The preliminary judging jury of the Ellsworth Smith International Trumpet Solo Competition convened in Tallahassee, Florida on Sunday, July 25, 2004. The members of the jury were: Lyman Brodie, Associate Dean of Fine Arts at the University of Central Florida and Principal Trumpet of the Orlando Symphony and of the Dallas Wind Symphony; Dr. Jay Coble, Professor of Trumpet at the University of South Florida; and Dr. Moffatt Williams, Professor of Trumpet at Columbus State University. Bryan Goff of The Florida State University served as non-voting chair of the jury. Twenty-three entries, representing contestants from nine countries, were received. The jury advanced five performers to the semi-final rounds.

The five semifinalists who will compete for the $15,000 in prizes to be awarded at the conclusion of the Ellsworth Smith Competition that will take place at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) from November 3 to 6, 2004 are:

• Luis Araya - Alajuela, Costa Rica
• Fruzsina Hara - Budapest, Hungary
• Jonathn Michalak - Calgary, Canada
• Brian Shaw - Rochester, New York, USA 
• Benjamin Wright - from Natick, Massachusetts, USA

Competition organizer Leonard Candelaria, artist-in-residence and associate professor of trumpet at UAB says "We are pleased to host this international event for trumpeters from around the world, which also will feature some of the best brass performers in Birmingham and the region as well as the esteemed Alabama Symphony Orchestra; it is an important event for music in Birmingham and we're proud to bring the event to our city."

The competition will take place at the Alys Stephens Center's Jemison Concert Hall on the UAB campus, 1200 10th Ave. S. In addition to recitals by the distinguished jurors (Vincent Cichowicz, Philip Smith and James Watson) and competition performances by the semi-finalists, the event will include a performance by the Brass Band of Huntsville, all of which the public is invited to attend free of charge.

On the final evening, Nov. 6, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jeff W. Reynolds, chairman of the UAB Department of Music, will accompany finalists in the final round of the competition. Admission for the concert is $10. Call 205-975-2787.

For the full schedule and more details of the jury, recitals, competition organizer and venue, please see the Ellsworth Smith Competition page in the Competitions area of this website.

Website:
Ellsworth Smith Competition - ITG web page