Music Students Win Conference Scholarships

Sophie Jaquez and Bradly Matthews

Bradly Matthews and Sophie Jaquez have won International Trumpet Guild Conference Scholarships in the annual Ryan Anthony Memorial Trumpet Competition.

This was an international competition where each submitted recordings of “Caprice” by Joseph Turrin (with piano collaboration) and “Etude 8 Du Mécanisme” by Reginaldo Caffarelli. Winners receive a cash award and free registration to this year’s International Trumpet Guild Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, May 30 to June 3.

Rich Rulli, associate professor of trumpet in the Department of Music, was enthusiastic over his students’ accomplishments.

“Sophie Jaquez and Bradly Matthews are leaders in the U of A Trumpet Studio,” Rulli said. “This accomplishment is reflective of years of hard work for each of them. This will be the first opportunity for each to attend an International Trumpet Guild Conference. They will have the opportunity to hear wonderful performances, master classes, and meet many musicians with both diverse perspectives and similar career goals. I know from experience that this will open both their eyes and ears to the possibilities out there in the trumpet and music world. I am extremely proud of them and look forward to what they bring back to the studio next fall. Bravo Sophie and Bradly!”

Jaquez is from Pineville, Missouri, and a graduate of McDonald County High School at Anderson, Missouri. She is a double major in music education and trumpet performance, as well as a sister of Sigma Alpha Iota, the Women’s Music Fraternity. In her three years at the U of A, she has performed with the University Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Inspirational Choral, Latin Ensemble, Jazz Orchestra, Undergraduate Brass Quintet and the Razorback Marching Band. Her future career goals include furthering her education to become a college professor with her own trumpet studio and using her platform to share music with the community.

Mathews is from West Fork, Arkansas, and a junior music education major. He has participated in Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, U of A Jazz Orchestra, brass quintets, the Hogwild Band and the Razorback Marching Band. His career aspirations are to hopefully become a performer/soloist after he receives his master’s degree in trumpet performance, and one day have his own trumpet studio.

This story also appeared in the University of Arkansas News publication.