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Harmonic Revolution: Music for Change is a new initiative started by Donn Schaefer at the University of Utah. “Justice Fanfare: A music piece to unite people in a good cause” is a trombone octet free for everybody to download, perform, and enjoy. This is an ideal work for multi-track videos.

Commissioned in a time of national turmoil and racial injustice, this project was started to help us find answers to the question “what can we as musicians do to change the world?” Our modest answer was to create new compositions that will be shared freely around the globe. In programming this music, it is hoped that listeners and performers might ask the question, “what can I do to make the world better?”

William Pagan-Perez is the composer of Justice Fanfare. He incorporates elements of Cuban music including a Guaguanco rhythm and Son clave. Optional percussion can increase the Latin flavor of this fanfare.

Download a free copy of Justice Fanfare here: https://williampagan.com/works-for-trombone

If you would like to be involved in the Harmonic Revolution Initiative, please contact Donn Schaefer at: d.schaefer@music.utah.edu

Each year, the International Trombone Association presents awards to individuals and organizations—including those involved in performance, teaching, composition, arranging, conducting, and research—that have made profound, outstanding, and lasting impacts in furthering the Association’s mission. Two awards are presented annually—the ITA Award and the Neill Humfeld Excellence in Teaching Award. Three other awards—the Legacy Circle Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Orchestra Recognition Award—are presented from time to time. Nominations for 2021 awards are requested from the ITA’s membership. A one-page letter of nomination that details why a member believes a nominee should be honored with one of the Association’s awards may be sent to the Chair of the ITA’s Standing Committee on Awards at awards@trombone.net. Criteria for selection may be found on the ITA website at: www.trombone.net/about-ita/awards

All nominations are due by December 1 at which time the Standing Committee on Awards will prepare ballots to be voted on by the ITA Officers, Council of Past Presidents, and Board of Advisors. Winners shall be announced by January 15.

August 23, 2020

Founded in 1972, the International Trombone Association (ITA) has been and is committed to being, in the words of its Mission and Vision Statement, “a fully inclusive organization,” and one that “shall promote, nurture, and celebrate the trombone and trombone related activities.” One of the Association’s core strategies is to “celebrate our diversity.”

The ITA affirms its commitment to championing and celebrating diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the world-wide community of trombonists in all of its activities including its Journal, its sponsored events including the International Trombone Festival, its website and social media platforms, and its governance.

The Association recognizes, however, that this commitment has not always been expressed in ways that have properly or adequately reflected the importance and value of the many diverse aspects of our multi-faceted membership. In light of this, it is with renewed energy that the ITA’s leadership commits itself to implementing its inclusive Mission with the support, guidance, and assistance of all of its members as we—together—energetically champion the trombone and all those who give it voice.

Jacques Mauger, President
Carol Jarvis, First Vice President and President Elect
Megumi Kanda, Second Vice President
Ben van Dijk, Immediate Past President

Christopher Houlding, Chair, Executive Board
Bradley Palmer, Vice-Chair, Executive Board
Christopher Shook, Secretary-Treasurer, Executive Board
Natalie Mannix, Executive Board Member

Magnus Nilsson, Executive Director
Diane Drexler, ITA Journal Editor
Karen Marston, International Trombone Festival Director
Justin Cook, International Trombone Festival and Exhibitor Manager

Steve Wolfinbarger, Chair, Governance Committee
Nathaniel Brickens, Governance Committee
JoDee Davis, Governance Committee
Ben McIlwain, Governance Committee
Douglas Yeo, Governance Committee

Further to this statement, the International Trombone Association would like to add that it intends to renew its commitment to diversity and inclusion through an active advisory council on diversity appointed by the executive board.

 

Price & Co. Publishing kindly offers a 10% discount to ITA members on their Book of Solos. Book of Solos is designed to last you from student to pro. Included are the 30 most popular audition, concert, and recital solos in one book – all with a new modern and thoughtful design. A portion of all profits for the Book of Solos trombone will be donated back to the ITA.
To pick up your discount code, please visit our members-only section.

Former Boston Symphony Orchestra bass trombonist and Wheaton College trombone professor Doug Yeo has been selected to serve on the ITA Governance Committee. Doug brings a wealth of background and knowledge with him, having taken part in over a dozen elections each year, both local and federal government, plus various association elections of board members for financial institutions. His knowledge of processes and procedures will be very helpful, and the committee looks forward to his future contributions.

Other Governance Committee members include Steve Wolfinbarger (chair), Nathaniel Brickens, JoDee Davis, Ben McIlwain, and Chris Shook (ex officio).

The 2019 Trombone Christmas events are in the books.  This year there were 11 Trombone Christmas concerts with a total of 752 players.  The highlights are:

• Trombone Christmas – Anaheim had its 10^th
• Trombone Christmas – Kansas City had 261 participants, a new Trombone Christmas record.
• Trombone Christmas inaugural events were Huntsville, AL; Harrisonburg, VA and Pittsburgh, PA.

The locations and the organizers is as follows:

Anaheim, CA              Douglas Grieve – National Director

Location                     Organizer                         Location                           Organizer

Charlotte, NC              William T Harris                Colorado Springs, CO      Christina Vancamp

Denver, CO                 Doug Harris                      Harrisonburg, VA              Robert Mott

Hillsboro, OR              John Ohnstad                   Huntsville,AL                     Patrick Sullivan

Kansas City, MO         Frank Perez                      Middletown, CT                 George Riggs

Philadelphia, PA         Kushol Gupta                    Pittsburgh, PA                   Kevin M. McManus

Trombone Christmas has been growing since 2009 and we are looking for more events. Anyone with good organizing skill and love the trombone can sign to be a trombone Christmas event organizes.  The first step is to go to the www.trombonechristmas.org website and register.  Trombone Christmas conducts free no obligation webinars in August.

