The musicians placed first at the National Trumpet Competition held in Kingsville.
Texas Tech University’s trumpet studio placed first at the National Trumpet Competition for the first time in school history. The trumpet studio is one of many instrumental and vocal studios in the J.T. & Margaret Talkington College of Visual & Performing Arts’ (TCVPA) School of Music.
The large ensemble finalists performed (March 11) with results announced the following day. University of Colorado – Boulder followed Texas Tech in second place, with University of Houston placing third.
“This award is a testament to the talent and hard work of our students, as well as the quality of our faculty,” said TCVPA Dean Martin Camacho. “This well-deserved prize places the School of Music among the elite schools in the field.”
Leading the trumpet studio to victory were Associate Professor of Trumpet & Jazz Studies Kevin Whalen and Visiting Assistant Professor of Trumpet Julia Bell.
“While the ensemble was formed by players from the Texas Tech trumpet studio who study with Dr. Andrew Stetson, Dr. Julia Bell, and me, the group was primarily student-driven,” Whalen said. “Undergraduate and graduate students collaborated for over seven months to bring the work to life; the students selected the ensemble personnel, refined the arrangement, rehearsed the group multiple times a week and coached themselves toward an artistic achievement that would ultimately win first place at the National Trumpet Competition.”
Upon arriving at Texas A&M – Kingsville, students moved through preliminary, quarterfinal, semifinal and final rounds over the course of four days. Visiting judges represented Boston University, the Cincinnati Ballet Orchestra, Indiana University, the St. Louis Symphony and numerous other institutions.
Texas Tech’s trumpet studio first competed in the National Trumpet Competition 10 years ago. In the decade since, the studio focused on building a culture of teamwork and the mindset of community to eventually take home a national title.
“As a new faculty member at Texas Tech, the spirit and camaraderie in the trumpet studio and the work ethic and determination of our trumpet ensembles have been inspiring,” Bell said. “From 7 a.m. rehearsals, to countless mock performances, these students worked tirelessly to create a product of the highest possible quality.”
Texas Tech student composer and trumpet player Andrew Schofield provided an ambitious arrangement of Igor Stravinsky’s “Rite of Spring” which the studio played in competition.
“Taking such a large, dense piece and creating a sketch that resembles the original takes a greater knowledge of the instrument, for which I am very thankful to all my teachers over the past 10 years who have given me the knowledge and passion to pursue a career in music,” Schofield said. “I owe all this success to the students who tirelessly worked the past seven months to perfect the vision I had when I wrote this piece. Their determination is truly inspiring.”