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University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) has announced a search for a full-time Clinical Assistant/Associate/Full Professor of Trombone. The UIUC School of Music is seeking a dynamic, effective, and engaging artist-teacher with a record of high-level performances to teach undergraduate and graduate trombone students in all degree and diploma programs. This includes weekly lessons for each student, a weekly trombone studio class, and graduate-level trombone literature and pedagogy classes. Additional teaching responsibilities will be based on the secondary area(s) of expertise. Successful candidates will pursue an active recruiting program that includes building relationships with schools and private teachers statewide, other universities, and national/international organizations. The start date for this position is August 16, 2024. Information about the position and required qualifications for applicants may be found here:

https://illinois.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/8285?c=illinois

The deadline for applications is November 8, 2023. Initial screening of applications will begin immediately, and interviews may be conducted prior to the close of the search. However, no hiring decision will be made until after the close of the search.

For more information about the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign School of Music, visit:

music.illinois.edu

Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler, Berlin has announced that Louise Pollock will be their new trombone professor. She has held the position of principal trombone of the Gothenburg Opera from 2015 to 2023, and spent 3 seasons with the Stuttgart Philharmonic prior to that. Pollock has already built a stellar reputation as a college teacher, having taught at the University of Göteborg Academy of Music and Drama, a position she took over from Niell Humfeld award winner professor Ingemar Roos.

Louise Pollock grew up in Erlenbach in Switzerland, south east of Zürich. She started playing the trombone in a local youth wind band, and later joined the Swiss national youth wind band and the Zürich youth orchestra.

Pollock started her studies with Prof. Branimir Slokar at the Hochschule für Musik Freiburg, where she received her Bachelor degree with distinction. She continued to earn her master degree in Stuttgart with Prof. Henning Wiegräbe.

She has won several prizes in solo competitions, like 1. Prize and Audience Prize at the International Aeolus Competition for Wind Instruments 2016 and the Stipendium des Deutschen Musikwettbewerbes. She has performed as a soloist with orchestras throughout Europe, such as Düsseldorfer Symphoniker, GöteborgsOperan or Duisburger Philharmoniker. She is a regular jury member at international competitions, and has been invited as artist and guest teacher at festivals in Poland, Norway, Switzerland, USA and Chile . She was a featured artist and performed a memorable recital at the ITF 2022 in Conway, Arkansas.

Pollock is also honored to serve on the Board of Advisors of the International Trombone Association, and has recently been appointed to be the chairwoman of the German Trombone Association.

Louise is a Conn Artist, and performs exclusively on a sterling silver/gold Conn 88H from the early 1950s.

Eyvind Sommerfelt
Online News Coordinator

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of the great Dr. Irvin L. Wagner (September 15, 2023).
Dr. Wagner was the long-time professor of trombone at the University of Oklahoma, Music Director and Conductor of the Oklahoma Community Orchestra, and mentor to so many. At the University of Oklahoma, he held two distinguished titles of David Ross Boyd and Regents Professor of Trombone. He was a trombonist in the Oklahoma City Philharmonic for 25 years and named “Oklahoma Musician of the Year” by the Governor in 1988.

Prior to joining the faculty at Oklahoma, Dr. Wagner taught at Louisiana State University and performed with the Baton Rouge Symphony. Notably, he is a past president of the International Trombone Association (1982-1984) and was heavily involved with championing and advocating for our instrument across the globe. He helped organize and establish national trombone chapters in many countries including Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, Israel, Greece, and Great Britain.

His efforts around the world included public performances in over 30 countries, a TV special in China

viewed by over 600 million people, and a radio recital in India listened to by over 500 million people. These travels and performances led him to being called “the Most Listened to Trombonist in the World.” He held a Bachelor’s Degree from McPherson College in Kansas as well as masters and doctorate degrees from the Eastman School of Music where he studied with the great Emory Remington.

Thank you, Irv, for all you did for our instrument, our community, and the world.

The International Trombone Association

22 year old Ukrainian trombonist Polina Tarasenko won the trombone category of the 2023 Aeolus Competition in Dusseldorf, Germany.

