Thomas Ratzek, Germany
Trumpet
German Thomas Ratzek (b.1976 in Offenau) started playing the piano at the early age of 3 before discovering his love for the trumpet at the age of 13. He received his first lessons from his father and Georges Lukaczy, before studying with Richard Steuert at the Würzburg Conservatory. In 1997 he continued his studies at the Musikhochschule Karlsruhe with Prof. Reinhold Friedrich.
Thomas performs with several chamber music groups, including Ambrassador and the European Youth Brass-Ensemble, he has performed with World Brass since 2001. As a freelance musician, he has played with the Frankfurt Radio Orchestra, the SWR Baden-Baden, the Saarbrücken Radio Orchestra, the Württemberg Chamber Orchestra and the Staatstheater Wiesbaden. He has appeared as soloist with the Stuttgarter Philharmoniker, and performed the Germany premiere of Alfred Reed's trumpet concerto. Currently, Thomas holds the position of Associate Principal Trumpet in the Civic Orchestra of Bremen.