Jacquelyn Lankford is the Assistant Professor of Trumpet at Mississippi State University and Principal Trumpet of both the Starkville and Monroe Symphony Orchestras. She earned her doctorate in trumpet performance with a related field in music education from the University of North Texas, master’s degree in trumpet performance and literature from the Eastman School of Music, and bachelor’s degree in music education from New Mexico State University.
She is the creator and founder of the Women Composing for Trumpet Competition, which was made possible by her award of the Juliet Hardtner Women in Arts and Humanities Professorship in 2019. The WCFT competition was created to add to the list of "standard" trumpet repertoire composed by women. Though there are many incredible compositions by women for solo trumpet, the only one that is considered "standard" by the trumpet community is the Pakhmutova concerto, written in 1955. It is the goal of this competition to bring light to this matter, as well as give modern women composers the opportunity to contribute to this list of "standards" and be recognized for their accomplishments.
Jacquelyn is also a founding member of Calypsus Brass. Founded in 2021 and now a non-profit organization, Calypsus is a professional chamber ensemble performing new works recitals, creating high-level professional recordings for composers, and working with chamber musicians at all levels. The five founding members are avid performers and educators touring around the world, giving masterclasses and recitals. Calypsus Brass is a groundbreaking musical group founded by five women who earned doctoral degrees in music. It is the first of its kind and is committed to recording and performing works of historically marginalized composers. Calypsus is also proud to be the ensemble in residence for Rising Tide Music Press; an organization that publishes and promotes Black, Brown, Indigenous, and Asian musicians in their first 10 years of professional-level work as composers and arrangers.
Jacquelyn was selected as one of Yamaha’s “40 Under 40” for 2024, a music education advocacy program to honor educators who are making a difference in growing and strengthening their music programs. She was chosen out of hundreds of nominations as one who showcases the following characteristics: action (anticipate what needs to be done and proactively take the necessary steps that lead to a stronger music program), courage (propose and implement new or bold ideas), creativity (show innovation and imagination in achieving plans and objectives) and growth (establish, grow, or improve music education in their schools and communities).
Jacquelyn continues to advocate for people from all backgrounds with future endeavors including her upcoming album One which will feature a wide variety of composers, performers, artists, and genres. Musicians involved in this project include Summer Camargo, Katie Jenkins, Marcus Grant, Jack Townson, Sophie Wang, Maria Fuller, Nadje Noordhuis, Shayne Townson, and more.
