October 2002 Winner: Christopher Konfirst
- Details
- Published: Saturday, 17 December 2016 03:25
- Written by Jon Kratzer
ITG is proud to announce that Christopher Konfirst has been awarded the October 2002 ITG Young Artist Award. Christopher began trumpet studies with Bob Guenzler, retired high school music director, and throughout high school, he studied with Michael Stewart, music director of the Chicago Brass Choir. During high school, Christopher participated in many different competitions and groups such as Illinois All-State Honors Orchestra and Honors Jazz Band. In addition, he served as principal trumpet in the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra and Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra. Besides soloing with the Lockport Wind Symphony, Christopher received many awards, including the Louis Armstrong Award and the Woody Herman Award. He currently attends the Curtis Institute of Music where he studies with David Bilger, principal trumpet of the Philadelphia Orchestra. In recognition of Konfirst's outstanding talents, ITG will provide him with a complimentary one-year membership.
June 2002 Winner: Goni Eshed
- Details
- Published: Saturday, 17 December 2016 03:23
- Written by Jon Kratzer
ITG is proud to announce that Goni Eshed of Tel Aviv, Israel, has been awarded the June 2002 ITG Young Artist Award. Goni has studied with his father, Ilan Eshed since the age of ten.
In April 2001, Eshed became the youngest brass player to win the “Jerusalem Academy Competition for Brass and Woodwinds.” At age eleven, he performed the Concerto in E-flat by Hummel. Recently, he was invited to perform in a master class with Maurice André, during which he performed Concerto No. 1 in E-flat by Hertel. He has also received high praise for his performances in master classes with Håken Hardenberger and Guy Touvron, who commented: “…a lot of energy was given to him, he possesses a splendid sense of musicality and a wonderful sound.”
In recognition of his outstanding talent, ITG will provide Eshed with a complimentary one-year membership.
March 2002 Winner: Michael Blutman
- Details
- Published: Saturday, 17 December 2016 03:21
- Written by Jon Kratzer
ITG is proud to announce that Michael Blutman of East Meadow, New York, has been awarded the March 2002 ITG Young Artist Award. Blutman has served as lead trumpet of the Nassau-Suffolk Jazz Ensemble as well as- principal trumpet of the Long Island Youth Orchestra. He performed the Hummel Concerto with the LIYO in June 2001. Michael played assistant principal trumpet for the past two summers in the NY State Summer School of Orchestral Studies where he was coached by members of the Philadelphia Orchestra. In addition, he has performed with the East Meadow Brass Quintet, which won Grand Prize at the 2001 NY Brass Conference Competition and received special coaching sessions with the American Brass Quintet and Phillip Smith.
Blutman has studied with Leon Petruzzi, Kenneth Sepe, and William Vacchiano. Currently he is a freshman at University of Maryland where he studies with Chris Gekker.
In recognition of his outstanding talents, ITG will provide Blutman with a complimentary one-year membership. Coordinator Del Lyren extends his appreciation to adjudicators Alan Ehnes (Brandon University) and Rich Stoelzel (Interlochen and Grand Valley State University).
January 2002 Winner: Darren Ringer
- Details
- Published: Saturday, 17 December 2016 03:17
- Written by Jon Kratzer
ITG is proud to announce Darren Ringer of Morgantown, West Virginia as the recipient of the January 2002 ITG Young Artist Award. Ringer was nominated by his teacher, Bonnie Miltenberger, also of Morgantown.
As a high school junior, Ringer won the 2001 Music Teachers National Association’s High School Brass competition in Washington, D.C. In 1998, he won the MTNA Junior High Brass Competition. Ringer is a three-time winner of both the West Virginia Music Teachers Association and the MTNA Eastern Division Brass Competitions; and he has twice won the Fairmont State College and Community Orchestra Pre-college Concerto Competition. Ringer is a member of the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra and has appeared as a soloist on “From the Top” on Public Radio International.
In recognition of his outstanding talents, ITG will provide Darren Ringer with a complimentary one-year membership. Coordinator Del Lyren extends his appreciation to adjudicators Al Lilly (Centennial Brass, ITG Calendar Editor), and Gary Wurtz (Stephen F. Austin University).