Graduate Spotlight: Vincent Reed’s ‘Voyage of Gold’ triumphs in trumpet competition
Keely Hagan | 615-966-6491 |
In the world of trumpet performance, selection into the International Trumpet Guild (ITG) competition is akin to scaling a musical Mount Everest. For Vincent Reed, who will receive a Bachelor of Arts in commercial music at the May 4 commencement ceremony, his selection marks not just a milestone but an extraordinary feat.
Reed is the youngest of those on the competition roster, dominated by doctoral candidates and professionals. Out of 90 submissions from around the world, Reed’s composition was one of only 11 selected for performance—an accolade that speaks volumes about his talent and artistry.
“It is an honor to be selected by ITG to perform my original work,” Reed says. “I am so thankful to everyone who has helped guide me.”
His winning piece, “Voyage of Gold,” was inspired by a challenge from his professors, Benjamen Blasko, assistant professor and director of instrumental studies in the School of Music, and Preston Bailey, adjunct faculty and Reed’s trumpet instructor. Their aim was to create a debut piece for the growing Lipscomb Trumpet Ensemble, which was moving from last year’s duo of Reed and Ellie Lundy to a quartet with the inclusion of incoming freshmen Kate Marcino and Bentley Lankford.
Along the way, Reed recognized that his composition qualified for the prestigious ITG competition. “At that time, I wasn't even thinking of ITG,” he admits. “But when the opportunity presented itself, it was a no-brainer.”
Reed was beyond excited when he received the news that “Voyage of Gold” had been chosen to appear on the New Works Recital at the 2024 ITG Conference in Anaheim, California on May 29.
“I was walking into the music building, and I get a call from Bentley who tells me, ‘Hey, you should probably check your e-mail.’ They had sent the results out to everybody, including the performers who are going to be playing the winning pieces. We were together in the lobby of McMeen freaking out, we were so excited.”
Recognizing the huge stakes of the competition, they began focusing on the quartet piece for the rest of the year. Despite the multiple demands of classes and auditions, they put in the time and have prepared well. “It was a lot to ask of them,” Reed acknowledges, “but they've been great sports and are super excited.”
About a month before the competition, the quartet recorded the piece at the Sound Emporium, the Lipscomb-owned professional recording studio with a star-studded history. “Everybody was super comfortable,” Reed says. “They knew their parts really well. It’s going to be great; it just feels good.”
Reed will finish mixing and mastering the recording for streaming on Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube in early fall. “Voyage of Gold,” is the first piece of what was originally going to be a full concerto for four trumpets in three separate movements. The whole concerto is called “Salt of the Sea” because it's all very pirate-esque, adventure type of music, said Reed.
Beyond the competition, Reed says he is excited about attending the ITG convention for the opportunity of networking with emerging talents and the inspiration and camaraderie the five-day event offers.
“The best part is the opportunity to be among greatness – all of these incredible trumpet players,” said Reed. “We will be able to talk to them and hear their stories and experiences because the whole convention has lots of panels with professional players. I know Alan Vizzutti is going to be there, and he’s actually one of the best players in the entire world.”
Beyond the accolades, Reed remains grounded in gratitude. “I'm thankful to every single person who has put in so much time and effort,” and extends his appreciation to family, mentors and collaborators.
Following graduation and the ITG competition, Reed will set sail for new musical horizons. His plans include working with some of his graduating peers on their music production company Sonic Squid Studios. Their projects span film, video games and advertisements. Together they have won the College of Entertainment & the Arts Imagine House pitch competition and the CEA 5 Minute Film Festival Dean's Choice award.
“I plan to keep expanding that business and I'm always going to be doing freelance work,” he said.