June 2024 Winner: Oliver Lampson

This issue’s featured young artist award winner is Oliver Lampson, a 17-year-old trumpet player from Houston, Texas who is going to begin his senior year of high school at Clear Lake High School this coming fall. Oliver currently performs in his high school’s wind symphony, symphony orchestra and jazz band and performs in the Houston Youth Symphony.

Oliver had an early start in music, first learning piano before briefly picking up the trumpet in 3rd grade and then the saxophone. In 5th grade, he became dedicated to the trumpet and began to take off in his studies thanks in large part to the support of his trumpet teacher, Roman Jakubas. Before even beginning high school, he was on a path of success thanks to the support of his middle school teacher Rick Brockway and Clear Falls High School band director Brian Moreno who also introduced Oliver to Mr. Jakubas. In 8th grade, he won the junior division of the Houston Brass Band competition and he began playing solo cornet with the group in 9th grade. Most recently Oliver won the Houston Brass Band’s Bridget Jenson award and performed the solo, Song and Dance by Philip Sparke with the band in fall 2023. Speaking of competitions, Oliver won spots in the Texas Music Educator Association’s All State Symphony Orchestra in 2022 and 2023, he performed in the AFA Texas Symphony Orchestra and Brevard’s Concert Orchestra and Wind Ensemble in summer 2022 and in the National Youth Orchestra (NYO) in the summer of 2023. Additionally, Oliver won 1st place in the National Trumpet Competition High School Division in 2023. A highlight for him in these experiences was getting to play principal trumpet on the NYO’s commissioned piece, Giants of Light by Valerie Coleman. Another favorite opportunity was when Oliver got to perform in side-by-side concerts with the River Oaks Chamber Orchestra as part of the Houston Youth Orchestra in spring 2023 and 2024. He was also a participant at the Chosen Vale Trumpet Seminar and Eastman Trumpet institute in summer of 2023. Additionally, Oliver was nominated by the Virtuoso International Music Awards to attend a gala concert in Salzburg, Austria in fall 2023.

Oliver’s goal is to major in trumpet performance at a university and to one day perform in a symphony orchestra and teach trumpet. He has been inspired by his trumpet teachers, Roman Jakubas and Richard Harris of the Houston Symphony, whom he has been working with since 2021. Oliver is grateful for the opportunity to learn from both teachers, not only about technique and musicianship, but also how to adapt in ensembles and how to teach. Additionally, he is very grateful for Greg Goodman who is the Fine Arts director for his school district for his generous support. Mr. Goodman invited Oliver to perform at his home church and helped him reserve the church space for audition recordings and he also got him the opportunity to perform the national anthem at an Alumni event. Rich Harris, speaking very highly of his pupil and his many successes says: “He has a very clear path ahead of him and as his teacher I feel compelled to give my highest ever recommendation to this outstanding young man.”

Oliver greatly enjoys watching his teachers perform and frequently attends Houston Symphony Orchestra concerts. He loves Giuliano Sommerhalder’s solo recordings and has felt that the beautiful tone quality of Phil Smith and Michael Sachs have greatly influenced him. In addition to playing trumpet, Oliver has begun teaching trumpet privately to some middle school trumpeters and he enjoys playing sports such as spike ball and pick-up basketball and football and going to the beach with his friends. As the June 2024 ITG Young Artist Award winner, he will receive a one-year complimentary membership to ITG. Congratulations Oliver!