Tarasenko has a unique background as a trombonist, which is reflected in her very personal style and musicianship. She grew up in Kherson in eastern Ukraine, starting her musical musical career playing Dixieland jazz. Her youth group, under the guidance of Semen Ryvkin, frequently played in festivals and concerts in Ukraine and abroad. She also studied piano and music theory. After winning a competition, she enrolled in the Gnesin Russian Academy of Music in Moscow, studying trombone, trumpet, saxophone, piano, organ and composition.

Having several musical interests, her choice for higher level studies still fell on classical trombone. From 2019 to 2022, she studied at HMTMH Hanover with Jonas Bylund, and she is currently a master student of Ian Bousfield in Bern.

As a soloist, Polina Tarasenko is already a featured artist by the UR classics, and is starting a promising career, performing in major venues all over Europe. Tarasenko is also an active chamber musician, having founded the Anima Trombone Quartet with fellow students in Hanover.

3 other trombonists also received prizes at the competition: Elai Grisaru won 4th prize and Roberto de la Guía Martínez took home the 6th prize after the semi finals. Sophie Bright was awarded the special prize for the best interpretation of a contemporary piece.

Each year, 3 different instruments are featured, and the categories this time were trumpet, trombone and tuba. The prize pool is a total of €60.000, and the first prize alone was €20.000. The final was streamed live on YouTube, and you can watch her performance here.

The final results were as follows:
1st prize: James Vauguen (US), trumpet
2nd prize: Xianhua Liu (China), tuba
3rd prize: Polina Tarasenko (Ukraine), trombone

Audience Prize: James Vaughen.
Prize for best interpretation of a contemporary piece: Sophie Bright (UK).

Eyvind Sommerfelt
ITA Online News Coordinator.

Photos by Monika Lawrenz and Philippe Stier

Norwegian trombonist Marie Nøkleby Hanssen just won the joint principal job of the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra.

Nøkleby Hanssen grew up in Asker, close to Oslo. She got her bachelor degree from University of Music, Drama and Media Hannover with Jonas Bylund as her main teacher. She finished her studies with the master soloist diploma at the Norwegian Academy of Music, under the guidance of Bylund and Sverre Riise.

As the daughter of trombonists, Nøkleby Hanssen attended her first ITA festival at only 3 years old. In

2018, she won the ITA Alto Trombone Competition, and in 2019, she was a finalist of the Robert Marsteller competition. In 2022, she was the only Scandinavian trombonist to reach the 2nd round of the ARD solo competition in Münich.

Nøkleby has been working as trombonist of the Staff Band of the Norwegian Armed Forces since 2019, and has enjoyed engagements with the major orchestras in Oslo, Gothenburg and Bergen. She is a fixed member of the all female tenThing Brass Ensemble, and is frequently appearing as a soloist accompanied by orchestras and bands.

Marie has a YouTube channel, and here she plays the recently discovered Ole Olsen trombone concerto in F major. It was recorded as part of her soloist diploma at the Norwegian Academy of Music in 2021.

Eyvind Sommerfelt
ITA Online News Coordinator

Hillary Simms was recently appointed to be the new trombonist of the American Brass Quintet (ABQ). The distinguished chamber ensemble has been an “Ensemble-in-Residence” at The Juilliard School since 1987. As part of the residency, Simms is the first woman to ever joined the trombone faculty of the prestigious institution, and she is also the first female member of the ABQ. These barrier breaking accomplishments even gained the attention of the New York Times, which featured her in an informative article. As a Julliard factulty member, she will mainly teach chamber music, with some administrative tasks as well.

Simms is from Torbay, at the east part of Newfoundland. Her education includes a Bachelor of Music from McGill University, a Masters in Music Performance from Yale University and an Artist Diploma from the Glenn Gould School, Royal Conservatory of Music. She is currently enrolled at the artistic DMA program at Northwestern University under the guidance of Michael Mulcahy.

Hillary Simms is a complete classical trombonists with a stellar career both as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral player. She even has professional experience with various jazz groups. In her interview with the New York Times, Simms highlights that professional trombone playing is still a male dominated field. She states that visible female idols are important to inspire more young girls to pursue careers as trombonists.

As a member of the American Brass Quintet, Simms joins an ensemble with history going all the way back to 1960. They have done over 60 recordings and premiered over 150 contemporary pieces by composers such as Jennifer Higdon, Eric Ewasen, Gunther Schüller and Elliott Carter. Simms is filling the position previously held by trombonist Michael Powell, who was the group’s longest serving member (1983-2023).

