This past April, a new and important trombone activity was initiated with the celebration of the first International Trombone Week. The idea came as a challenge from ITA president Nathaniel Brickens to find a way to foster a new appreciation for the trombone. The goal was to increase the awareness of our instrument through a variety of activities during the first full week in April. It was hoped that activities would take place around the world in many different venues, and we were not disappointed. There were trombone week events in nine countries involving players of all ages and backgrounds.

The ad hoc committee of Chris Hayes, John Drew, Brian Brink and Brad Edwards, were charged with spreading the word and facilitating this new event. They were assisted by Steve Greenall, Josh Brown, and Vern Kagarice, whose help was invaluable. Henry Kavett also assisted by volunteering time and expertise to set up several events for TV, which would have involved professional players on the East Coast. Unfortunately, these events were superceded by war coverage. Henry has already pledged to help again next year, and we appreciate all he has done.

Although planning did not begin until October with publicity appearing first in December, the response was terrific. It was clear from the beginning that trombonists would embrace this new concept. In fact, almost seventy events were hosted during the week. These ranged from solo recitals to ensemble concerts, as well as trombone festivals and masterclasses.

Twenty events featured trombonists as soloists, both with piano and ensembles. These included six student recitals, two faculty recitals, four concerto performances with ensembles, and several professional or amateur performances. The week also had twenty-six large ensemble concerts given by high school, college, amateur and professional ensembles, which were presented in venues such as concert halls, schools, parks and a nursing home. Eight small ensembles performed featuring notable players such as Jiggs Whigham and Ron Barron. Also, six festivals or trombone days were held in the U.S., Canada, and France. Seven other events were held, including masterclasses, compilation concerts, one featuring TROMBONLY, Mike Svoboda and Albert Mangelsdorff, and even a wedding. In addition, an event was held at Wheaton College that involved use of video technology that made it possible for the proceedings to be seen at other sites.

Events

The following is a listing of events submitted to the ITW web-site:

• Large Ensemble Concerts
• Die Posaunisten, Offenburg, Germany
• Bixby H.S. Trombone Choir Concert, Sapulpa, OK
• Duncanville Trombone Concert, Duncanville, TX
• " Instant Replay" Big Band Bones, Union City, TN
• Trombones at Tech, Cookeville, TN
• University of Texas-Austin Jazz Bones Concert, Austin, TX
• Ohio University Trombone Choir, Athens, OH
• Indiana University of Pennsylvania Trombone Choir Concert, Indiana, PA
• Western Michigan University Trombone Choir Concert, Kalamazoo, MI
• Trombones in Parks, Barking Ridge, NJ
• James Madison University Trombone Choir Concert, Harrisonburg, VA
• Wooster Trombone Choir Concert, Wooster, OH
• Randy Hawes with Michigan Trombone Ensemble, Ann Arbor, MI
• Murray Concert Band, Murray, UT
• Royal Northern College & Chethams School of Music Trombone Choirs, Manchester, UK
• Massed Blow, West Yorkshire, UK
• Trombones Everywhere, Coral Springs, FL
• Memphis Trombone Choir, Memphis, TN
• Skin-N-Bones Concert, Lakeland, FL
• Central Washington University Trombone Choir, Society of composers conference, Ellensburg, WA
• New Orleans Trombone Choir, New Orleans, LA
• Ogden Trombone Choir Concert, Ogden, UT
• Vancouver Trombone Extravaganza, Vancouver, British Columbia
• 1er Encuentro de Trombonistas, Puerto Rico
• Finland Trombone Concert, Joensuu Concervatory, Finland

Small Ensemble Concerts

• Jiggs Whigham w/ BBC Big Band, Radio Broadcast
• Mississippi State University Quadra Bones Spring Tour, Mississippi Tour
• The Bone Experience Trombone Quartet, Indiana, PA
• Wonderful Brass World, Colorado Springs, CO
• The River Cities Sliders, Bossier City, LA
• SlideShow Concert with Ron Barron, Coppell, TX
• Bonedisorder Recital, Chicago, IL
• Police Orchester Concert, Hamburg, Germany

Solo Recitals/Soloists

• Jason Robins Senior Recital, DeLand, FL
• Peter Vivona Faculty Recital, Flagstaff, AZ
• Deb Scott Performing Gorb's Downtown Diversions, Nacogdoches, TX
• Andrew Lankford Recital, Harrisonburg, VA
• Tate Addis Trombone Recital, Wichita, KS
• Dennison Paul Pollard Bass Trombone Recital, Hong Kong
• George Braman Bass Trombone Recital, Austin, TX
• Jemmie Robertson Performing Bourgeois, Bristol, CT
• Jason Daly Junior Recital, Columbus, OH
• Jay Evans Recital, Birmingham, AL
• Dyne Eifertsen Concerto Performance, Rocklin, CA
• Mark Kellogg Performing Tyzik Concerto, Rochester, NY
• Jonathan Krones Senior Recital, Ijamsville, MD
• Dale Sorensen & Bob Nicholson Recital, Charlottetown, PEI, Canada
• Toby Leonard Senior Recital, Boise, ID
• Darin Cash Trombone Recital, Austin, TX
• Dan Hubert Recital, Chicago, IL
• Faustino Nuoez Perez Recital, Pamplona, Spain
• Matteo De Luca Recital, Sedriano, Italy
• Tribute to J.J. Johnson & Kai Winding, Martinsville, VA

Other Events

• Ron Barron Masterclass, Commerce, TX
• Jason Akai Wedding, Oak Lawn, IL
• Grove City College Student Recitals, Grove City, PA
• Trombone Clinic, Ford City, PA
• Duet No. 1 Amsdentian, written for ITW, Roanoke, TX
• The Slide Heard 'Round the World, Norton, MA
• All Trombone or What - From Jericho to JJ Johnson, Detmold, Germany

Festivals

• Trombone Festival, University of Calgary
• Leon Brown Trombone Day, University of North Texas
• Iowa Trombone Day 2003, Des Moines, IA
• West Virginia University Trombone Festival, Morgantown, WV
• A Brass Moment, Nevers, France
• Mercer County Trombone Day, Grove City, PA
• Donald Knaub Trombone Extravaganza, Austin, TX

Other artistic contributions were made in the name of the International Trombone Week. Three works were written and made available for the event, including Brad Edwards' Bone Week Fanfare I and Nick Adams' It Is Well With My Soul, both of which are available on the ITA web site. A duet was also composed, Duet No. 1 Amsdentian by Sandy Barrows and can be downloaded at www.sandybarrows.net.

Looking to the future

As successful as this first International Trombone Week was, the committee will continue to work to spread the word, and have set a goal of over 200 events for next year. The hope is that there will be even more diversity in the types of performances, in addition to increased publicity. The dates for next year's ITW are APRIL 4-10, 2004. If you have thoughts or suggestions for next year, please let us know. Everyone involved in planning and performing this year had a wonderful experience, so spread the word and help to make next year the biggest trombone year ever.