The Big 12 Trombone Conference
The Twenty Third Annual Big 12 Area Trombone Conference took place January 16th – 18th at Texas Tech University. The Conference’s Featured Guest Artist was International Jazz and Film Sensation Andy Martin.
The feature performance was creative, energetic, and inspiring. Andy performed with the Texas Tech Jazz Orchestra. There were many great interactions between Andy and the ensemble, with the concert adorned by numerous amazing solos both by Andy and the Jazz Orchestra Members. Audience Members enjoyed sensational performances by the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley Trombone Choir and the Lamont Trombone Quartet from the University of Denver. Highlights of the conference included the Big 12 Tenor Trombone Solo Competition, the Big 12 Bass Trombone Solo Competition, an exciting faculty showcase recital, great choir performances and several inspiring clinics and presentations.
The winners
The Solo Competitions finalists represented the University of Texas at El Paso, University of Texas at Austin, DePaul University, University of Alabama, University of Central Arkansas, and Oklahoma State University. After prolonged deliberations from our adjudicators, the winners were:
Big 12/Bach Bass Trombone Solo Competition: Agustin Jaime Martinez Jr, DePaul University
Big 12 Tenor Trombone Solo Competition: Ross Ganske, University of Texas at Austin.
Congratulations to all finalists and their professors.
Guest Performers and Expert Clinicians
Featured performers and clinicians included Frankie Harrison, most recently from Missouri State University, New Mexico Educator Roger Kemp, Professor Emeritus from New Mexico State University Dr. Allan Kaplan, ISSA Certified Personal Trainer Riche Kahle, Dr. Dr. Juan Saldivar of Texas A&M University – Kingsville, Dr. Michael Martinez of Southwestern University, Dr. Justin Cook of the University of Oklahoma, Dr. Jonathan Allen of the University of Iowa, Spencer Hudson of the Baton Rouge Symphony, Dr. Rai Morales of Texas A&M Corpus Christi, Lucas Kaspar of Arkansas State University, Ben Hahn of West Texas A&M, Dr. Zachariah Davis of Texas Woman’s University, Alex Theiss of the New School, Dr. Dan Hinman of Kansas State
University, Mark Rheaume of the University of Iowa, Brent Mead of MidAmerica Nazarene University, Richard Harris of the University of Denver, SgA Sebastian Bell of USAF Heritage of America Band, and Dasa Silhova of Texas Tech University. Attendees thoroughly enjoyed the performances and presentations by these well-renowned educators.
Congratulations to the University of Texas Rio Grande Trombone Choir, the University of Oklahoma Trombone Choir, the University of Denver Undergraduate Trombone Quartet, the Border Bones, the West Texas A&M University Trombone Choir, the Pebble Hills High School Trombone Quartet, the Arkansas State University Trombone Choir, the Americas High School Trombone Choir, the Texas A&M Corpus Christi Trombone Choir, the FORGE Trombone Quartet, and the Flatlands Low Brass for their exciting ensemble performances. In addition, host Texas Tech University had their “ Red Raider Collective” Trombone 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: BAC Instruments, Houghton Horns, Tarpley Music Company, Mark Rheaume Music, and Iota Tau Alpha, the Trombone Service Fraternity of Texas Tech University.
Next year’s conference is scheduled for January 15th – 17th, 2027. Details will be forthcoming. Please visit the conference website for updates.
Article written by Jim Decker, Associate Professor of Trombone, Texas Tech University.