Dr. Alex Wilson has led the GVSU Trumpet Studio since 2015.  He holds a Bachelor's degree from GVSU and a Doctorate of Musical Arts from Arizona State University, where he studied with Professor David Hickman.  Alex has performed with the Phoenix Symphony and the Arizona Opera, and currently plays the occasional concert with the Grand Rapids Symphony, the Holland Symphony Orchestra, and the Traverse Symphony Orchestra.

A versatile soloist, Alex has published two solo CDs ("Volante" in 2022 and "Volti Subito" in 2016), performed at the 2013 International Trumpet Guild conference in Grand Rapids, and toured as a soloist for the Shen Yun Symphony Orchestra during two national tours, at venues including Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center.  He often appears as a guest soloist or clinician at local schools, and has also given performances and masterclasses internationally at venues such as the Tainan University of Technology in Taiwan, and the I Alcalá Trumpetfest in Spain.

A week in the life of a GVSU trumpet student includes:

• A one-on-one trumpet lesson, focused on the fundamental skills of trumpet playing, preparing solo repertoire, and sight-reading duets.
• Studio class with the entire studio.  Activities include performance (solos, etudes, chorales, and orchestral excerpts), arranging music, rehearsing for the studio recital, and short lectures on topics ranging from trumpet pedagogy, to gig etiquette, to basic repair and maintenance of the trumpet.
• Trumpet ensembles meet twice a week, once to rehearse and once for a coaching.  They perform on recitals and are often invited to compete the National Trumpet Competition.
• Rehearsals with one or more of GVSU's large ensembles, such as the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Symphony, or Jazz Orchestra.  GVSU is also home to an excellent Early Music Ensemble and an award-winning New Music Ensemble, for those who have a predilection for those more specialized genres.

Auditions

Trumpet auditions include two contrasting solos, movements, or etudes or your choice, as well as major and minor scales, and sight-reading.  Audition dates and music application form can be found at:

https://www.gvsu.edu/mtd/music-audition-information-13.htm

Contact Us

Prospective students are encouraged to contact Dr. Wilson at [email protected] to schedule a free lesson.  Please feel free to also ask any questions you may have about our trumpet studio, audition process, or music school!

Upcoming Events

Brass Day - January 25, 2026

2026 - Morgan Hare won a trial as principal trumpet of the Jackson Symphony.

2026 - the GVSU Trumpet Ensemble advanced to the live quarter-final rounds of the Small Ensemble Division of the 2026 National Trumpet Competition.  GVSU Trumpet Studio member Donovan Ford arranged the competition piece, Mendelssohn's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" overture for 6 trumpets.  Extra congratulations to Andrew Lasceski on also being accepted to the Undergraduate Solo Division, and to Donovan Ford for arranging the trumpet ensemble's competition piece (Mendelssohn's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" Overture for 6 trumpets).

2026 - Andrew Lasceski advanced to the live quarter-final rounds of the Undergraduate Solo Division of the 2026 National Trumpet Competition.

2025 - the GVSU Trumpet Ensemble advanced to the live quarter-final rounds of the Small Ensemble Division of the 2025 National Trumpet Competition, performing Kevin McKee's "Dürrenhorn Passage."

2025 - Alec Bossa won the GVSU Concerto Competition and performed Carl Hoehne's "Slavish Fantasy" with the GVSU Wind Symphony.

2024 - Andrew Lasceski and Donovan Ford advanced to the final round of the West Michigan Symphony's 3rd Trumpet audition.

2024 - Morgan Hare advanced to the live semifinal round of the International Trumpet Guild's Solo Competition.

GVSU Trumpet Studio Alumni

Performance

Willis Dotson - trumpeter with the US Army Regional Bands

Hunter Eberly - Principal Trumpet of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra

Morgan Hare - Principal Trumpet (trial) of the Jackson Symphony Orchestra.  Also a member of the Traverse City Philharmonic

David Koch - Assistant Principal Trumpet of the Traverse City Philharmonic.  Also a member of the Flint Symphony Orchestra and the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra.  Maker of the CookieMute.

Jeff Lewandowski - Trumpeter with The U.S. Army Ceremonial Band

Jeffrey Northman - Trumpeter with The U.S. Army Ceremonial Band

Music Education

Mason England - Director of bands at Manor Middle School (Texas)

Denton Grant - Band director at Ionia Public Schools

Kenzie Hauke - Music teacher at Cannonsburg Elementary School

Skye Hayes - Music teacher at Cedar Crest Elementary

Brenden Hoekstra - Band director at Allegan Middle and High Schools

Nina Morales - Music teacher at Northwest Elementary School

Erin Ray - Band director at Shelby Middle and High Schools

Recent Student Publications

Blake Sutherland - arrangement of "Ponyo on the Cliff" by Joe Hisaishi for trumpet quintet.

Alina Maes - arrangement of "Golden" from KPop Demon Hunters for trumpet quintet

Andy Lasckeski - arrangement of "I Want You Back" by The Jackson 5 for trumpet quintet

Liam Madell - arrangement of Jeremy Soule's "Elder Scrolls: Oblivion Opening Theme" for trumpet quintet

Liam Madell - arrangement of Steely Dan's "Dirty Work" for trumpet octet