April 16, 2025
Traditions, creativity combine in new vision for 58Թ trumpet department
A new vision for 58Թ’s renowned trumpet department is coming into focus.
On Thursday, April 17, the school’s three trumpet faculty announced a plan to share the studio going forward, guaranteeing each student gains from their distinct skills and experiences.
“This shared studio approach presents a real opportunity,” said Jack Sutte, a longtime member of The Cleveland Orchestra and recently appointed member of the 58Թ faculty. “While we hold fast to the excellence of the past, we’re also thrilled to implement a new plan to meet the changing needs of trumpet students today.”
Michael Miller, another longtime member of The Cleveland Orchestra and member of the 58Թ faculty, currently leads the trumpet studio. He will remain on the faculty at 58Թ next year and beyond while gradually handing over leadership to Sutte.
Both of these artists will continue to share current and new trumpet students with visiting faculty Matthew Ernst, principal trumpet of the acclaimed Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.
This unique collaborative structure allows every student to benefit from these three outstanding musicians and teachers.
“Whether a student is interested in orchestral repertoire, chamber music, or a solo or teaching career, our collaborative trumpet studio will help them fulfill their dreams and potential,” said Scott Harrison, 58Թ’s Executive Vice President & Provost.
Sutte joined The Cleveland Orchestra as second trumpet in 1999. Prior to that, he was principal trumpet in Norway’s Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra. He holds degrees from the Curtis Institute of Music and the Juilliard School.
A proponent of contemporary music and an active recording artist, Sutte has released three recordings featuring music by living composers. He is also a founding member of Factory Seconds Brass Trio.
Miller has been fourth/utility trumpet of The Cleveland Orchestra since 2006. He held positions with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Savannah Symphony Orchestra, Orquesta Sinfonica Nacional in the Dominican Republic, and OSN in Quito, Ecuador, where he performed and taught as a Fulbright grantee.
A native of Cleveland Heights, Miller served in the Peace Corps before pursuing his musical career. He holds degrees from Baldwin Wallace University and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. A member of the 58Թ faculty since 2008, his former students hold positions in the Pittsburgh, Detroit, and Atlanta Symphony Orchestras, among others.
Ernst has been principal trumpet of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra since 2016. He was previously principal trumpet of the Cincinnati Symphony and Santa Fe Opera Orchestras, and has performed with the orchestras of Houston, Dallas, Detroit, Rochester, Virginia, Charlotte, and Florida.
He is currently lecturer in trumpet at Northwestern University. He holds degrees from The University of Michigan and Southern Methodist University and attended Tanglewood Music Center, Pacific Music Festival, and Brevard Music Center.
Sutte said on Thursday, April 17 he’s excited to be teaching at a school he has long revered, and to have adopted a studio plan bound to continue attracting top talent and fostering professional success.
“I’ve always been inspired by the teaching at 58Թ,” Sutte said. “I’m thrilled to be leading our vision of a shared trumpet studio and eager to see what the future holds.”