SUU RED Trumpet Ensemble Advances to NTC Quarterfinals
Published: January 29, 2026 | Author: Kol Gibson | Read Time: 3 minutes
Southern Utah University’s RED Trumpet Ensemble has advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2026 National Trumpet Competition (NTC), marking a significant achievement for SUU’s Department of Music. The live rounds of the competition will be held March 19-22, 2026, at the University of Iowa.
This advancement marks the second time in three years that an SUU trumpet ensemble has reached the live rounds of the National Trumpet Competition, one of the most prestigious and competitive events for trumpet students in the world. Notably, three of the six ensemble members—Kobi Brittenham, Landon Fowles, and Kail Limb—will be returning to the quarterfinals for a second time, underscoring both individual consistency and the sustained strength of SUU’s trumpet studio.
The RED Trumpet Ensemble will compete alongside nationally recognized flagship programs, including the University of North Texas, the University of Texas at Austin, Peabody Conservatory, Indiana University, the University of Colorado Boulder, Florida State University, and other major institutions.
Founded in 1992, the National Trumpet Competition has served more than 2,000 students from over 40 states and six foreign countries. The event offers high-level performance opportunities, masterclasses, exhibition concerts, historic and commercial exhibits, and an educational, supportive environment for emerging professional musicians.
“This achievement shows what we’re building with our trumpet studio at SUU,” said David D. Torres, director of the RED Trumpet Ensemble. “Our students are competing at the highest level alongside major programs nationally, and that’s a credit to their hard work and the supportive culture we’ve created within the trumpet studio and the Music Department.”
Students echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the dedication behind the accomplishment. “I am super proud of this group,” said Noah Smith, a sophomore Music Education major. “We worked so hard and put in long hours to get here. We’ve talked about making this competition since last year, so it’s a dream come true to make it this year.”
Senior Music major Kobi Brittenham added, “I’m so excited to be going back to the National Trumpet Competition. The ensemble this year is definitely one of the hardest-working, goal-driven groups I’ve been a part of.”
Senior Music Education major Kail Limb reflected on the honor of representing SUU on a national stage. “I am so excited for the opportunity to represent the university that I love at a national competition for a second time,” he said. “I believe that this group of students is among the hardest-working students on campus, and it’s incredible to get to work with them every day. There is a relationship unlike any other within this ensemble. We are close friends who are ecstatic to continue to perform together and show the world what SUU is all about.”
The SUU RED Trumpet Ensemble members are seniors Kobi Brittenham (C Trumpet), Landon Fowles (Piccolo), and Kail Limb (C Trumpet), junior Alex Eckley (Bass Trumpet), and sophomores Kyle Ohm (B♭ Trumpet) and Noah Smith (B♭ Trumpet).
This national recognition underscores the continued growth, excellence, and competitive strength of Southern Utah University’s Music program, as well as its commitment to providing transformative opportunities for student musicians. For more information about Music at SUU, visit www.suu.edu/pva/music.
About the College of Performing and Visual Arts
The College of Performing and Visual Arts (CPVA) at Southern Utah University comprises 41 academic programs including liberal arts (BA/BS) and professional (BFA, BM, BMEd) degrees in art, design, dance, filmmaking, music, and theatre. It includes graduate programs in the fields of arts administration (MFA, MA), music education (MME), and music technology (MM). More than 60 full-time faculty and staff are engaged in teaching and mentoring over 900 majors in the College. CPVA presents over 100 performances, lectures, presentations, and exhibitions each year which are complemented by the Southern Utah Museum of Art (SUMA) and Shakespeare Studies at SUU, and is affiliated with the Tony award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival (USF). Southern Utah University is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD), National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD), National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), and the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST) making SUU the first public university in the state of Utah to be accredited by all four associations. For more information about the College of Performing and Visual Arts, visit www.suu.edu/pva.Contact Information
David D. Torres
435-865-8159
davidtorres2@suu.edu