Charles Thomas Schmitt, from Maitland, Florida, is this year’s Founder’s Medalist for Vanderbilt University Blair School of Music. Schmitt majored in trumpet performance with a concentration in jazz studies.
As a member of several Blair jazz ensembles, he has performed at some of Nashville’s foremost music venues and traveled to Cuba, Colombia and the Dominican Republic with the Vanderbilt Wind Symphony. Schmitt was a semifinalist in the National Trumpet Competition’s solo jazz division and was recognized by DownBeat Magazine.
He is a member of the Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society and received Blair’s Spirit of Billy Adair Award for service and leadership. After graduation, he will attend the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music to pursue a master of music in jazz instrumental performance. Schmitt is the third of three children in his family to earn a Vanderbilt degree.
Vanderbilt University awards Founder’s Medals annually to graduating students who have earned first honors from each of the university’s schools and colleges.
