The Atlanta Trumpet Ensemble was founded in February 2004 by Kay and David Fairchild. The idea took root during a visit to the Western Carolina Trumpet Festival, and soon the group’s founding nucleus gave its inaugural performance in April 2004 as the Atlanta Youth Trumpet Ensemble. In those early days, the ensemble consisted of just a handful of dedicated students, but the shared vision of musical excellence and community quickly propelled it forward.
Over time, the ensemble’s membership expanded to include more than a dozen accomplished trumpeters from around the metro-Atlanta area. Under Kay and David’s steady leadership, ATE has earned invitations to perform at premiere venues and events, including the opening of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Western Carolina Trumpet Festival, and the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference.
A core part of the ensemble’s mission has always been education and mentorship, and this is reflected in the remarkable paths of its alumni. Graduates of the program have gone on to enroll in America’s top music conservatories—such as The Curtis Institute of Music and The Juilliard School—while others have become distinguished music educators, conductors, and professional performers. Some have furthered their academic pursuits beyond music, earning degrees in law, engineering, medicine, science, and other fields at leading universities. This legacy of excellence underscores the ensemble’s dual commitment to artistry and lifelong personal growth.
Beyond high-profile concert appearances, the Atlanta Trumpet Ensemble has also made a name for itself in the local community. The group is a familiar presence at weddings, nonprofit fundraisers, civic gatherings, and more intimate events across metro Atlanta. In doing so, it brings brass brilliance into both grand and everyday settings—uplifting audiences with performances that celebrate the power, beauty, and joy of trumpet music.
🎺 Did You Know?
At the Atlanta Trumpet Ensemble’s very first rehearsal in 2004, the group had so many eager young players crammed into one room that they joked about needing “stadium seating” for trumpets. Since then, the ensemble has grown into a community where laughter is as common as scales and warm-ups—proving that while trumpet playing takes serious skill, the joy of making music together is what keeps ATE thriving year after year.