February 14, 2026
Experience an inspiring workshop designed for high school and collegiate musicians, hosted by the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music. Highlights include captivating performances by our renowned brass faculty, faculty-led warm-up sessions tailored to each instrument, and a masterclass and recital by our esteemed guest artist, Paul Merkelo, solo trumpet player from the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. The day culminates in a full brass-ensemble rehearsal and performance featuring all Brass Day participants alongside UT Knoxville brass students. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to learn, perform, and connect!
When: Saturday, February 14, 2026
Where: UT Natalie L. Haslam College of Music, 1741 Volunteer Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37916.
Why: Because we will make you better! Hearing our guest artist play, receiving instruction from UT Faculty, and participating in music making at a high level is sure to enhance your playing and knowledge of your instrument. Also, registration is free and lunch is included!
Brass Day at a Glance
- UTK faculty performances
- Fundamentals classes for each instrument
- Masterclass and recital with our guest artist
- Rehearse and perform along side UT music majors
- Breakfast and lunch are provided at no charge
Guest Artist
Paul Merkelo, solo trumpet, Montreal Symphony Orchestra
Paul Merkelo is a JUNO-nominated recording artist with six solo recordings, including
releases on the SONY and NAXOS labels. Merkelo is also featured in a visionary project
entitled Gershwin’s World on MediciTV, which combines groundbreaking jazz and
classical arrangements.
He has been the solo trumpeter with the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal (OSM)
since 1995 and is the first soloist chosen to record a feature album with the orchestra. He
has also served as a guest principal trumpeter with the New York Philharmonic,
Philadelphia Orchestra, and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. He was appointed Canadian
Musical Ambassador to China for the inauguration of Montreal Park in Shanghai and
performed as a soloist with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra in a national telecast.
Merkelo made his New York debut at Lincoln Center with the New World Symphony
Orchestra and Michael Tilson Thomas in 1998. He has collaborated with conductors such
as Leonard Bernstein, Charles Dutoit, Lorin Maazel, Sir Georg Solti, Zubin Mehta, and
Valery Gergiev.
Merkelo’s first solo recording, A Simple Song, was ranked #1 on Quebec’s Classical
Recording chart in 2000. In 2004, he released a highly praised second CD entitled
Baroque Transcriptions, which was nominated by ADISQ for Best Classical Album.
Merkelo’s French Trumpet Concertos with the OSM and Kent Nagano was nominated by
the JUNO Awards for Best Classical Album – Soloist with Large Ensemble in 2016.
Merkelo gave the Canadian premieres of two Grammy-winning works: Wynton Marsalis’
Trumpet Concerto and Gabriela Ortiz’s Altar de Bronce for trumpet and orchestra. He
also premiered Emmy Award-winning film composer Jeff Beal’s Concerto for Two
Trumpets with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.
Merkelo has taught at McGill University, the University of Montreal, the Pacific Music
Festival in Japan, and the Music Academy of the West in California. He is on the board
of directors for the Youth Orchestra of the Americas (Canada) and is the founder of the
Paul Merkelo Scholarship, which provides financial aid and career guidance to young,
gifted brass players.
Paul Merkelo is a Yamaha artist.
Brass Faculty
Alexander Lapins
Associate Professor of Tuba/Euphonium; Area Coordinator of Brass