Second International Trombone Week a Success

The second annual International Trombone Week (ITW) was held in April with 52 events taking place around the world. Last year, the idea for this week 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 venues; there were fifty two trombone week events including performances and presentations in America, Canada, Greece and England, involving players of all ages and backgrounds.

The majority of events this year were performances by ensembles. Twenty-six student and professional groups performed in venues from churches to bars. Nine professional or faculty recitals were given, in addition to six student recitals. There were three masterclasses presented, and three studio recitals at Indiana University. In addition, Colleen Wheeler, from Wheaton College, once again hosted Internet-based events including masterclasses, a Shires clinic, and concerts which included numerous ensembles and junior high school through professional level performers. These events were supported by RINET, OSHEAN and Internet2; they are available for viewing via the Slide Heard Round the World website.

This year the trombone week coincided with Easter week for the first time, causing some conflicts. Fortunately this will not be a problem again for several years. The dates for next year’s International Trombone Week are April 3rd – 9th 2005.

Each day of the 2004 ITW featured many exciting events. The following is a brief list and description of these events. The report is based on ITW event registration, and any other information provided after the week concluded.

Sunday, April 4

• Trombone Extravaganza organized and conducted by Gordon Cherry at the University of British Columbia featured his trombone ensemble, the group "I Tromboni" and guest soloist John Capon.
• IU Ellefson Studio Recital featured fifteen students of Peter Ellefson at Indiana University. The students performed a wide range of works including jazz standards, unaccompanied pieces, and music for trombone and piano.
• The Central Washington University Trombone Choir performed at the Englewood Christian Church in Ellensburg.
• Billed as The Great American Slide Show Part II, this concert featured professional trombonists from the Philadelphia, York and Lancaster Counties of Pennsylvania, and the Baltimore/Washington DC areas.
• Hiam Avitsur gave a recital at the St. Paul church in New York city, at which he performed seven works with pianist Kyle Adams.
• Andrew Glendening organized a Palm Sunday Trombone Choir at the Swansey Chapel at Denison University, and invited any trombonists to participate.
• The Morehead State University Trombone Quintet, directed by Jeanie Lee performed a variety of works at the First Baptist Church in Morehead, Kentucky.
• Eastern Kentucky University trombone professor Ken Haddix performed a campus recital featuring work by Bolter, White, Filas and Crosby.
• The brass quartet The Brass Factor performed at the Lakeside Community Church in Reno, Nevada. They played works by Bach, Rossi, and Handel.
• Fruhling Posaunen was an event that took place over Internet2 and featured trombone choirs from Penn State and East Carolina Universities as well as Ithaca College and the Eastman School of Music.

Monday, April 5

• Bass Trombonist Randy Hawes, presented a masterclass at the DePaul University School of Music in Chicago.
• Trombone quartet Bones Apart gave a concert at the Chethams School of Music in Manchester, England. The event included the trombone section from the Halle Orchestra.
• Trombonist Jonathan Brummel presented a solo recital in the Ultan Recital Hall on the campus of the University of Minnesota.
• The trombone studio of Carl Lenthe at Indiana University gave a recital consisting of both solo and ensembles works.
• Austinbones, a trombone quartet made up of DMA students at the University of Texas at Austin presented a concert at the Jessen Auditorium on the campus of UT-Austin.
• Brad Edwards organized the USC Spring Trombone Night. Held on the campus of the University of South Carolina, the event featured performances by soloists, quartets, and large ensembles.

Tuesday, April 6

• The The University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory Trombone Ensemble under the direction of JoDee Davis performed in White Hall on the campus of UMKC.
• Bass trombonist Aaron Misenheimer performed a recital at Rowe Hall on the campus of the University of North Carolina-Charlotte
• The ten member Ogden Trombone Choir, as well as students of choir members performed a recital of ensemble music featuring standard repertoire as well as original compositions by Ronald Watkins.
• The University of Wisconsin-Madison trombone ensembles performed an on campus recital featuring a variety of trombone choir literature.
• Trombonists from nine different sites participated in the two Masterclasses presented via videoconferencing over Interenet2. The event was organized by Colleen Wheeler at Wheaton College. Schools participation were Bristol-Warren Public Schools, RI; Brown University, RI; Community College of Rhode Island; Rhode Island College; Scituate Public Schools, MA; University of Texas at Austin, Wichita State University, KS.
• The Del Mar Trombone Concert featured performances by the DMC Trombone Quartet, the DMC Trombone Choir, and students of Eileen Russell.
• Under the direction of Tony Parsons, the London based group Trombonanza performed music from the "London Trombone Sound" album. The event was organized by Edward Solomon and featured the trombone section of the Philharmonia Orchestra and jazz soloist Andrew Flaxman.
• Per Brevig, well known trombonist and conductor, presented a masterclass at Yale University on "The Art of Performing: As a Soloist, and Orchestra Musician and a Chamber Music Artist."

