Jacksonville, AL – As originally reported by Brett Buckner of JSU’s Media Department, members of the Jacksonville State University (JSU) Trumpet Ensemble recently showcased their talent at the Trumpet Festival of the Southeast (TFSE), the largest regional trumpet festival in the country. Held annually on Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend, the festival attracts universities from across the Southeast, including Virginia, Kentucky, the Carolinas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida.
This year’s festival took place at Valdosta State University, after JSU had the honor of hosting it the previous year. The event is not a competition but a celebration of the trumpet and its players. “It is in place to celebrate the trumpet and trumpet players and allow everyone who attends to perform and learn,” said Dr. Christopher Probst, who leads the trumpet studio at JSU.
The festival featured performances and masterclasses by two internationally acclaimed guest artists: Rex Richardson, who performed on Friday night, and Caleb Hudson, who headlined Saturday night’s concert. Both artists conducted masterclasses on Saturday, providing invaluable insights to festival participants.
The JSU Trumpet Ensemble participated in eight events throughout the weekend, including a Friday night jazz jam session, a Saturday morning warmup, and the ensemble concert on Saturday afternoon. The festival also included performances by more than ten university trumpet ensembles and culminated in a mass trumpet ensemble featuring all participants.
Dr. Probst emphasized the unique opportunities the festival provides. “Our students have the opportunity to perform with professional musicians and university students from other schools at this festival and meet professors at other regional universities,” he said. These connections can open doors for future academic and career opportunities.
Several JSU students have advanced to graduate school after meeting trumpet professors from larger universities at TFSE. The event serves as a platform for collaboration, learning, and professional growth.
JSU’s involvement in the Trumpet Festival of the Southeast continues to showcase the university’s commitment to fostering musical excellence and providing students with opportunities to shine on a regional stage.