finally over, and so is my Marching Band Career. Finally after the Band Director threatened to kick me out of the band over an issue about a cup of coffee, we resolved our differences and established an appreciation for one another. After he realized how capable I am and that I respond much better to rational judgment, and after I eased off of the little rebel in me, we got along a little better. He even let me conduct the band a few times in his stead as a substitute and teach his guitar class while he was out for a couple of days. Jolly good fun.