October 2014 Winner: Brent Proseus
Brent Proseus is currently a senior in high school and has distinguished himself as an excellent trumpet player and musician in both classical and jazz genres. He won ITG Conference Scholarships in 2013 and 2014, and he won the third-place prize in the Senior Division of the ITG Youth Competition in 2014.
Brent’s first trumpet teacher was his father, Eric and since the seventh grade Brent has continued his studies with Gregg Good. As an eighth grader, Brent was principal trumpet in the Michigan Junior High All-State Band. In his sophomore year, he was principal trumpet in the Michigan All-state Orchestra and in his junior year, he was lead trumpet in the Michigan All-State Jazz Band. He won a featured soloist award at the Michigan Youth Arts All-State Competition and will solo with that orchestra at the gala concert. Currently, Brent plays in his high school concert and jazz bands with the West Michigan Homeschool Fine Arts. He has also contributed to the Grand Rapids community by playing in the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony since the eighth grade, holding the co-principal or principal position.
In the Michigan State Solo and Ensemble Festival, Brent has achieved the highest ratings and scores throughout his junior high and high school years. As a sophomore, he received a perfect 100% score, playing the first movement of Henri Tomasi’s Trumpet Concerto. As a junior, he performed Jolivet’s Concertino at Michigan State Solo and Ensemble Festival. Besides classical trumpet honors, Brent has also won many awards in jazz, including the Hastings Jazz Festival soloist award and the Western Michigan University Jazz Festival lead trumpet and soloist awards. Brent also placed third in the high school division of the Grand Valley State University International Solo Competition, after his freshman year.
Outside of music, Brent loves academics, is active in his church and enjoys drawing. He plans to pursue trumpet performance as a career. As the June 2014 Young Artist Award recipient, Brent will receive a one-year complimentary membership to ITG. Congratulations, Brent!