Trumpet student wins chance to compete in National Trumpet Competition 

Pittsburg State music education major Tyler Fries of Olathe, Kansas, was selected to compete in the live rounds of the National Trumpet Competition at the University of Delaware March 31-April 2 — a competition that will pit him against the best collegiate musicians in the U.S.  

“Needless to say, this is a huge honor for Tyler, the Music Department, and Pittsburg State University as a whole,” said Professor Todd Hastings. 

Fries, who served as drum major for the PSU Pride of the Plains Marching Band last fall, also is part of numerous music ensembles at Pittsburg State: He is the principal trumpet with the PSU Jazz Band, the lead trumpet with the Southeast Kansas Symphony, the principal trumpet with the PSU Wind Ensemble, and a member of Faculty Brass Quintet. 

Listen to what Fries has to say about what it’s like to be a music education student at Pittsburg State, including being able to rehearse in a“$1 million room,” in this Gorilla Connection podcast.