Graduate Assistantship Available at Colorado State University



Colorado State University has a Graduate Teaching Assistantship position open (master’s degree only) in the trombone studio for Fall 2022. Graduate assistants receive tons of performing, teaching, and conducting experience to put on their CVs! There are additional scholarships for graduate and undergraduate students as well.

If you, or anyone you know, is interested in joining a dynamic trombone studio in a thriving and beautiful part of the country at the base of the Rocky Mountains, please email Dr. Drew Leslie, Assistant Professor of Music at Colorado State University.

Ithaca College – Opening for Assistant Professor of Trombone


The Ithaca College School of Music announces a full-time, tenure-eligible position for a teacher-performer of trombone beginning August 2022. Primary responsibilities include teaching weekly lessons for undergraduate students, coaching chamber music, teaching a weekly repertory class for trombone majors, and active participation in student recruitment. Special consideration will be given to candidates whose experience includes music education methods and/or jazz and contemporary styles. The School of Music is committed to increasing the diversity of its campus community and its curriculum, and candidates who can contribute toward that goal are encouraged to apply and to identify their strengths and experiences in that regard.

The job posting is available here. Position specific questions may be directed to the chair of the search committee, Alexander Shuhan, Professor of Horn: ashuhan@ithaca.edu.

Big 12 Trombone Conference


The Nineteenth Annual Big 12 Trombone Conference, hosted at Texas Tech University, will take place from January 14-16, 2022. This annual conference features presentations, guest artists, and solo competitions for tenor and bass trombone. This year, the featured guest artist is American trombonist, composer, arranger and YouTuber, Christopher Bill.

Please visit the conference website for further information about the conference and competition repertoire. The deadline for submission of recordings for the solo competition is November 8, 2021.

If entering by mail, be sure to clearly identify yourself on the CD jacket, but not on the recording itself.  Please send the CD, along with your name, mailing address, phone, email address, photocopy of your student ID and a check for $25.00 (checks made payable to “Iota Tau Alpha”) to:

Professor James T. Decker

c/o Texas Tech University School of Music

2624 18th Street

Lubbock, TX 79409-2033

Electronic submissions are also welcome.  An mp3 recording, along with the information listed above, may be e-mailed to james.decker@ttu.edube sure that recording does not contain your name anywhere on the mp3 file.  The entry will be considered upon receipt of the recording, personal information, and the entry fee.  Entry fees may be submitted through the portal on the Big 12 Trombone Conference Website.

For further information, please email Professor James T. Decker.

UNT Announces Teaching Fellowship For Jazz Trombone


The University of North Texas Jazz Trombone Studio is looking for our next Teaching Fellow (aka Teaching Assistant) starting in the Fall of 2022! 

Our TF Positions are paid (at both the MM and DMA levels), and most students also receive scholarships that qualifies them for in-state tuition rates. 

Our Studio TF is responsible for: 

  • Conducting the U-Tubes Jazz Trombone Ensemble
  • Assisting with Secondary Jazz Trombone Lessons
  • Assisting with our first year Jazz Performance Fundamentals course

Additionally, there are other opportunities to further your TF responsibilities throughout the jazz department based on your qualifications:

  • Conducting a Lab Band
  • Assisting with Jazz History Classes
  • Jazz Library Workers

Our Studio is also the host of our annual JTBN Day and International Jazz Trombone Competition, sponsored this year by Conn Selmer/King Trombones!

To view all of the details and APPLY here’s the link

http://www.nickfinzermusic.com/unt

And also an Audition Requirement Video, should you prefer.

We can’t wait for you to join us at UNT! 

Please contact Nicholas Finzer, Assistant Professor of Jazz, with any questions.

Graduate Assistantship at CU Boulder


A graduate trombone assistantship will be available at the University of Colorado Boulder College of Music starting fall 2022. The assistantship is available to MM or DMA candidates. Preference will be given to a bass trombonist, but tenor trombonists are encouraged to apply as well.

For application and audition information, visit: https://www.colorado.edu/music/admissions/prospective-graduate-students

Please contact Bill Stanley, Associate Professor of Trombone, for further information.

Complete Blazhevich Concert Duets for Two Trombones Now Available on Youtube


During the COVID-19 pandemic, trombonist Brian Wilson recorded and published the complete Blazhevich Concert Duets for Two Trombones. A playlist of all 38 duets is available on YouTube.

