Rachel Duncan Memorial Scholarship

Trumpeter Rachel Duncan, a native of Plymouth, Minnesota served on the faculty at the McIntire Department of Music at the University of Virginia as Assistant Professor of Trumpet where she also served as the Principal Trumpet of the Charlottesville Symphony.  Born into a musical family of prominent music educators, Rachel began playing trumpet  at age 8. In pursuit of a career in music, Rachel was awarded a full tuition scholarship to study at The Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia where she earned a bachelor’s degree in music under the tutelage of David Bilger. After studying at Curtis, Rachel moved to Chicago to study under Barbara Butler, Charles Geyer and Christopher Martin at Northwestern University where she earned a master’s degree in music. After earning her degree at Northwestern Rachel was awarded a position with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago from 2011-2013.  

Rachel had an extensive orchestral career. In 2012 Rachel performed and toured Scotland as guest principal trumpet with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and recorded two commercially released recordings for the Dutton Epoch Records label. She performed as guest principal trumpet of the Charleston Symphony, the Peoria Symphony and the Dubuque Symphony and performed with the trumpet sections of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Richmond Symphony, Illinois Symphony, Symphony in C, and The New World Symphony. 

Devoted to chamber music as well, Rachel was a founding member of the brass ensemble New Chicago Brass. She also had the privilege of performing alongside Yo-Yo Ma and members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s chamber music concert series.

Rachel served on the faculty at the “National Take a Stand Festival,” Supporting Social Change Through Music, affiliated with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Rachel also performed at numerous prestigious music festivals including The Pacific Music Festival in Japan, The Spoleto Music Festival in Charleston, The Aspen Music Festival and The National Repertory Orchestra. In addition to ensemble playing, she was recognized for her solo performances, receiving first prize at the Schubert Club Scholarship competition and the National Trumpet Competition.