James Vaughen (’23) Named Principal Trumpet of the Minnesota Orchestra

Acclaimed Curtis alumnus James Vaughen (’23), who has served as assistant principal trumpet of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) since September 2024, was appointed principal trumpet of the Minnesota Orchestra, succeeding Manny Laureano, who will retire from the top trumpet post at the end of August after 44 years with the orchestra. Mr. Vaughen previously served as assistant principal trumpet of the Chicago Grant Park Festival Orchestra and held a one-year principal position with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. He will make his first Minnesota Orchestra appearance in concerts beginning September 18–19 at the beginning of the orchestra’s 2025–26 season.

While studying at Curtis, Mr. Vaughen trained under faculty member David Bilger. He has performed across Europe with the London Symphony Orchestra, embarked on a four-month tour with the Canadian Brass, and secured both first prize and the audience award at the 2023 Aeolus International Competition for Wind Instruments. Dedicated to expanding the solo trumpet repertoire, he frequently appears in recitals and competitions across the country. In 2021, he won all three divisions of the International Trumpet Guild Ryan Anthony Memorial Competition, claimed first place in the 2020 Roger Voisin Memorial Trumpet Competition, and earned third place in the 2021 Ellsworth-Smith International Trumpet Competition. In 2022, he was honored with the special jury prize at the Maurice André International Trumpet Competition.

Read the announcement at Broadway World.

Visit Mr. Vaughen’s official website.

Banner image of James Vaughen by Curtis Perry and portrait by Cristina Cutts and Cutts Photo.