Eyvind Sommerfelt
ITA Online News Coordinator

After a competitive recent audition, British trombonist Isobel Daws won the principal trombone position of the Luxenbourg Philharmonic Orchestra.

Daws is currently a member of the Karajan Academy of the Berlin Philharmonic orchestra, a program which has been a springboard for a who’s-who of the recent generation of trombonists. She has already released her first solo CD, as well being a member of the renowned trombone quartet “Bone-afide“, which has already released the CDs Burkdown and Christmas with Bone-afide. Daws has appeared soloist durig brass festivals and events in venues such as Birmingham Symphony Hall and Wigmore Hall.

Isobel started her musical at the ‘Purcell School of Music’ and then went to ‘Chetham’s School of Music’ and the ‘Junior Guildhall School of Music and Drama’. She graduated from the Royal Academy of Music in 2022, having studied with Matt Gee, Peter Moore and Ian Bousfield. She created a buzz in the UK after being offered a trial for the principal position of the London Symphony orchestra during her first year at the Royal Academy of Music, at the age of 19. Since then, she has also performed with orchestras such as the Berlin Philharmonic, the Bavarian Radio Orchestra, Philharmonia, Berlin Staatskapelle and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

Eyvind Sommefelt
Online news co-ordinator

After some consideration, we hope this is the format for a monthly or bi-monthly news post with short presentations of the new trombone music releases!

Every artist has made an immense effort to make these projects a reality! Take this chance to support them, and get to know new music featuring the trombone!

If you know about a release or you have made one yourself you want us to listen to and write about, please don’t hesitate to send us an email!

Enzo Turriziani: Roots

Classical album
The Italian princiapal trombonist of the Vienna Philharmonic makes his debut recording as a soloist! He choice was to present his take on the wind band versions of the Bourgeois and Korsakoff concertos, alongside some exciting lesser known pieces. The album was recorded in Rome with the Italian Army Wind Band, conducted by Maestro Filippo Cangiamila.
What to expect: a polished and virituoso trombonist with an effortless high register.

Esteban Batallan and Alberto Urretxo: Finesterra!

Classical concert video
Spanish trombonist and composer Richardo Mollá Albeto has seen his works performed by the New York and Los Angeles Philharmonic, and he has written for artists such as Joseph Alessi and Jörgen van Rijen. The video recording of his double concerto “Finsterra!” for trumpet, trombone and orchestra was recently released on YouTube. The ambitious work was premiered in 2022 by the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra with Esteban Batallan on trumpet and Alberto Urretxo on trombone as soloists.
What to expect: A brilliant new double concerto which is easy to enjoy.

Hailey Brinnel:  Beautiful Tomorrow

Jazz album
Brinnel is a trombonist, vocalist, and educator based in Philadelphia, and this is following up I’m Forever Blowin Bubbles from 2021. She is more featured as a vocalist than a trombonist on this album, but don’t let that turn you away, as she is a great jazz singer in her own right! Her trombone playing is heard both in solos and ensemble parts.

What to expect: Charming and well crafted jazz inspired by the music from the 20s through 40s.

Karin Hammar: Opening

Jazz album
This is Hammar’s sixth solo album, following up Strings Attached from 2022. Her personal style as jazz trombonist is heavily featured on this album, which she also produced and composed all the music for. This is a collaboration the Italian jazz pianist Rita Marcotulli. Niklas Fernqvist – bass, Fredrik Rundqvist – drums and Andreas Hourdakis – guitar finish the lineup.
What to expect: Melodic, expressive modern jazz rooted in Northern Europe.

Nick Finzer: Dreams Visions Illusions

Jazz album
In 2020, New York City based jazz trombonist Nick Finzer received a grant from New Jazz Works grant from Chamber Music America, which made this album possible. Finzer is an active and productive artist, who is also assistant professor of jazz trombone at the University of North Texas. This album exclusively features compositions by Finzer himself, performed alongside a jazz sextet with Lucas Pino – tenor saxophone, Alex Wintz – guitar, Glenn Zaleski – piano, Dave Baron – bass, and Jimmy Macbride – drums.
What to expect: A modern jazz trombonist with wide range of virituosity and expression.

