January 2016 Winner: Coleman Scott
Coleman Scott is a 2015 graduate of Franklin County High School in Frankfort, Kentucky, where he played principal trumpet in the symphonic band, solo and lead trumpet in the jazz ensemble, and principal trumpet in the pit orchestra. He was section leader in the marching band and president of the band council and accompanied his school's choirs as well. He was awarded the Outstanding Sophomore Award for outstanding musicianship and dedication, the Quincy Jones Award for contribution and creativity in multiple musical areas, and the Woody Herman and Louis Armstrong awards for excellence in jazz. Before coming to FCHS, Coleman studied trumpet independently, as his middle school did not have a music program. His freshman year at Franklin County was his first year playing in a musical ensemble. He founded and directed the FCHS Trumpet Choir and served as a student teacher for the sixth-grade brass class at Elkhorn Middle School during his senior year.
Coleman is the founder, director, and principal trumpet of the Frankfort Brass Quintet. This group performs for community events in churches and nursing homes and at weddings and other community festivals (including the 2014 and 2015 Great American Brass Band Festival), and they were recognized by Governor Steve Beshear for their ongoing community service. Frankfort Brass is a three-time winner of the University of Kentucky Brassfest High School Brass Quintet Competition. Coleman is also the founder of the Frankfort Jazztet, a group that performs for similar engagements.
Also in his community, Coleman has performed in the Capital City Community Band, a group that has performed at the Midwest Band Clinic in Chicago. Coleman is a recognized community soloist in many venues and has accompanied the Capital City Chorale. He also performed in the Central Kentucky Youth Jazz Orchestra and the Central Kentucky Youth Symphony Orchestra. He played with the Jazz All-Stars of Central Kentucky for three years as both solo and lead trumpet, where he performed with world-renowned artists Roger Ingram, Jeff Coffin, and Wycliffe Gordon.
In 2014, Coleman attended the prestigious Interlochen Arts Camp, where he studied classical and jazz trumpet; performed in various ensembles; and was named the Ella Fitzgerald Foundation Merit Scholar. He has also twice participated in Jamey Aebersold's Summer Jazz Programs. Coleman now attends the University of Kentucky, where he is pursuing a degree in music education and studies trumpet with Dr. Jason Dovel. He plans to teach trumpet/music at the collegiate level in the future. Coleman would like to thank all of his teachers and mentors who have guided him.
As the January 2016 Young Artist Award recipient, he will receive a one-year complimentary membership to ITG. Congratulations, Coleman!