ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – For the first time in school history, Winthrop University’s Trumpet Ensemble will compete in the live round of the National Trumpet Competition (NTC), scheduled for March 12-16, 2025, at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas. The university’s ensemble will also be the only collegiate ensemble from South Carolina.
The NTC is the largest and most prestigious competition for trumpet players in the United States. The Winthrop Trumpet Ensemble will face hundreds of other colleges and universities in the Large Ensemble division, including the University of Cincinnati, University of California Los Angeles and Florida State University.
Trumpet Instructor Marisa Youngs leads the ensemble and has been involved with the NTC since 2010.
“As a former NTC performer and current judge in other divisions, I can tell you firsthand that the level of performance at this competition is phenomenal,” Youngs said. “NTC represents the best trumpet players in the nation, from middle school through the doctoral level. Our students rehearsed many hours each week outside of their regular class schedules, and I couldn’t be more proud of their accomplishment!”
The Winthrop Trumpet Ensemble is comprised of:
*Josh Frye ’25, music technology;
*Olivia Clifton ’26, music performance;
*Lilie Robles Smith ’27, music education;
*Will Isenhour ’27, music performance;
*Nathan Brown ’27, music education;
*Riley Lazar ’28, music education; and
*Michael Mott ’28, music performance.
The ensemble will perform Eric Ewazen’s arrangement of “Fantasia for 7 Trumpets.”
See their journey and learn more about the students at @winthroptrumpets on Instagram.
Local connections
The Clover High School Trumpet Ensemble also advanced to the live round in the high school division competition. Youngs teaches trumpet lessons at the high school, along with Courtney Wyatt ’14. Wyatt, who serves as associate director of bands at Clover High School, was part of the Winthrop Trumpet Ensemble as well while a student.
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