News

South African jazz and experimental music artist Siya Makuzeni is once again in the spotlight following a major feature in a recent edition of a local publication. The piece highlights her growing international reputation and her continuous efforts to innovate within and beyond the genre of jazz. Makuzeni, widely known for her expressive trombone playing,…

Timothy Higgins has been appointed as the principal trombone of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO), effective from the 2025–26 season. He assumes the Lisa and Paul Wiggin Principal Trombone Chair, succeeding Jay Friedman, who retired after 63 seasons with the CSO. Higgins, a Houston native and Northwestern University alumnus, was selected following a final audition…

Solo trombone with the Cory Band, Brett Baker will release an exciting new solo CD this Autumn. This project was in collaboration once again with Paul Holland and the Flowers Band. The first solo recording with Flowers Band took place way back in 1998 when Brett was Chair of the Band. This is the 6th…

By Douglas Yeo Trombonists around the world are well acquainted with the life and work of Joannès Rochut. Since 1928, we have relied on his three volumes of “Melodious Etudes for Trombone,” adapted from the vocalises of Marco Bordogni, as important material for development of legato and expressive styles. In January 2025, the ITAJournal published its largest…

British trombonist Isobel Daws has been appointed Principal Trombone of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, continuing her rapid rise in the classical music world. Isobel began playing cornet at age three under the guidance of her father, David Daws, and the late Maisie Ringham Wiggins MBE, before switching to trombone in 2008. She trained at The…

Jay Friedman, Principal Trombone of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO), retires this month after an extraordinary 63-year tenure—the longest in CSO history, alongside harpist Lynne Turner. Appointed assistant principal trombone in 1962 by Fritz Reiner and promoted to principal in 1965 by Jean Martinon, Friedman became a cornerstone of the CSO’s legendary brass section. Throughout…

Missouri State University is pleased to welcome Dr. Steve Wolfinbarger to its trombone faculty beginning in Fall 2025. With many successful years of teaching experience as Professor of Trombone at Western Michigan University, Dr. Wolfinbarger has supported the musical and professional development of students, many of whom have won or placed in ITA competitions or…

This past month, Isabel Dungworth and pianist Raphael von Franqué won the first prize at the Bundeswettbewerb Jugend Musiziert 2025. We congratulate her and Raphael on this great achievement! Hailing from Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, the 17-year-old keeps a busy schedule, combining high school with the Youth Studies at the Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover…

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of James A. Erdman, II. A true legend of the trombone world, Jim passed away on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the age of 86. Formerly of the “President’s Own” United States Marine Band, Jim was known as soloist, teacher, mentor, role model, and virtuoso,…

Principal Bass Trombonist Clare Farr has been appointed as “Visiting Professor” of the Royal College of Music, London. She is one of 3 new visiting brass professors, with horn player Sarah Willis and tubaist Jens Bjørn-Larsen being the two others. Farr has been the Principal Bass Trombonist of the Norwegian Radio Orchestra since 2013. She…