Youth People’s Competition Winners

1st Place
Brandon Beal- French Horn

Brandon Beal, a student of Wichita Symphony principal horn Dr. Jeb Wallace, is a graduating senior horn player from Derby High School. Brandon began playing the horn in seventh grade when he was inspired by the diverse array of tone colors available on the instrument from rich melodies to brassy impacts. 
Throughout high school, Brandon has been featured on the horn, trumpet, and mellophone through solo performances in the school wind ensemble, jazz band, marching band, orchestra, musical pit, and choir. Outside of school, Brandon has played as the principal horn of the Wichita Symphony Youth Orchestra (2021-2025), Wichita Youth Wind Ensemble (2021-2023), and the Delano Youth Orchestra (2021-2023). Brandon has played in the KMEA All-State and SCKMEA District orchestra all four years of high school, including two principal horn appearances in the full orchestra. 

During the summers, Brandon has attended the Brass Institutes of America and Raphael Mendez Brass Institute in which he has played in masterclasses with world class horn teachers. Additionally, he has been offered a scholarship to attend the Interlochen Summer music festival. As a soloist, Brandon has received awards every year of high school for superior performance at the KBA district and state level. He has also been featured with the Wichita Youth Symphony as a winner of the Youth Talent Award in which he performed solo with the orchestra.
Brandon plans to pursue a degree in horn performance. He has already been accepted to several conservatories across the country, but at this time, he is unsure where he would like to further his education.

2nd Place
Miles Wilson- Oboe

Miles Wilson has been playing oboe for seven years; he currently studies with Cindy Thompson. He will soon graduate from Wichita High School East. Miles has participated in SCKMEA District orchestra for four years and KMEA All-State orchestra for three years. He has also been in WSYO Wind Ensemble throughout his high school years. He plans to major in Oboe Performance at KU so that he can later make his own community orchestra.

Brandon and Miles will be performing with the Delano Chamber Orchestra on Sunday, April 6, 2025.
The concert will be at District Church at 4pm. District Church is located at 304 S. Seneca, Wichita, Ks.