Trumpeter Robin Paillet Wins 2025 ARD International Music Competition

On September 12th, the ARD International Music Competition announced Robin Paillet as the First Prize winner for the trumpet category for this year’s competition.

Paillet has gone through the competition circuit with high marks, including last year’s first prize at the Ellsworth Smith International Trumpet Competition. Studying in Paris with Marx Geuion and Alexis Demailly, followed by Reinhold Friedrich in Karlsruhe, he has appeared as a soloist with several major orchestras throughout France.

The 2025 ARD International Music Competition saw 96 trumpet applicants, with 54 admitted to the competition. Judges for this year’s competition included Reinhold Friedrich (1986 Second Prize), Andrei Kavalinski, Hannes Läubin, Chris Martin, Anne McAneney, Sergei Nakariakov, and Gabor Richter (2003 Third Prize).

In addition to Robin Paillet receiving First Prize, Sandro Hirsch won Second Prize, with Raphaël Horrach receiving the Third Prize. Other First Prize winners include Selina Ott (2018), Manuel Blanco Gómez (2011), David Guerrier (2003), and Maurice André (1963).

Learn more about the 2025 competition, repertoire, and other details by clicking this link.