2025 Carmine Caruso Competition Held at University of North Texas

The International Trumpet Guild's 2025 Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition was held at the University of North Texas College of Music in Denton, Texas, on October 24- 25, 2025. The host for the event was Philip Dizack, Associate Professor of Jazz Trumpet at the University of North Texas.

This year’s pool of applicants drew international players from across the globe. The five finalists selected to compete in the live final round in Denton were Stéphane Clément (Miami, Florida), Carter Eng (Seattle, Washington) Austin Ford (Portland, Oregon), Geoff Gallante (Alexandria, Virginia), and Andrew Stephens (Sacramento, California). Each of these finalists rehearsed with the competition rhythm section on Friday, October 24, in preparation for their final round performances on Saturday-their own chosen set of tunes plus a new required selection provided at rehearsal.

Friday evening included a jam session hosted by Philip Dizack at Steve's Wine Bar in Denton, offering finalists and guests an informal educational and networking opportunity. On Saturday morning, a clinic session was held with guest artists Nicholas Payton, Ingrid Jensen, and Terell Stafford, followed by the official Caruso Clinic with Julie Landsman. These sessions were open to the public and livestreamed on the International Trumpet Guild YouTube channel, where they remain for future viewers. The competition final round began that afternoon and the Gala Concert and Awards Ceremony followed in the Paul Voertman Concert Hall, featuring the guest artists and the UNT One O'Clock Lab Band. The first place winner of this year’s competition was Austin Ford and the second place winner was Andrew Stephens. (Source: Jason Dovel)

Photo by: Bart Marantz