A native of the Midwest, Dr. Michael Arndt joined the MTSU School of Music as the trumpet professor in 2002. In addition to maintaining a private studio of more than twenty music majors and minors. Arndt coaches and directs the MTSU Symphonic Brass Ensemble, the award winning MTSU Trumpet Ensemble, and numerous other brass chamber ensembles. He has also guest conducted both the MTSU Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band.
Under his direction, the MTSU Trumpet Ensemble is very active and has opened for the Nashville Symphony Orchestra’s Day of Music, competed in the National Trumpet Competition in Washington, DC, and performed at the International Trumpet Guild Conference.
Arndt has additionally presented and performed at conferences in the US and in Bangkok, Thailand. His performing schedule at the university is very busy as he performs solo recitals and regularly with the Stones River Chamber Players. The MTSU Faculty Brass Quintet features Arndt along with colleagues David Loucky, Jeff Bailey, Angela DeBoer, and Gilbert Long. They have presented many concerts in Middle Tennessee featuring some of the most exciting and difficult music for brass quintet.
Since moving to Middle Tennessee, Arndt has been increasingly active in Nashville’s dynamic music community. He is a regular addition to the Nashville Symphony Orchestra trumpet section and plays Principal Trumpet with the Bowling Green Chamber Orchestra. He has also recently played Principal Trumpet with the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra in performances of Strauss’s Ein Heldenleben and Berlioz’s Symphony Fantastique. He has performed with Orchestra Nashville, the Nashville Opera Orchestra, Chattanooga Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony, and many others. Additionally, he is active in Nashville recording studios and has performed with many of Nashville’s best known performers for Fourth of July Celebrations, benefit concerts, and even at Tennessee’s Bonnaroo Music Festival.
Arndt earned degrees in Trumpet Performance from some of the most reputable programs throughout the United States. He received his Bachelor of Music from the University of Missouri – Kansas City Conservatory of Music, Master of Music from the University of Minnesota and Doctorate of Music Arts from Arizona State University. He was also awarded a Performance Certificate from DePaul University. His teachers include Dave Hickman, Philip Clark, Keith Benjamin, Gary Schutza, Gary Bordner, David Baldwin, and John Hagstrom.
