January 2013 Winner: Patty Luecken

Congratulations to our January 2013 Young Artist Award recipient, Patty Luecken, a senior from East Meadow, New York. Patty began her musical studies on trumpet and piano while a student at Meadowbrook Elementary School in East Meadow. Excelling at both, Patty performed at the New York State solo festival each year throughout elementary and middle school, often receiving perfect scores.

For the past seven years as a student at W.T. Clarke Middle and High School, Patty has studied trumpet with Kevin Scully and Steven Barbieri. In addition, Patty has discovered a love for singing through her studies with Robin Hall, also at W.T. Clarke. In school, Patty has performed with the jazz ensemble, pit orchestra, concert band, wind ensemble, symphony orchestra, as accompanist and vocalist with the Senior Chorale, and as vocalist with the vocal jazz ensemble. She is also active in her school’s Tri-M chapter.

Through exemplary performances on difficult repertoire (Honegger’s Intrada and Clarke’s Shores of the Mighty Pacific), Patty was selected to the 2012 New York All-State Symphony Orchestra and the 2011 New York All-State Symphonic Band, where she served as principal trumpet. From 2010 to 2012, Patty participated in the New York State Summer School for the Arts’ School of Orchestral Studies, where she studied with Robert Earley (second trumpet, Philadelphia Orchestra). Patty presently serves as principal trumpet with the Long Island Youth Orchestra and the Nassau Suffolk Wind Symphony, positions she has held since 2010.

Patty’s primary private instruction for the past seven years has been with Michael Blutman, a successful New York City freelance trumpeter, and March 2002 recipient of the ITG Youth Award. Patty would like to thank her parents, Deborah and Bill, and her sister Katy for their love and support. She is currently a senior in high school and member of the National Honor Society. She intends to pursue a career in music performance and education. As the January 2013 Young Artist Award recipient, Patty will receive a one-year complimentary membership to ITG.

 

October 2012 Winner: Chloe Swindler

It is with great enthusiasm that ITG introduces Chloe Swindler as the October 2012 Young Artist Award Recipient. Chloe is enjoying a fast-paced senior year at Cienega High School in Vail, Arizona, where she excels both academically and musically. Betsy Bright, Chloe’s teacher (and second trumpet with the Tucson Symphony), nominated her. Betsy heralds Chloe as a student with great natural ability, an impeccable work ethic, and outstanding character. Chloe is currently principal trumpet in the Tucson Philharmonia Youth Orchestra and on two occasions was a finalist for the Young Artist Competition, earning special citations. As a 2012 TPYO Concerto Competition winner she will be performing the Arutiunian Concerto with the orchestra in November 2012.

As an eighth grader, Chloe competed in the Junior solo division of the 2009 National Trumpet Competition. She has earned first chair in the Arizona All-State Band and in her Regional Band all through high school. Her senior Regional audition was celebrated with a perfect score of 1000 points, the first perfect score in ten years. In addition to her busy schedule with the Tucson Philharmonia Youth Orchestra, Chloe has participated in the Tucson Jazz Institute and she regularly performs as a soloist at Desert Dove Chapel. She has performed in four of Betsy Bright’s studio recitals, engaging audiences with interpretations of works such as the Fantasie Brilliante by Arban and the first movements of concertos by Neruda and Hummel.

Chloe has furthered her studies with lessons with Ben Wright (Boston Symphony), Micah Wilkinson (SF Symphony and Oregon Symphony), and David Cohen (principal trumpet in Tucson). The highlight of her musical experience this past summer was attending the Butler/Geyer trumpet workshop held at Northwestern University.

Chloe enjoys singing, songwriting, and playing trumpet and guitar for friends and family. Outside of music, she keeps up with her heavy workload of classes, maintaining a near perfect GPA (she enjoys math and history the most). On weekends, when she’s not involved with marching band or the Tucson Philharmonia Youth Orchestra, Chloe enjoys playing in the Tucson Pops. In addition, she enjoys volunteering at her local church, Saint Rita’s in the Desert, to watch over the kids four and younger while their parents are at Mass.

