Biography
B.M.Ed, Evangel University
M.M., North Texas State University
D.M.A., University of North TexasDr. Steve Wolfinbarger is a Professor of Music at Western Michigan University, where he teaches trombone and conducting and is Chair of the School of Music’s Brass and Percussion Area. He earned the Bachelor of Music Education degree from Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri, and the Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in trombone performance from the University of North Texas.
Professor Wolfinbarger has appeared as a guest soloist or clinician at numerous regional, national and international conferences, including the Midwest Trombone Workshop, National Fine Arts Festival, Midwestern Music Conference, the Arizona Low Brass Symposium, several Brazilian National Trombone Symposiums, and the Latin America Trombone Symposium. He has also been featured as a guest performer or clinician at major music conservatories in The Netherlands, Finland, Mexico, and in the United States at the Chautauqua Institute, The Eastman School of Music, and at more than 25 colleges and universities. As a member of the Western Brass Quintet, he has performed in Canada, Germany, Russia, and The Peoples Republic of China. He has also performed as an extra with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and with the Springfield (Missouri) and Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestras. Professor Wolfinbarger hosted and organized the 1990 International Trombone Workshop, which was held at Western Michigan University.
Prior to his appointment at WMU, Professor Wolfinbarger was Assistant Professor of Music at McNeese State University. A former President of the International Trombone Association, he served as the Director of the International Trombone Festival from 1992 to 2001 and Chair of the International Trombone Festival Site Selection Committee. He has also published articles in the International Trombone Association Journal. Professor Wolfinbarger served on a steering committee of seven master teachers to develop a national trombone pedagogy workshop for public school music teachers in an effort to increase the quality and quantity of trombone students in the United States. He was also the subject of a feature article in a recent Director Magazine, published by United Musical Instruments.
Students in his studio have competed successfully in many important competitions. Three former students have won competitions sponsored by the International Trombone Association, and many others have been selected as finalists, including six of the last seven years. WMU trombone students have also been selected as semifinalists or finalists in the Eastern Trombone Workshop's National Solo Competition the past four years, including one winner in 2008. Yet another student was selected as a winner in the Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition in 2008. In addition, WMU trombonist students have been selected as finalists in solo competitions sponsored by the Music Club of Detroit and the Minnesota Orchestra's Steve Zellmer Orchestral Excerpt Competition. Many former students are now teaching in colleges and universities across the United States, while others are now successful music educators.
Contact Information:
Steve Wolfinbarger
School of Music
Western Michigan University
1903 W. Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5434
Send e-mail to Steve Wolfinbarger
269 387-4699
Last Revised: May 18, 2008