Trumpet players from UCLA triumphed at the National Trumpet Competition held in Lexington, Kentucky
In the world of young, talented trumpeters, the National Trumpet Competition (NTC) stands as a beacon of excellence. Established in 1991, this competition, recognised as the largest instrument competition globally, recently welcomed a group of UCLA trumpet students, including Ellen Shinogle.
The NTC has a history of launching the careers of promising young artists. Notable alumni include Steven White, who reached the semi-final round in 2024, and other distinguished young trumpet players who have advanced to the live rounds. Although a comprehensive list of famous past performers directly linked to the NTC was not found, Steven White serves as a shining example of the calibre of artists who have gained recognition there.
Among the UCLA trumpet students, Ellen Shinogle, a graduate student, recently made headlines by winning first prize in the Blackburn Trumpets Graduate Solo Division at the NTC in Lexington, KY. She was awarded a $3000 cash prize for her exceptional performance.
Jens Lindemann, the head of the Brass Area in the UCLA Department of Music, praised the performances of the UCLA trumpet group at the NTC. In fact, four of the students - Ben Hare, Natalie Dungey, Chris Chervet, and Kayla Solomon - were chosen to compete as soloists at the NTC.
Ellen Shinogle's accompanist, Matthew Tong, played a crucial role in her success. The duo's performance was highly regarded, reflecting the high standard of collaboration within the UCLA music department.
Joining the ranks of past NTC performers such as Grammy Award winners Chris Botti, Maynard Ferguson, Randy Brecker, Doc Severinsen, Canadian Brass, Mnozil Brass, and Phil Smith, the UCLA trumpet group is making a name for itself in the world of music.
While the NTC does not appear to have extensive historical records publicly available, consulting the official National Trumpet Competition website or archives of the International Trumpet Guild might provide more targeted data for those seeking a comprehensive list of famous past performers.
As the UCLA trumpet group continues to excel, they are undoubtedly inspiring a new generation of young musicians to strive for excellence in their craft.
The UCLA trumpet group, including Ellen Shinogle, continues their journey of excellence in the National Trumpet Competition (NTC), traditionally a platform for education-and-self-development and entertainment, showcasing promising artists like themselves. Music being the universal language of communication, their performances resonate beyond the competition, with notable figures like Grammy Award winners Chris Botti, Maynard Ferguson, and others, also having graced the NTC stages in the past.