Chloe would like to thank her parents, Tamara and Stephen Swindler, for their support of her musical endeavors. In addition, she would like to thank her band, orchestra, and lesson teachers, James Matsushino, Suzette Battan, and Betsy Bright Morgan, for always insisting that she put forth her best efforts. In future years, Chloe plans to attend either Boston University or Northwestern University, with the hopes of becoming a professional principal trumpet player. As the October 2012 Young Artist Award recipient, Chloe will receive a one-year complimentary membership to ITG.

March 2012 Winner: Anne Linebarger

Congratulations to our March 2012 Young Artist Award recipient, Anne Linebarger from Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Anne is a sophomore trumpet student at Tahlequah High School under the direction of her band directors Josh Allen and Justin Frazier; she serves her high school as principal trumpet of the wind ensemble, jazz ensemble, and marching band. As a sophomore this year, Anne works with the sixth-grade music students at Tahlequah Middle School during the school day, teaching daily music fundamentals classes and working individually with thirty beginning trumpet students.

 

 


While only fifteen years old, Anne already enjoys many successes on the trumpet. She is co-principal trumpet of the Tulsa Youth Symphony Orchestra and has played with the Northeastern State University Trumpet Ensemble. In the summers, she has been principal trumpet of the honors band at the University of Arkansas Summer Band Camp and has also participated in the University of North Texas Jazz Camp. In 2011, she was one of eight trumpet players selected nationwide to compete in the Junior Division of the National Trumpet Competition in Washington, DC.

In addition to her musical activities, Anne is a member of the National Honor Society and takes a full load of advanced academic courses. Next year, she plans on attending the regional center of the Oklahoma School of Mathematics and Sciences to take AP Calculus and Physics courses. She is also a member of the varsity tennis team, where she placed third in the state at #2 doubles her freshmen year.

Anne was nominated by her current trumpet teacher Jason Dovel, assistant professor of trumpet at Northeastern State University. During the past two summers she has participated in masterclasses with Rex Richardson, Amanda Pepping, Peter Wood, Jason Bergman, and Oscar Passley. Her future plans include a career in music performance.

October 2011 Winner: Alex Wilborn

Congratulations to our October 2011 Young Artist Award recipient, Alex Wilborn from Baxter, Tennessee. Alex is a senior at Upperman High School where he performs as section leader and soloist of the Symphonic Band under the baton of Director of Bands Kyle Netherton, who states: “Alex is a highly motivated young man who takes on any challenge with great zeal and a maturity level not commonly found in students his age. His tireless work ethic and dedication to music have already opened the door to potential future success in our art.” Alex has appeared as a soloist with his high school band performing memorized renditions of Méndez’s La Virgen de la Macarena and Philip Starke’s Manhattan.

 

In 2008, Alex was first chair trumpet in the Tennessee All-State Band and in 2009 performed as lead trumpet for the All-State Jazz Ensemble. Since his freshman year Alex has been consistently selected as principal trumpet in numerous regional and university music festivals and honor bands. During the 2010 school year, Alex performed at the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts festival as a recital soloist and lead trumpet for the symphonic and jazz ensembles. 2011 was a rewarding musical year as well for Alex, with a first place win in the University of Kentucky solo competition and a scholarship to attend the Sewanee Music Festival. Alex has performed in masterclasses with Anthony Plog, Phil Collins, Michael Ellzey, and the Brass Quintet of the United States Army Band in Washington, DC.

In addition to his trumpet activities, Alex plays in the high school percussion ensemble and is learning secondary wind instruments under the supervision of his band director. During the rest of his busy day as a high school senior, Alex can be found in numerous honors classes and is a member of the chemistry club.

Alex studies privately with Charles Decker, Tennessee Tech University professor of trumpet and TTU’s Director of Jazz Studies Chris McCormick. He plans to hit the audition trail this year pursuing a major in music education. As our October 2011 Young Artist Award winner, Alex Wilborn will receive a one-year complimentary membership in ITG.

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