Archives: News

The Nineteenth Annual Big 12 Area Trombone Conference was held January 14^th – 16^th at Texas Tech University.  The Conference’s Featured Guest Artist was world renowned classical trombonist, composer and arranger Christopher Bill.

Mr. Bill’s feature performance and master class were both amazing and inspiring.  The performance was free spirited, creative, and joyous. The master class had Mr. Bill showcase his creativity, explain his creative process, and answer the intuitive questions regarding his equipment, musical philosophies, and concepts.  His newly created compositions and engaging conversations made both sessions very special.

Additional highlights included the Big 12/Houghton Horns Tenor Trombone Solo Competition, the Big 12 Bass Trombone Solo Competition, an exciting faculty showcase recital, great choir performances and many inspiring clinics and presentations.

The Solo Competitions finals featured fine student musicians from Baylor University, Missouri State University, The University of Central Arkansas, University of Denver, and Texas A&M University at Kingsville.  After prolonged deliberations from our adjudication panel, the winners were:

• Big 12 Bass Trombone Solo Competition: Paden Sharp, University of Central Arkansas
• Big 12/Houghton Horns Tenor Trombone Solo Competition:  Christopher Terrazas, University of Denver.

Congratulations to all finalists and their professors!

In addition to the solo competition finals, featured performers and clinicians included:

• Dr. Allan Kaplan of New Mexico State University
• Dr. William Haugeberg of the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley
• Dr. Lucas Kaspar of Cameron University
• Dr. Tyrone Block of Southwestern Assemblies of God University
• Dr. Jason Hausback of Missouri State University
• Dr. Gilles Bernard of New Jersey City University
• William Rose of McNeese State University
• Dr. Douglas Mark of Delta State University
• David Jackson of the University of Michigan
• Dr. Timothy Howe of the University of Missouri
• Charles West from Florida State University

Attendees were enthused by the performances and presentations by these well renowned educators.

Great ensemble playing took place during the conference, including performances by:

• University of Missouri Trombone Ensemble, directed by Dr. Timothy Howe
• University of Denver Graduate Trombone Quartet, coached by Richard Harris
• ‘Tyrone’s Bones’ from the Southwestern Assemblies of God University, led by Dr. Tyrone Bloc

In addition, host Texas Tech University had their trombone quartet and choir perform during the conference.

Overall, the conference was a stirring assembly of fine students, performers, and educators.  Many thanks to all who attended, presented, and performed so well, and our principal sponsors:  Greg Black Mouthpieces, Conn-Selmer Corporation, Houghton Horns, Tarpley Music Company, the United States Marines and Iota Tau Alpha, the Trombone Service Fraternity of Texas Tech University.

Next year’s conference is scheduled for January 13^th – 15^th, 2023.  More details will be forthcoming.  Please visit our website, www.big12tromboneconference.com, for updates.

Getzen Instruments welcomes Peter Moore and Isobel Daws to their roster.

Peter Moore, Principal Trombone of the London Symphony Orchestra, joined the list of Getzen International Performing Artists on February 10, 2022. Click here to read the official release.

Isobel Daws, member of the award-winning BONE-AFIDE Trombone Quartet, joined Getzen’s roster on March 9, 2022.  Click here to read the official release.

The TCU School of Music will host the 13th annual TCU Trombone Summit featuring guest artists Alex Iles (Los Angeles Recording Artist), Ian Maser (Principal Trombone, Dallas Opera Orchestra), Eric Swanson (Bass Trombone, Dallas Opera Orchestra), and George Chave (composer).

The event will conclude with a Summit Concert featuring the TCU Trombone Choir with Dr. David Begnoche and guest artist soloists.

Sunday, April 3, 2022
TCU School of Music—PepsiCo Recital Hall
12 noon to 7pm

General Admission: $10

For further information, please contact Dr. David Begnoche, director.

Katy Jones, principal trombone of the Hallé Orchestra in Manchester, Great Britain, recently spent a week teaching and performing in Norway.

During her visit, Katy worked with students at Rud and Ski High School, as well as the Academy of Music in Oslo.

Astrid Nøkleby and Anders Brenli organized the youth workshop. Financial support was provided by Ung Musikk.

For further information, please contact Astrid Nøkleby.

Jack Wilds is writing a new work for trombone octet that will be premiered by the Missouri State University Trombone Ensemble at the 2022 ITF. There are a few spots remaining in the consortium.

The work will be 2-3 minutes in length and is suitable for advanced/collegiate ensembles. Consortium members will pay $50 each and have exclusive rights to perform the work from August 1, 2022 through August 1, 2023.

Jack Wilds is well known for his works for trombone choir. One of his most famous, Leviathan, was written for the Texas State University Trombone Choir in 2013. Gothic Nocturne was premiered by the Texas A&M Kingsville Select Trombone Choir at the 2021 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in December.

For more information about Jack Wilds and his music, please visit his website.

For further questions and information about joining the consortium, please contact Dr. Jason Hausback, Associate Professor at Missouri State.

Trombone Man: Ska’s Fallen Genius is a forthcoming 8-part comic book series about the life and times of Jamaican trombone player Don Drummond.

Don Drummond performed as part of the original 1960s line up of the Skatalites. He is considered one of the pioneers of ska and reggae trombone playing, although he’s not especially well known. In his day, he was declared by Sarah Vaughan as one of the top three players in the world.

Trombone Man: Ska’s Fallen Genius is an independently published venture and will be crowdfunded using the Kickstarter platform. A promotional trailer can be viewed here.

For further information, please contact writer/publisher Adam Reeves.

The Kansas State University School of Music, Theatre, and Dance invites applications for an Instructor of Trombone. This full-time, nine-month term instructor position will start August 7, 2022 and end May 13, 2023 with a competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. Based on performance, this position is eligible to be converted to a renewable, regularized instructor.

Primary responsibilities are to teach applied undergraduate and graduate trombone lessons, studio seminars, coach chamber ensembles, perform with the Kansas State University Faculty Brass Quintet and teach a music history or theory course based on the candidate’s experiences and interests, as well as the instructional needs of the School. In addition to individual efforts to recruit trombone students, the successful candidate will be expected to participate in recruitment activities. Additional duties may be assigned as required, including serving on committees and participating in the life of our performing arts community. Research, scholarship, and creative activities are encouraged and supported by the School as means to stay current in the field and to build the reputation of the program.

For information about minimum qualifications and how to apply, please click here. Review of applications will begin on March 28, 2022 and continue until the position is filled.

For further questions, please contact Dr. Steve Maxwell.

The brass world has recently been included in the list of instruments for which Suzuki training is now available. The next training session, taught by renowned trumpet teacher Ann-Marie Sundberg, is available to trombonists and bass trombonists alike. Training includes both fundamental Suzuki philosophy, as well as how to apply these ideas for young brass players, how to set up a studio, and how to foster a joy of music in young and older children. No prior teaching experience is necessary.

Training is scheduled for June 17-25, 2022, at the International Suzuki String Institute in Draper, Utah. Registration is open at http://www.issisuzuki.org.

Slide Into Spring, Calgary’s Trombone Day, will be held on Sunday, April 3, as part of International Trombone Week. The event is hybrid and allows for in-person, as well as online, participation.

The event will occur at Hope Lutheran Church (3527 Boulton Rd NW, Calgary, AB T2L 1M5) from 6-8 PM. Gareth Jones will conduct the massed trombone choir.

There is no cost to participate. Participants should bring the music, their instrument, and a stand. Music and further information can be found here.

For further information, please email Nathan Gingrich.