ASU School of Music grad wins top trumpet position with Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

Micah Wilkinson, former Arizona State University School of Music student, won the position of principal trumpet of the internationally acclaimed Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for 2017. Wilkinson was a graduate student in trumpet performance at the School of Music in ASU’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts from 2007–08 and studied under Regents’ Professor David Hickman.

“I learned an incredible amount from Professor David Hickman during my time at ASU,” Wilkinson said. “One of the most valuable things I learned was how to play to distinguish myself as a musician — to really play, or sing, every note with musical intent. This has been proven true to me repeatedly throughout my orchestral career.”

Wilkinson’s varied career includes orchestral musician, soloist, chamber artist and teacher. He is currently the principal trumpet of the San Diego Symphony, a title he has held since the fall of 2014. Wilkinson previously held positions with the Houston Symphony, acting second trumpet from 2013–14; the San Francisco Symphony, acting second trumpet from 2011–12; the Oregon Symphony, third/utility trumpet from 2008–13; and the Tucson Symphony, third trumpet from 2007-08. 

 “I first met Micah when he was a senior at St. Olaf College,” Hickman said. “Their orchestra toured Arizona and Micah was the featured soloist at a concert I heard at the Chandler Pavilion. I was knocked out by his performance, so I met with Micah after the concert. He played an audition for me, and I knew then that he was going to be a star.”

Wilkinson graduated from St. Olaf College in 2006 and pursued additional studies at the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik in Freiburg, Germany in spring 2005 and Arizona State University from 2007–08. He is a 2017 teaching artist at the International Round Top Festival Institute in Round Top, Texas, and has participated as a teaching artist at numerous national and international music festivals. He holds the designation of Yamaha Artist and previously served on the faculties of the University of Houston and Portland State University.