Fantasia Trumpet Ensemble Headed to International Competition
Ensemble members are (from left) Brody King of Nashville, Ark., Rebecca Wertenberger of Bryant, Carlos Mejia of Springdale, Audrey Alpha of Olive Branch, Miss., and Cody Daughertee of Poplar Bluff, Mo.
JONESBORO – The Fantasia Trumpet Ensemble at Arkansas State University has been selected to perform in two prestigious competitions in the spring of this year.
The students are directed by Dr. Nairam Simoes, assistant professor of music, and Sam Oliveri, instructor in music.
The ensemble earned a semifinalist designation to participate in the 2023 International Trumpet Guild's Chamber Music Division of the Ryan Anthony Memorial Trumpet Competition, set for May 31 in Minneapolis.
“They have been selected as one of top student chamber ensembles in the world to participate in this year’s contest,” Simoes said in congratulating the students for their hard work.
These students also have made it into the live rounds of the National Trumpet Competition, March 25-27 at the University of Colorado-Boulder. They competed with about 150 other ensembles in the country to advance to the quarterfinals of the peer-reviewed and juried competition.
