The University of Nevada, Reno’s College of Liberal Arts’ School of Music’s High Sierra Trumpet Quintet has earned international recognition this season, advancing to the live rounds of the National Trumpet Competition and being selected as a semifinalist in the Ryan Anthony Memorial Chamber Music Competition presented by the International Trumpet Guild (ITG).

Both invitations represent significant honors for the ensemble, with the International Trumpet Guild competition standing out as especially selective. Nearly 200 applications were submitted across four divisions and only 15 ensembles were chosen for the chamber music semifinals.

The quintet will next perform at the International Trumpet Guild Conference, celebrating its 50th anniversary, May 26-30 at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where the ensemble will compete in an international field of leading collegiate brass chamber groups while representing the University on a global stage.

The ensemble consists of Cortez Montalbo, Dennis Doiron, Ryan Thiele, Roberto Canela and Owen O’Donnell and is directed by Professor Jonathan Bhatia. Their selection reflects the continued success of student musicians in the School of Music and the collaborative work taking place across the program.

“We are very excited for the accomplishments of our trumpet students, and that they will represent the University with excellence at this international event,” said Reed Chamberlin, director of the School of Music.

“I was fortunate enough to participate in the ITG Conference last year as a regular attendee, and I was blown away by the level of performance and by the informational sessions hosted by leading professionals,” said Montalbo, a Dean Merit Fellowship recipient. “This year I am returning as a competitor, and I am excited to represent the University of Nevada on the international stage alongside my colleagues.”

“This is one of the most challenging pieces I have ever worked on, and I’m lucky to have gone through the process with such skilled colleagues and friends,” said O’Donnell, a bachelor of music education student.

This latest recognition reflects the continued momentum of the University of Nevada, Reno School of Music in the College of Liberal Arts and the increasing national and international visibility of its student performers. In recent years, School of Music students have received invitations and recognition through the National Trumpet Competition, the Music Teachers National Association Young Artist Solo Competition and past International Trumpet Guild Conferences, alongside performances and presentations at major national and international conferences and competitions across multiple areas of study.