About The Competition

Sponsored by the International Trumpet Guild in cooperation with the Herb Alpert Foundation.

First held in 1993, The Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Competition is considered the most prestigious competition for jazz trumpeters in the world. Carmine Caruso was one of the world’s greatest brass teachers. It is to the man and his work that the 2013 Carmine Caruso International Jazz Trumpet Solo Competition is dedicated.

Caruso was born on November 2, 1904, lived his entire life in New York, and died on May 26, 1987. Although he played all the woodwind and string instruments, Caruso made his living as a saxophone player, performing in ballrooms and on radio shows. He played his last his last club date on his 70th birthday in 1974. Caruso took his first trumpet student in 1942, and within a year had forty brass students. Brass players from all over the world traveled to New York to study with him, and he developed a reputation for being able to help players improve.

Event Dates & Locations

All events are open to the public and will be held at the Sam Houston State University School of Music on September 18 and 19, 2015. A morning clinic will be presented on the Carmine Caruso Teaching Method on Saturday, September 19. The final round will be held that afternoon, and an evening gala concert will feature the winners of the Competition along with performances by each of the distinguished judges. Programming subject to change.

Major prizes* will be awarded in the following amounts:

  • First Prize: Ten thousand dollars ($10,000 USD)
  • Second Prize: Five thousand dollars ($5,000 USD)

*The winnings of US and non-US citizens are subject to applicable US and Texas income tax laws and withholding requirements.

Deadline and Fees

Application and submission for materials for the 2015 Competition will be completely online! See Guidelines for details. Registration will be open in February.

  • Online application will open on March 1, 2015.
  • Deadline for online submissions is June 1, 2015.

A $100 competition fee is required.

Contact Information

Amanda Pepping
ITG 2015 Caruso Competition

Sam Houston State University
PO Box 2208
Huntsville, TX 77340-2208
ajp028@shsu.edu