GVSU trumpeter wins international competition

Jeff Lewandowski, a junior at Grand Valley State University from Livonia, was awarded First Prize in the orchestral excerpt competition at the International Trumpet Guild Conference held on the campus of the University of Massachusetts in Amherst May 28-June 3.

Three students, all from Michigan, were chosen as finalists; two students from the University of Michigan (one graduate student and one undergraduate), along with Lewandowski.

The conference newsletter stated Lewandowski demonstrated an impressive dynamic range with dramatic difference in volume between the two passages in Fetes being a prime example of his dynamic precision. The article stated “Lewandowski's musicality was also notable and clearly displayed during his dance-like interpretation of Christmas Oratorio.”

The Grand Valley State University Trumpet Ensemble, under the direction of Richard Stoelzel, was invited to perform at the conference. Winners of the 2006 National Trumpet Competition, the ensemble received warm praise. Members of the ensemble are Jeff Lewandowski, Paul Mueller, Jonathan Ruffer, Jeffrey Northman, and Hunter Eberly. They have garnished a total of eight international awards (2 first place, 4 second place, 2 third place) and 10 national awards.

Stoelzel was a guest artist and performed on three programs receiving high critical acclaim. He performed on the New Works Program, the Festival of Trumpets, and the Music of James Stephenson program featuring two works written for Stoelzel. Eric Tanner, artist-faculty at Grand Valley and a member of the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra also performed on a trio with Stoelzel. Stoelzel will be recording both of these compositions for his second solo CD later this summer.

For more information about Jeff Lewandowski, contact Richard Stoelzel at Grand Valley State University, (616) 331-3484, or visit the conference Web site at http://tpin.okcu.edu/2007conferencecoverage .