 

 

 

Trombonists Altin Sencalar & Chris Glassman- Recent graduates of Michigan State University’s’ prestigious Jazz Studies program. Educators, freelance musicians, and now recording artists are set to bring the sound of the two-trombone quintet to the forefront of jazz. Originally inspired by the legendary JJ Johnson & Kai Winding trombone quintet, the two have combined forces and reinvented the sound with the use of guitar, piano, tenor trombone, and bass trombone. Their album, “Realization” is available on every streaming platform as of January 17th, 2020. The quintet began touring Michigan during the week of January 19th as part of their “2020 Realization” spring/summer tour. The group started the tour at UrbanBeat in Lansing and continued at, Jazz Tuesday’s at Moriarty’s Pub and Grill, Cadieux Café, Blue Llama Jazz and Supper Club, performed a masterclass at Ohio State University and will be appearing as featured artists at Big Rapids Festival of the Arts, the 2020 Mid Atlantic Jazz Festival, the 2020 American Trombone Workshop, and concluding their tour at the 2020 Brevard Jazz Institute as artists in residence.

The producer of the record, legendary trombonist, Michael Dease, member of David Sandborn, Christian McBride Big Band, and Associate Professor of Jazz Trombone at Michigan State University served as a mentor for both Sencalar and Glassman. The two leaders said, “Dease served an important role as the producer by giving his guidance and advice in and out of the studio helping shape the album and make the music sound as it should.”

The album was recorded at Solid Sound Co. in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The album consists of six originals by Sencalar and Glassman as well as fresh interpretations of five jazz standards. The album also features former Jazz at Lincoln Center bassist, Rodney Whitaker, a guest appearance by producer, Michael Dease, and award-winning young musicians, Addison Frei, Nathan Borton, and Zachary Adleman. It features arrangements from veteran musicians such as Steve Davis, Jason Hainsworth, Randy Napoleon, and rising star, Joseph Herbst. “Realization” embodies the trials and moments of catharsis that emerging musicians experience.

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About the Sencalar/Glassman Quintet:

The Sencalar/Glassman Quintet is comprised of tenor trombonist, Altin Sencalar and Bass Trombonist, Chris Glassman. The two met during their graduate degree course work at Michigan State University. Together the two have been finalists or winners in every jazz trombone competition as well as sidemen for Christian McBride, Ulysses Owens, Rodney Whitaker, Rene Marie, Steve Wilson, Etienne Charles, Dafnis Prieto, The Jonas Brothers, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Big Sean, Ne-Yo, and many others. The group has also appeared at the 2019 Detroit Jazz Festival, 2018 Lansing Jazz Festival, the Elephant Room in Austin, TX, and curated the 2019 “Welcome Home” Tour through an educational outreach program as grant recipients of the FY19 East Lansing Arts Commission and the Michigan State University Running Start grant. http://www.sencalarglassmanquintet.com

Following a national audition, Western Michigan University trombonist Tony Colella has won a position in the trombone section of the elite US Army Field Band. The band has performed in all 50 states and 25 foreign countries for audiences totaling more than 100 million, including tours throughout the United States, and to Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe, the Far East, and India.

According to US Army Field Band trombonist Todd Sturniolo, “What I find really cool is Tony’s progression from OSU to the Ohio National Guard, taking time away from the horn, then having the “eyes on the prize” in winning a job with us via going back to school at Western to hone his skills. That’s not unlike many people trying to find their way into a career path in music performance. Not enough jobs and tons of qualified graduates.”

Tony will join the band after completing this semester’s course work at WMU.

Ken Novotny, on behalf of Ed Thayers widow, Barbara Thayer, has created a Gofundme Page to help Barbara Thayer (94), the wife of the legendary Orla “Ed” Thayer (D. June 3, 2009).

For those unfamiliar, Ed Thayer revolutionized the trombone valve world when he created and patented the Axial Flow Valve. For many in the brass and trombone world, their lives forever transformed for the better because of Ed and Barbara.

What many people may not realize is that behind Ed’s brilliance was his loving wife, Barbara. Many may never know that she ordered supplies, handled shipping, spoke with many of us on the phone and, she personally fit and finished countless numbers of Valve kits.

The Thayer legacy is complex, to say the least. We could write books on the subject, but that’ll be for another time. Due to several unfortunate circumstances surrounding the patent and production of the Axial Flow Valve, Barbara and Ed found themselves with only Social Security for support. They faced their golden years with debt, no home and very challenging financial conditions. Now, with Ed gone for over 10 years, Barbara desperately needs our help.

Barbara knocked down nearly all their debt, all while refusing to file for bankruptcy. Only $4,285.99 remains left on her credit card. However, she has no place to call “home” and, lives by renting rooms month-to-month from various places that she can afford. Think AirBnB. Unfortunately, her Social Security income is too low to keep up with rising costs of living.

We’re reaching out to folks, especially those in the music community, brass players, trombone players, music educators, instrument makers and, instrument repair technicians.

Our goal is to raise sufficient funds to:

1. Eliminate Barbara’s remaining $4,285.99 credit card debt.
2. Ship her and Ed’s legacy papers and prototypes to the International Trombone Association (ITA) Library in Columbus, SC. This step will allow anyone access to Ed’s Axial Flow Valve documents, history and legacy.
3. Generate enough additional donations to purchase a tiny-house design (200 sq feet) so Barbara may live out her life in comfort in Oregon.

Donations are welcome to: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-barbara-thayer-the-widow-of-ed-thayer

Any help you can send is appreciated by Barbara. I also know that Barbara personally appreciates everything that everyone does to keep Ed’s Axial Flow Valve legacy alive and playing in the halls and studios throughout the world.

Ken Novotny (on behalf of Barbara Thayer)