Trumpet Player at Shawnee Mission South Recognized Internationally

Christopher Petrella, a trumpet player in the Shawnee Mission South marching band and orchestra, was selected as one of only 10 finalists for the Ictus International Trumpet Competition. Watch a video about his trumpet playing here.

Petrella has been playing the trumpet since he was in fifth grade. He selected the trumpet because he liked the sound and in order to set himself apart from his father who plays percussion for the Kansas City Symphony.

“Chris is a unique talent, when he picks up his horn, magic happens,” noted Steve Adams, SMS band director. “His work ethic and dedication are beyond exceptional.”

Petrella practices three to four hours every school day and seven to eight hours on the weekends. He doesn’t consider it practice because he enjoys playing the trumpet.

He plans to pursue a career in music and hopes to play in a symphony orchestra.

Christopher has been actively involved in his high school Jazz Band, Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Orchestra and Brass Band, and has also performed as a member of the Youth Symphony of Kansas City and Fountain City Youth Brass Academy Honor Band. As a freshman, he was the first SM South student ever to make the Kansas All-State band. Since then, he was selected as a semi-finalist for the National Trumpet Competition (eventually cancelled because of COVID) and then earned the position of First Trumpet in the National Honor Band sponsored by the National Federation of Music Educators. Petrella is the first South band member to be invited into that prestigious ensemble.