Ensemble of Trumpet Students Earns Spot in National Trumpet Competition
Members of the trumpet ensemble directed by Dr. Nairam Simoes are (from left) Zane Kenzik of Mason, Ohio, Cody Daughertee of Poplar Bluff, Mo., Grayden Fields of Batesville, Carlos Mejia of Springdale, and Jeremiah Hendrix of Bald Knob.
JONESBORO – Because of their quality performance entry, an ensemble of trumpet students from Arkansas State University has advanced to the National Trumpet Competition for the third consecutive year.
“The National Trumpet Competition stands as the foremost and most esteemed competition in its category,” said Dr. Nairam Simoes, assistant professor of trumpet at A-State and adviser to the students. “Notably, this competition is peer-reviewed and juried, making it the largest of its kind globally.”
Each year, more than 3,000 students from more than 40 states and six other countries participate in this highly-regarded event.
The featured students include Grayden Fields, a second-year master’s program student, from Batesville; Carlos Mejia, a first-year master’s student from Springdale; Cody Daughertee, a senior from Poplar Bluff, Mo.; Jeremiah Hendrix, junior from Bald Knob; and Zane Kenzik, sophomore from Mason, Ohio.
In December 2023, the students submitted a video recording for consideration. Following adjudication by a national jury composed of trumpet artists and educators, the students earned a place in the quarterfinals round of the competition, Simoes explained.
The live rounds are scheduled to take place March 8-11 at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
This year approximately 200 ensembles from across the country submitted videos, with only 40 ensembles selected to compete in the small ensemble category.
Simoes also serves as a judge for the national competition, in the undergraduate solo division. He also is editor of the orchestral spotlight column in the International Trumpet Guild Journal, and a member of the board of directors of the Brazilian Trumpet Guild.
