📚 MICHAEL DROSTE

Songwriter, Trumpet Player, and Author

Michael Droste is a uniquely gifted artist whose creative work bridges melody, mastery, and meaning. A lifelong musician, accomplished author, and prolific songwriter, Droste has spent decades crafting a legacy rooted in musical excellence and lyrical storytelling.

The Musician’s Journey

Michael’s musical path began with the trumpet—an instrument he would come to know intimately, both as a performer and educator. Earning both his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from DePaul University in Chicago, Michael received a full scholarship in recognition of his talent and dedication. Over the years, he honed his skills as a lead trumpet player, notably performing with the dynamic ten-piece Motown band Bud and the Bananas, sharing stages with legendary acts such as The Spinners and The Four Tops, and performing for corporate giants like McDonald’s Corporation.

His trumpet playing has taken him from the practice rooms of academia to the lights of Midwest festivals and Chicago clubs—each performance a masterclass in tone, control, and expression. But Michael’s passion didn’t stop with performance; it evolved into a mission to teach, inspire, and equip the next generation of brass musicians. Through TrumpetStudio.com, he offers over 50 free trumpet books in downloadable PDF format, ranging from warm-ups and technical drills to jazz improvisation studies and lyrical phrasing exercises.

The Songwriter’s Voice

While trumpet may have been his first language, songwriting quickly became the voice of his soul. Michael Droste took on one of the most ambitious creative challenges imaginable: writing and recording one original song every day for an entire year. This relentless pursuit of daily creativity earned him the nickname “The Song-a-Day Guy”. The result? A deep reservoir of music that spans genres, moods, and themes—each track a snapshot of a moment, a memory, or a message.

From reflective ballads to high-energy pop, from Americana to experimental art rock, his songs carry a lyrical fingerprint all their own: poetic, accessible, and emotionally resonant. His Greatest Hits compilation distills the year-long journey into a curated selection of his best work—remastered, reimagined, and refined—for fans old and new.

The Author’s Pen

As a writer, Michael Droste is just as prolific. His bibliography includes music education texts, songwriting guides, and creative explorations designed to inform and inspire. Whether he’s demystifying the structure of a pop song or laying out advanced trumpet techniques, Michael writes with clarity, purpose, and the mind of a teacher who truly wants the reader to grow. His works have been used by students, educators, and independent artists across the globe.

His publishing projects often blend his passions—like his instructional books that combine theory, technique, and artistry for both trumpet players and songwriters. He also contributes regularly to blogs and music-centric websites, offering insider advice on songwriting, lyric writing, digital recording, and artistic discipline.

A Digital Creative Force

Beyond the notes and pages, Michael is also a digital creator and innovator, running multiple content-rich websites including OneSongEveryDay.com, TrumpetStudio.com, PlayTheBlues.com, and WindyTown.com—each serving as a hub for free resources, creative content, and artist support. His goal? To make the tools of music creation and education accessible to everyone, regardless of background or budget.

A Life in Harmony

At the heart of Michael Droste’s career is a commitment to creative excellence, lifelong learning, and sharing knowledge freely. Whether he’s soloing on stage, writing lyrics under moonlight, or helping a young trumpet student find their tone, Michael approaches every endeavor with passion, precision, and generosity.

For music, books, resources, and the spark of daily creativity, visit MichaelDroste.com and step into a world where the song never stops.