Kelly Deklinski, reporter

The 2006 ITG Young Competition I: Junior Division included six young trumpet players from around the United States. Texas, Virginia, Delaware, New York, and New Jersey were all represented in this fine group of performances, which began with a brief introduction by John Irish, chair of the Youth Competition. Irish took a moment to thank this year's judges, Frank Campos (professor of trumpet at Ithaca College), Alan Siebert (professor of trumpet at Cincinnati College - Conservatory of Music), and Robert Earley (professor of trumpet at Rowan University and second trumpet of the Philadelphia Orchestra) before introducing the first performer.

Jayhee Min (Austin, TX; Robert Hutsko, teacher) began this year's competition with Fantasie in E-flat by Barat. Min demonstrated fine intonation, fluid finger dexterity, and accurate rhythm in this performance. He followed with The Maid of the Mist by H. L. Clarke. Min really shined on this piece and had the opportunity to show off his multiple tonguing skills in several sections. Dominic Favia (Vienna, VA; Tim Ryan, teacher) followed with Andante et Allegro by J. G. Ropartz. Favia really had command over the instrument during this piece and was not afraid to explore a variety of dynamics. He finished with the first movement of Hummel's Concerto in E-flat, performed on the E-flat trumpet, complete with a cadenza that Favia transcribed himself from a Maurice André recording. The next performer was Gabrielle Kieffer (Wilmington, DE; Barbara Prugh, teacher) who performed Concert Etude by Goedicke and Andante et Allegro by Ropartz. Kieffer demonstrated maturity in technique in the performance of both works. Most impressive was her double tonguing in the Goedicke, which was especially clear and even throughout.

Kyla Moscovich (Tarrytown, NY; Vincent Penzarella, teacher) was the fourth performer in the competition. She also chose to perform Andante et Allegro by Ropartz. In the opening measures, I could sense the audience holding their breath in awe of Moscovich's warm tone and beautiful vibrato. Moscovich followed this with Three Divertimenti by Boliart. In three short movements, Moscovich was able to showcase many facets of her technical ability with some especially impressive single tonguing in the final movement. Sam Botstein (Princeton, NJ; Carl Albach, teacher) followed with another performance of the Ropartz. Botstein's soft dynamics were exceptional and his allegro was brisk yet controlled. Botstein finished with Handel's Aria con Variazioni requiring a wide range in terms of technique. Especially notable was the finger dexterity and rhythm demonstrated in several of the variations. The final performer was Alexander Rudin (Princeton, NJ; Robert Gravener, teacher). Rudin performed the second movement of the Haydn Concerto for Trumpet in E-flat and the first movement of Sonate by Hindemith. This performance was Rudin's first at any major competition. His display of endurance in two real “chop busters” was especially commendable.

This year's Youth Competition was enjoyable for everyone in attendance. Considering how young these performers are, everyone was truly impressed by their extremely professional manner. John Irish concluded the competition by thanking the judges and congratulating all of the performers.

Judges: Robert Earley, Alan Siebert and Frank Campos