Biography

Simon Gabriel, born on June 9, 2008, as the second son of a farming family in S-chanf, developed a passion for the trumpet at an early age when he decided to emulate his brother. Fortunately, the Oberengadin Music School sent its teacher, Ludwig Anton Wilhalm, to S-chanf to support the young brass player.

Simon attended primary school in S-chanf and started the talent school in Champfér in August 2021. In addition to his academic commitments, he dedicates significant time to his musical education, receiving instruction in trumpet and piano at the Oberengadin Music School.

Described as an exceptional talent by his teachers, Simon not only engages in regular music classes but also regularly participates in week courses and music camps at various locations. In October 2023, he was invited by the Cory Brass Band to spend a week playing music with them, concluding with two final concerts in the UK. Simon also successfully participates in numerous national and international competitions.

Simon Gabriel's achievements as a soloist are impressive. Among them, he secured a fourth-place finish at the Grisons Youth Competition in 2016. In 2017 and 2019, he won first prizes with distinction at the Swiss Music Competition. In the Grisons Youth Competitions of 2017, 2018, and 2019, he clinched the first prize and the Champion title each year.

Further successes include winning the first prize at the Talent Competition of the Vorarlberg State Conservatory in 2019 and 2020. Simon reached the finals of the SSQW in 2019 as the youngest participant. Additionally, he won various prizes with the MOTRE trumpet quartet. In 2020, he passed the entrance examination for the Swiss National Young Brass Band as the youngest candidate.

In 2021, Simon received the first prize with distinction at the Swiss Music Competition and an award in the U13 category at the SSQW Swiss Solo and Quartet Competition for Brass and Percussion Instruments. In 2022, he was awarded the first prize with distinction at the Music Competition Schiers and the SJMW Entrada, both with distinction. In the same year, he achieved the first prize with distinction in the final and with the MOTRE trumpet ensemble. He secured the first place at the BSEW and was crowned Grisons Solo Champion.

The year 2023 brought outstanding achievements, including the first prize with distinction at Entrada and MOTRE. In the final of SJMW Lugano, he won the first prize, while at the SSQW Lucerne, he secured the first prize in the U16 category. Furthermore, he received the first prize at the SJMW Final Lugano and the third prize with MOTRE. At the Malmö European Soloists Competition, he was a finalist and won the third prize, in addition to the Audience Award and the Band Prize.