Reviewers have described Richard Stoelzel's trumpet playing as "virtuosic and lyrical." He began his career as solo cornet with the U.S. Coast Guard Band, a presidential band. A Yamaha International Performing Artist, he maintains an active career as an international soloist, chamber and orchestral musician. A champion of new music, Stoelzel has commissioned over 40 arrangements and original compositions for trumpet solo, brass quintet, trumpet ensemble, trumpet and band, and trios (trumpet, violin and piano). His CDs, Born to be Mild and A Mild Fantastie (Albany Records) have received high critical acclaim. Stoelzel is principal trumpet with the Palm Beach Opera and professor of trumpet at Grand Valley State University in Michigan. His students have consistently won major awards (16 international prizes and 20 national awards). Stoelzel's trumpet ensembles have toured Turkey, Greece, China as well as being regular finalists and winners of the National Trumpet Competition.
