I had a great time recording my second trumpet album this past week at Tempest Recording in Tempe, Arizona. It's always a pleasure to work with Clarke Rigsby (recording and editing), Stephen Martin (producer), and Miriam Hickman (piano). 

The Southwest Minnesota Arts Council has awarded me an Established Artist Grant to record a full-length album of standard trumpet repertoire. I am very thankful to SMAC for their support of artists and musicians. 

I'm very happy to announce that I have accepted a Fellowship to purse a Doctorate in Trumpet Performance at the University of Minnesota. Here are a few photos of the first weeks.

My debut album, "Ploeger Plays Ploeger," has just been released! You can order your physical copy or digital download here at my website. You also can check it out on iTunes, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Spotify. The CD is 60 minutes of the newest music for trumpet.

I had a great time serving as the Assistant Conductor for the Hot Springs Music Festival again this summer. I had the opportunity to conduct excellent musicians in works by Sibelius, Dvorak, Ewazen, and Strauss. 

Six of my brand new compositions featuring the trumpet have just been published. You can check them out and purchase them in physical or digital format by visiting my web store.

The works are: Sonata for Trumpet and Piano, Proclamation for Trumpet and Piano, Sonatina fo...

I recently graduated from Arizona State University with a Master of Music degree in Trumpet Performance. Below are a few photos from graduation day.

All of the music for my upcoming album is now complete. The CD will feature 60 minutes of new music that features the trumpet. And all of the music is composed by myself. I will be joined by some great artists on the CD while I play the trumpet parts. Now off to the re...

Today marks the start of my second year at Arizona State University. This will be the last year of my Masters Degree in trumpet performance. Expect a recital or two and lots of other concerts and performances throughout the year!

Over the summer I served as the Assistant Conductor at the Hot Springs Music Festival as well as attending the Miami Music Festival as a Conducting Fellow. Check out some of the photos from these trips below.