Mihał Tomaszczyk: Zadora

Jazz album
Tomaszczyk is the lead trombonist of the Norrbotten Big Band in the north of Sweden. This album, however, is recorded in his native Poland. Tomaszczyk has produced and written or co-written all the tracks on this album, where he plays both trombone, flugabone and valve trombone. Aga Derlak – piano, Sebastian Kuchczyński – drums, Michał Jaros – double bass, Robert Majewski – flugelhorn and Przemysław Florczak – soprano & tenor saxophones
What to expect: Modern but relaxed jazz featuring excellent musicians from Poland.

Stay tuned for more exciting releases next month!

Eyvind Sommerfelt
Online news co-ordinator

Another major solo competition for young trombonists has recently concluded. Unlike the inaugural Michel Becquet competition, the “74th Prague Spring Competition” boasts a rich history dating all the way back to 1947. The categories rotate each year, and in 2023, the featured instruments were the trombone and viola. The last time since 2011 aspiring trombonists had the chance to enter was in 2011, when Nicolas Moutier was awarded a 2nd prize.

A young duo tops the event

Gonçalo Nova, a 19-year-old trombonist from Oporto, Portugal, emerged as the winner of the competition. Nova commenced his studies with Joaquim Oliveira at the Oporto Conservatory, where he graduated with the highest distinction. In 2021, he continued his studies at the Freibourg Univeristy of Music with prof. Fabrice Millicher. Nova is the principal trombonist of the orchestra of the Stuttgart State Opera, a position he won in April 2022

 

Securing the second prize was Juhyeon Seo, representing Seoul, South Korea. He an alumnus of the reknown Sunhwa Arts School. Seo’s talent has already been recognized in his home country through accomplishments like his victory in the T&B Music competition in 2018 and having two performances available on Amazon Music. He was granted a special scholarship for talented young artists sponsored by the Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-koo Foundation. At only 16 years old, Seo’s triumph in the trombone category of the Dong-Ha Music Competition in 2020 made him the competition’s youngest-ever winner. Presently, Seo is a first-year student at Seoul National University.

The third prize went to Tim Oewjan from the Netherlands. He is the principal trombonist of the Netherland’s Radio Orchestra, and was also a finalst in the Michel Becquet competition.

In addition to the 3 prize winners, the jury rewarded 2 Honourable Mentions to Botond Drahos from Hungary and Jarosƚaw Meisner from Poland.

A group of competitors from all over the world!

The competition started with 33 preselected trombonists representing an impressive array of countries: China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, United States of America and Venezuela. 13 of them advanced to the 2nd round, and 3 of them passed all the way to the final.

The young trombonists who advanced to the second showing a great attitude towards the competition!

Did the jury choose the right winners and finalists? You can judge yourself or just enjoy some great trombone playing as the entire competition is available on YouTube!

-Eyvind Sommerfelt
Online news co-ordinator

Spanish trombonist Roberto de la Guia won the first prize of the Michel Becquet International Trombone Competition on the 16th of April!

De le Guia is now the principal trombonist of the Wupperthal Symphony orchestra in Germany. He comes from Minya in Spain, and started his studies at the Castilla-de-la-Mancha conservatory. After winning a scholarship at the Alicante brass festival, he continued his studies in Freiburg with prof. Fabrice Millicher. Later, he returned to Spain to play 2 years with the Spanish Military Band, before returning to Germany to join the Karajan Academy of the Berlin Philharmonic. De la Guia won 3rd prize in the prestigeus ARD solo competition in 2022.

Academists come out on top

The 2nd prize of the competition went to Tim Ouewejan from the Netherlands. He studied at the Amsterdam Conservatory, and currently serves as the principal trombonist of the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic. Ouewjan was previosly an academinst with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Víctor Álvarez Alegría from Spain won the 3rd prize. He is currently an academist at the Karajan Academy of the Berlin Philarmonic with Jesper Busk Sørensen as his main teacher.

As part of the program, the finalists played “Fragments” by Georges Sadeler. This concertino for

trombone and wind band was written especially for this competition!

Before the event, the jury pre-selected 62 trombonists to take part in the live first round. Following 2 the

first 2 days of competition, 13 advanced to the semi final.

In addition to being a competition, this event was also a brass festival! The chamber groups Octotrip, Trio Turbulence, Spanish Brass and Belgian Brass all played concerts.

The competition facebook page.
Web page

-Eyvind Sommerfelt
Online news coordinator