Trumpet players have opportunities to win a range of scholarship awards.
Trumpet performers benefit from various categories of scholarships to suit different levels of skill and to broaden the music and performing arts experience. Music guilds, foundations and universities hold competitions that offer scholarship prize money as well as opportunities to participate in and win scholarships for workshops, festivals and conferences. Some of these opportunities open the doors to firsthand learning through performances with famous musicians and orchestras.
Live Concert Competitions
Honoring the world-famous brass teacher, the Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition takes place at Missouri State University in Springfield. Sponsored by the International Trumpet Guild in cooperation with the Herb Alpert Foundation, the competition is open to trumpet performers born after September 23, 1981, who are not under major artist management. Performers must submit an unedited mp3 recording, lead sheets with accurate choral changes, a document to verify date of birth and a $100 application fee. The recording must include a ballad, Latin jazz, a contemporary funk-rock fusion tune and a jazz waltz, among other selections. Five finalists compete in a live concert at the university's Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts, drawing lots to decide the performing order. As of 2011, the first prize was $10,000 and the second prize was $5,000. Additionally, all finalists receive up to $500 to cover travel expenses.
Workshops and Festivals
Fellowships and scholarships are available for "The Art of Sound" Summer Brass Institute, an intensive workshop and festival in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. This program provides opportunities to advanced trumpeters, generally 18 years of age or older, to rehearse and perform with top professional brass players. Full-day sessions include rehearsals, coaching, lessons and master classes. The fellowship covers tuition and room and board based on ability only, while the scholarship covers only part of the total cost based on ability and financial need. Scholarship applications call for a letter to explain the extent of financial need.
Trumpet performers must submit an unedited CD of unaccompanied playing of two movements from a Haydn or Hummel concerto, "Ballerina's Dance" from Stravinsky's "Petrouchka," Mahler 5 opening and movement 2 solo from Ottorino Respighi's "Pines of Rome." A strong letter of recommendation is also a requirement.
Fellowships go to 10 brass musicians, including four trumpet players, selected by audition. On acceptance to the program, applicants pay a $100 fee.
Orchestral and Educational Opportunities
The International Trumpet Guild (ITG) Youth website lists several competitions for young trumpet performers to pursue as of 2010. In LaGrange, Georgia, the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra Young Artists Competition is for trumpeters under 26 years of age. First prize is $1,500 and the opportunity to perform solo with the orchestra. Second and third prizes are $1,000 and $500 respectively.
The Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) High School Performance Competitions offer prizes ranging from a $100 award and certificate for national finalists, to a $1,000 award and plaque for the national winner.
The National Trumpet Competition at George Mason University in Arlington, Virginia, is for high school students between 14 and 18 years old. First prize is $1,000 and second prize is $200.
Conference Participation
Several memorial funds established since 1974 enable trumpet performers to attend the annual ITG Conference and participate in the student performance competitions that are part of the conference program. The funds honor distinguished individuals in the field of trumpet music.
The Karl Kletsch Memorial Fund, named for the former principal trumpet of the Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, provides prize awards for the competitions. Scholarship money for students to attend the conference comes from funds like the Donald P. Bullock Memorial Scholarship Fund honoring the late professor of trumpet at Western Michigan University, and the Richard B. Lehman Memorial Scholarship Fund, named for the late trumpet performer and solo cornetist with the Marine Band in Washington D.C.
Marching Bands
Music for All (MFA) is a national music education organization whose programs include Bands of America and Orchestra America. Trumpet performers, who are prominent members of marching bands benefit through the MFA Marching Band Scholarships. As of 2011, these awards included the $2,000 Jolesch Scholarship, the $1,000 Fred. J. Miller Family Scholarship and the $1,000 Yamaha Scholarship. These awards are for graduating seniors nominated by the directors of bands competing at the MFA Bands of America Grand National Championships. Nominees must plan to study music education and show exceptional musicianship, leadership skills and work ethic.
Tags: Bands America, based ability, competitions that, financial need, First prize