Brian received his B.A. in Music from Portland State University.  His principal teachers were Alan Pierce, Marc Wolters, John Trudeau, Warren Baker and H. Dennis Smith.  He has played in numerous musical organizations over the years including the Peter Britt Music Festival, Salem Chamber Orchestra, Willamette Master Chorus, Festival Choral Oregon, Salem Concert Band, Salem Big Band and the American Metropole Orchestra.  He is currently a software design engineer at Hewlett-Packard Company.

Graduate Assistantship in Trombone at Ohio University


The Ohio University School of Music has a Trombone Graduate Assistantship position open for Fall 2022! It includes a full tuition waiver and stipend.

DUTIES may include: teaching applied lessons, teaching trombone methods class, performing in the graduate brass quintet, or other responsibilities as needed.

COMPENSATION: Stipend ranges from $5,618 to $11,236 and a complete tuition waiver. Additionally, tuition scholarships are available for summer terms before and after the period covered by appointments.

QUALIFICATIONS: Completion of an undergraduate degree in music, excellent performance skills, experience with instruction, and acceptance into the University.

DEGREES OFFERED: The School of Music awards the Master of Music (M.M.) degree in performance, conducting, music education, music therapy, composition, theory, and music history and literature.

For more information, please contact Dr. Lucas Borges, Associate Professor of Trombone

One of four schools in the College of Fine Arts, the School of Music plays a significant role in the vibrant cultural life of Southeast Ohio. Our students, faculty, and guest artists present over 200 events annually. A distinguished faculty serves a primarily residential student body of approximately 279 undergraduate and 79 graduate music majors. Our alumni hold prominent positions as music educators, composers, conductors, performers, and music therapists throughout the United States and abroad.

Remembering Henry Charles Smith


Grammy award-winning brass player, conductor, and educator Henry Charles Smith passed away on September 8, 2021.

Smith was a member of the Philadelphia Orchestra from 1956-1967. After one year as Associate Principal Trombone, he was appointed Principal Trombone before leaving the orchestra to pursue a career in conducting. Smith performed over 2000 concerts under Eugene Ormandy and many of the 20th Century’s greatest conductors.

Smith spent 17 seasons with the Minnesota Orchestra as associate and resident conductor. He was appointed music director of the South Dakota Symphony in 1989, and is widely recognized for raising the artistic standard of the orchestra. In addition to his regular positions, Smith guest conducted orchestras across North America.

When he wasn’t performing, Smith had a passion for teaching. Smith served on the faculty at Indiana University and University of Texas at Austin, as well as many years at Interlochen.

ITA extends its condolences to Smith’s family and loved ones. The family wishes for memorials to be sent to Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies, N.C. Little Hospice, or Philadelphia Orchestra Retirees & Friends.

Teaching Fellowship at University of North Texas


The University of North Texas announces an opening for a teaching fellow (DMA candidates) starting Fall 2022. Benefits included with the fellowship include out-of-state tuition waivers, tuition benefit of 6 hours, stipend up to $12,800 per year, and access to employer sponsored health insurance. Duties include teaching trombone lessons, conducting trombone choir, and coaching chamber music.

The UNT Trombone Studio is one of the largest trombone programs in the world, with as many as 70 trombonists pursuing bachelors, masters and doctoral degrees in trombone performance, music education, jazz studies, music theory and composition. Located in one of the nation’s Ten Best College Towns and fastest growing metropolitan areas, the University of North Texas College of Music is one of the world’s largest and most respected music schools. UNT offers fully accredited degrees from the bachelor to doctoral levels and provides a dynamic, diverse and comprehensive learning environment in which each student’s fullest potential may be achieved. Distinguished UNT music alumni can be found around the globe in impressive, award-winning careers across a wide-range of music professions. The UNT Trombone Consortium was recently selected as the winning ensemble of the 2020 ITA Emory Remington Trombone Choir competition.

For more information, visit our website or contact our faculty:

Tony Baker: tony.baker@unt.edu

Natalie Mannix: natalie.mannix@unt.edu

Steven Menard: steven.menard@unt.edu

Lis Wessberg Prepares to Release Debut Album


Lis Wessberg, one of the leading trombonists in Denmark, is preparing to release her first solo album. She has performed on over 40 albums as a side (wo)man and shared the stage with many top artists, including Ray Charles and Randy Brecker.

Wessberg’s debut album, Yellow Map, will feature nine original compositions blending an acoustic-trombone led group with electronic sounds. The first singles from the album are available on YouTube.

The album will be released on October 1, 2021 from April Records. Please visit Ms. Wessberg’s website for further information.