Trumpet Studio to perform at TrumpetFest 2026
11/03/2025
By Brett Buckner
Jacksonville State University's (Jax State) Trumpet Studio has been invited to perform at the prestigious TrumpetFest at Orvieto Musica in Orvieto, Italy, this June. Orvieto Musica is a summer-long Italian music festival and educational experience, and TrumpetFest is a week-long intensive program. The 14-day trip, which will include an opportunity for students to explore the ancient cities of Rome and Pompeii, will cost approximately $3,000. That cost includes the $1,500 festival fee and travel arrangements. Each student is responsible for paying their way.
"The Trumpet Studio has a long-standing tradition of excellence, having attended conferences and competitions throughout the Southeast and on the national level for many years," said Dr. Christopher D. Probst, professor of Trumpet in the David L. Walters Department of Music. In 2024, Dr. Probst was asked to perform, teach, and attend the TrumpetFest. He had nine students attend and perform during that year’s festival.
"Due to the extraordinary performances and collegiality of our students, we were given an open invitation to attend in the future," he said. "The summer of 2026 presented itself as a fantastic opportunity to attend again, and we have 15 interested students this time." To perform at TrumpetFest promises to be a great opportunity.
"If you were to ask any of the students who attended this festival in 2024, they will tell you it was a transformative experience in their lives," Dr Probst said. "Not only musically, but in learning about another culture, living in a foreign country, and making music with other musicians from universities across the US and internationally."
One of the highlights of the day is "Reposo," which, according to Dr. Probst, is very similar to the siesta. "In the midst of rehearsals and performances," he said, "the whole town shuts down for two hours in the afternoon to encourage everyone to stop, rest, relax, and simply enjoy being in such a beautiful place."
The Jax State Trumpet Studio is one of the largest trumpet studios in the country, and unlike many other schools, it's comprised entirely of undergraduates. The studio is comprised mostly of music majors, with a few students who choose to take applied lessons in conjunction with their major elsewhere on campus.