About the Festival
The Midwest Trumpet Festival was founded in 2009 and brings together leading performers, educators, students, and community for an intensive two days of large and small continuing education sessions, master classes, recitals, and concerts.
Directed by Dr. Todd Hastings, professor of Trumpet at Pittsburg State University, it is held in the stunning Bicknell Family Center for the Arts, designed and constructed by world renowned theater architects.
Past festivals have featured Wayne Bergeron, Julian Kaplan, Louis McFadden, the Romm Family Trio, Jens Lindemann, Joe Burgstaller, and many more acclaimed artists.
2026 Festival Details:
Guest Artist: Recital at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, at McCray Hall
Charlie Porter is a Grammy–winning trumpeter, composer, and educator whose dynamic career has spanned more than two decades on the international jazz scene, and he is a prolific classical artist and composer.
He has released six albums as a leader, including Immigration Nation, named one of DownBeat’s Best Albums of the Year. Porter has performed at major festivals around the world and at renowned New York venues such as The Blue Note, Birdland, Dizzy’s Club, Smalls, and The Jazz Gallery.
Drawing on his Lebanese, Greek, Italian, and British heritage, Porter brings a global perspective to his music, blending tradition, innovation, and storytelling through concept-driven projects. He has collaborated with artists including Joe Zawinul, Paquito D’Rivera, Orrin Evans, Kenny Washington, and the Dizzy Gillespie All-Stars.
A recipient of commissions from the Doris Duke Foundation and Chamber Music America, Porter is also Professor of Trumpet at New York University. His upcoming seventh album, Sci-Fi Standards, Vol. 1: The Future We Knew, further showcases his creative vision.
Also appearing:
The Sons of Brasil
Guest clinicians:
Proud Sponsors of the Midwest Trumpet Festival: