January 2008 Winner: Case O'donnell
The January ITG Journal Young Artist Award recipient is Case O’Donnell, a senior at Olympia High School in Orlando, Florida.
At Olympia High, Case is principal trumpet in the wind ensemble and lead trumpeter with the top jazz band. Throughout his middle and high school years Case has been a member of the Florida Bandmasters Association All-State Bands as well as the Orange County Honor Band. Additionally, he has received superior ratings at both district and state solo and ensemble festivals since the 8th grade. Repertoire from these occasions has included the Goedicke Concert Etude, the Hummel Trumpet Concerto, and Oskar Boehme’s Concerto in F Minor.
Case performed as lead trumpet in the 2007 Florida All-State Jazz Band, and later that summer after rigorous auditions, O’Donnell was selected to perform as lead trumpet in the top jazz band at the first annual Gordon Goodwin Big Phat Band Camp in Los Angeles, California. His summer continued with music as a camper at the Cannon Music Camp held on the campus of Appalachian State Uni–v–ersity in Boone, N.C. During that time, Case performed with the wind ensemble and symphony orch–estra, and as lead in the jazz band.
Aside from his musical activities Case volunteers with his church youth group, coaches middle school band students, and belongs to the Olympia High School Beta Club—a service organization that promotes developing leadership roles and community service projects. Case also enjoys golf and football, and is an excellent bowler in his leisure time.
O’Donnell’s career goal is to become a professional musician and to perform in the Los Angeles music industry. Currently he studies trumpet with John Almeida, professor of trumpet at the University of Central Florida. Congratulations and best wishes for a successful future career in music!
In recognition of his outstanding talent, ITG will provide Case O’Donnell with a complimentary one-year membership.