Wednesday, April 7

• Eileen Russell organized the DMC Quartet Concert which featured her trombone quartet performing over the lunch hour in the Del Mar College student center. The event inspired a local writer to compose a poem called "The Truth" which is available by contacting Ms. Russell.
• The four member group Bones Incorporated performed a concert at Trumpets Jazz Club in Montclair New Jersey.
• The Ohio University Trombone Choir, directed by Chris Hayes performed a recital on the OU campus featuring soloist Ken Haddix, and graduate student soloist Keith Blair.
• Arizona State University was the site of the ASU Trombone Studio Concert which featured jazz works including ensembles, solo performances, and tributes to legendary jazz trombonists.
• The ECHO Trombone Quartet gave a concert featuring music from the Renaissance, Baroque and early Classical periods.
• Central Washington University trombone professor Mark Babbitt presented a faculty recital on the CWU campus in Ellensburg featuring the music of Lindberg, David, Guilmant, and Tomasi.
• Trombone Jam at ASU was a session featuring several graduate students from Arizona State in combo and ensemble settings.
• Stephanie Mair, a student at the University of Florida gave her senior recital featuring works of several composers including Bach, Ewazen and Sulek.
• Trombone Recital, live from Mississippi State University, MS via Internet2 videoconferencing. Richard Human, trombone and Wendy Payton, piano. Dr. Human welcomed questions about his program and the trombone in general via email and instant messaging.

Thursday, April 8

• Jazz trombonist and Army Blues member Harry Watters performed with the Francis Marion University Jazz Band under the direction of Craig Alberty.
• Trombone soloist Rick Simerly was hosted at Virginia Commonwealth University by Antonio Garcia. While on campus, Rick gave a series of clinics, masterclasses, and a concert.
• The MOMUS Trombone Quartet performed a concert at the Concert Hall on the campus of Boston University.
• The Indiana University Trombone Choir, directed by Carl Lenthe shared a concert with the IU Trumpet Ensemble, directed by Edmund Cord in the recital hall on the IU campus.
• The UT Trombone Extravaganza was organized by Nathaniel Brickens and held on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin. The event featured jazz soloist Jon Blondell, the group SlideShow, ensembles from Bowie and Round Rock High Schools, and the University of Texas.
• The Trombone Studio of M. Dee Stewart gave a recital featuring solo performances from members of the Stewart studio at Indiana University.
• Arranged by Colleen Wheeler, the Shires Clinic was given over Internet2 and featured Steve Shires discussing modern trombone design with David Schwartz. Participating sites included Wheaton College, MA; Mississippi State University, MS; and Wichita State University, KS.
• Jerosch & Furman Workshop was a series of events including a brass chamber music workshop for Maine high school and middle school students, a concert by the Bates and Bowdoin College brass quintets, and a performance by the Bowdoin College Trombone Quartet and Trombone Choir.

Friday, April 9

• Timothy Francis, a student at Brigham Young University-Idaho, gave his senior recital featuring works of six composers including Handel, Bernstein, and Milhaud. Also featured was tenor Andrew Peck, and pianist Mitchell McKay.
• The Bravura Brass Trio presented a recital at Oklahoma State University. Members are Jeff Missal, trumpet; Lanette Compton, horn; and Paul Compton, trombone.
• Doctoral student Nancy Vogt gave a recital in the Kimball recital hall on the campus of the University of Nebraska.

Saturday, April 10

• Trombonists Chris Smith and Dennis Wilson presented a concert of the music of J.J. Johnson and Kai Winding to a standing room only crowd at the Firefly Club in Ann Arbor Michigan.
• Sebastian Jerosch, tenor trombone, and Anita-Ann Jerosch, bass trombone, performed the Hidas Florida Concerto with the Colby College Wind Ensemble under the direction of Eric Thomas.

I am confident that everyone involved with the 2004 International Trombone Week enjoyed being a part of this special ITA event. Planning should begin soon for 2005 events, and encourage others organize an event as well. ITA is always looking for ways to improve upon this continuing event, and your input and ideas are welcome. Let’s work together to make next year’s the largest Trombone Week yet.