Northwest Missouri State University’s Department of Fine and Performing Arts will host professional trumpet player Billy Hunter Oct. 20-22.

“Billy Hunter is a world-class orchestral trumpet player at the top of his game,” Dr. William Richardson, Northwest’s Dennis C. Dau Professor of Instrumental Music. “As principal trumpet at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, he offers a valuable perspective of life as a professional musician. In addition, his perspective as an African-American orchestra musician is valuable for Northwest students and community members. Finally, Billy is a terrific teacher with an engaging personality. I am confident that audiences will enjoy his performance with our outstanding staff accompanist, Dr. Jiwon Choi.” 

Hunter will lead a trumpet master class at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 20, in the Charles Johnson Theater at the Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building and present a trumpet recital at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21, in the Charles Johnson Theater.

On Tuesday, Oct. 22, he will be available for a meet-and-greet at 8 a.m. in Room 116 of the Fine Arts Building and present “Life at the Met: A Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Discussion” at 7 p.m. in Room 108 of the Fine Arts Building.

All events are free and open to the public.

Hunter, a former member of the Grammy-nominated Grant Park Orchestra, was born in Austin, Texas. Hunter has performed with professional symphonies and orchestras all over the globe.

He has been principal trumpet of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra since 2004. He also performs in various chamber, solo and orchestral performances throughout the country, in addition to contributing to community outreach events.

Hunter has appeared as guest principal trumpet with The Philadelphia Orchestra; the Malaysian Philharmonic in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; the Frankfurt Radio Symphony in Germany; the Spoleto Festival Orchestra in Italy; the Charleston Symphony Orchestra in South Carolina; and the Chineke! Orchestra in London, England.

Support for Hunter’s visit to Northwest comes from the College of Arts and Sciences, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the Dennis C. Dau Endowed Professorship and the Missouri Arts Council.