Another national championship for Grand Valley

The Grand Valley State University Trumpet Ensemble, under the direction of Richard Stoelzel, associate professor of music, won first place in the 2006 National Trumpet Competition Trumpet Ensemble Division this past weekend at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA.

Fifty tapes were submitted for consideration for this years competition in the Trumpet Ensemble Division. Of the 29 ensembles selected as semi-finalists, two were from Grand Valley.

The GVSU ensemble placed higher than those from such prestigious music schools as Eastman, Juilliard, Oberlin, Cincinnati Conservatory, Boston University, DePaul, and others. Members of the GVSU Trumpet Ensemble are Quincy Ream, Robby McCabe, Jonathan Ruffer, Paul Mueller, and Jeff Lewandowski. Last year the ensemble won second place, losing by just one vote to UCLA.

Additionally, three Grand Valley students were awarded prizes in the National Trumpet Competition College Solo Competition. They are Robby McCabe, third prize; Jonathan Ruffer, fourth prize; and Jeff Lewandowski, sixth prize. One hundred twenty tapes were submitted for consideration. Five students from Grand Valley were among the 49 who were accepted as semi-finalists. Three of the six finalists were Grand Valley students.

Contact Information:
Professor Richard Stoelzel at [email protected]
Quincy Ream at [email protected]
Robby McCabe at [email protected]