ISU Trumpet Studio Shines at International Trumpet Guild Conference

The ISU Trumpet Ensemble's debut performance at the International Trumpet Guild Conference
Eddie Ludema, DM
July 1, 2025
Students from Idaho State University’s Department of Music trumpet studio recently returned from an inspiring week at the annual International Trumpet Guild (ITG) Conference, held this year at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.
This marked the first time the ISU trumpet studio has attended the prestigious event, and the first time it was selected to perform for an international audience.
Music majors Enid McMahon (Music Performance), Caleb Cecil (Commercial Music), Cordel Howell (Music Education), and Emily Pereira (Music Education), along with their professor Dr. Eddie Ludema (Associate Professor of Music), participated in a packed schedule of world-class concerts, recitals, clinics, presentations, and hands-on time with new trumpet gear. The students connected with peers and professionals from across the country and worked one-on-one with leading figures in the trumpet world.
Eddie's undergraduate (and life-long) mentor, Nick Norton (former Utah Symphony Principal Trumpet), with Caleb, Enid, and Eddie.
A few highlights from the conference include:
- Enid McMahon’s performance with the Intercollegiate Trumpet Ensemble, as well as her participation in a masterclass with Tom Hooten, principal trumpet of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, focusing on major orchestral excerpts.
- The ISU Trumpet Ensemble's international performance debut, featuring McMahon, Cecil, Howell, Pereira, Dr. Ludema, and Southeast Idaho local Dr. Logan Anderson (Executive Director of the Idaho State-Civic Symphony). The group performed two of Dr. Ludema’s original works—Fanfare H(A)L and Fanfare AC (Editions BIM)—written in honor of his grandfathers: one a Dutch Resistance member and labor camp survivor, the other a U.S. Army Medical Branch veteran of WWII.
- Dr. Ludema’s premiere performance of Air Traffic, a piece for trumpet and live interactive electronics by composer John Gibson. The piece was selected through a competitive audition process to be featured on the conference’s New Works Recital, a prestigious showcase of innovative compositions. Gibson operated the electronics live as part of this collaborative, boundary-pushing presentation for the international trumpet community.
Reflecting on the experience, Enid McMahon shared:
"Attending the International Trumpet Guild conference has been a turning point in my musical career. From watching high-quality musicians from around the world, to performing with ensembles and connecting with others in my field—I can definitely say I’ll be coming back to future conferences!"
The conference left a lasting impression on the ISU students, who returned home inspired, energized, and more connected than ever to the broader musical world.