John Kilgore has served as Principal Trumpet of the Boise Philharmonic since 2017. He also performs principal trumpet with Ballet Idaho and the Blue Lake Festival Orchestra in Twin Lake, MI. As a soloist, Kilgore has appeared with the Salisbury (MD) Symphony Orchestra, the Blue Lake Festival Band, and on several occasions with the Kansas State University Wind Ensemble. He has also performed as guest principal trumpet with the Wichita Symphony Orchestra, Boise Baroque Chamber Orchestra, and the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra.

In addition, Kilgore serves as assistant professor of trumpet at Kansas State University where he teaches applied trumpet, trumpet ensemble, and graduate and undergraduate literature courses. His students have performed at the National Trumpet Competition and the SHE: Festival of Women in Music, and include recipients of the Presser Scholar Award, the Muir Award, and International Trumpet Guild scholarships. During the summer, Kilgore serves on the faculty of Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp.

Kilgore is a frequent presenter and performer at universities and conferences across North America and beyond. As co-founder of Sapphire Brass, he has commissioned, performed and premiered works at the 2026 WindWorks Festival in Iceland, the International Trumpet Guild Conference, and at numerous U.S. universities. He has also performed, given premieres, and presented at the National Flute Association Conference, SHE: Festival of Women in Music, and the Midwest Trumpet Festival.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Kilgore holds degrees from Florida State University (D.M.), the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (M.M.), and Ohio University (B.M.). His primary teachers include Christopher Moore, John Schlabach, Philip Collins, Alan Siebert, and Marie Speziale.