Christian Garner

Soloist with Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra

Christian Garner, a senior at Minnetonka High School, is the principal trumpet of the Rochester Symphony and has been selected twice for Carnegie Hall’s premier national youth ensemble, NYO-USA. This summer, he performed with the ensemble at Berlin Konzerthaus, Amsterdam Concertgebouw, and Edinburgh Usher Hall in performances of Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra. He previously toured Asia with NYO-USA. In addition, he has recently performed with the Quad Cities Symphony Orchestra and the Mankato Symphony.

Since 2021, Christian has served as principal trumpet of the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies (GTCYS) top ensemble, Symphony, performing works by Mahler, Stravinsky, and Shostakovich across France, Spain, and Italy. During summer 2026, he joined GTCYS on tour to Australia and New Zealand, appearing as soloist in John Williams’ “With Malice Toward None” alongside performances of Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet at the Sydney Opera House. In 2027, he will perform as principal trumpet in GTCYS’s performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 3.In 2025, Christian won the National Trumpet Competition and the orchestral excerpts division of the International Trumpet Guild’s Ryan Anthony Memorial Trumpet Competition. His performances of Kennan’s Sonata for Trumpet and Abblasen have been broadcast nationally on NPR’s From the Top. Other solo highlights include Tomasi’s Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra at Minneapolis’ Orchestra Hall with GTCYS, Arutunian’s Trumpet Concerto with the Minnetonka Symphony, and Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto with Medalist Band. He has received first prizes from Thursday Musical and Schubert Club and was a finalist in the Minnesota Orchestra’s YPSCA Concerto Competition. Christian primarily studies with Robert Dorer and Charles Lazarus of the Minnesota Orchestra. An accomplished pianist and winner of the MacPhail Concerto Competition, he previously studied with Suzanne Greer. Outside of music, he enjoys mountain biking, skiing, and playing with his dogs.