Welcome to the homepage for the Western Michigan University trombone studio. This site provides information to current WMU trombone students, as well as those who are interested in auditioning.Recent Updates:
Resources (Updated 8/5/08)
Alumni News (Updated 7/29/08)
Meet the Studio (Updated 7/9/08)
Major Web Site Updates Now Available
New trombone choir audio clips from the spring 2008 semester are now posted on the web site. In addition, more clips from the April concert will soon be added, so check back. Also, the gallery is now easier to navigate and includes many new photos.Recent Studio News
CONGRATULATIONS to freshman trombone performance major Hana Beloglavec for being selected as a winner in the prestigious Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition. She will now receive an all-expense paid trip in June to compete against the other seven winners for a grand prize worth $5,000. See article.
The trombone studio is a select group of no more than 16-18 students, two of whom are graduate students. Trombonists major in a variety of fields, such as music performance, music education, and music therapy. All music majors study with the trombone professor rather than a graduate student.
Students in the trombone studio are provided with numerous opportunities for growth. Internationally-known guest artists frequent the studio, presenting recitals, clinics or master classes each year. Many trombone students successfully compete at major competitions. In fact, on seven different occasions over the past four years WMU trombone students have been chosen as award winners, finalists or honorable mention selections in student competitions sponsored by the International Trombone Association, the Eastern Trombone Workshop, the Music Club of Detroit, or with the National Orchestral Institute.
The WMU Trombone Choir is an outstanding ensemble which was recognized in 2005 by Downbeat Magazine with a Downbeat Award as the outstanding chamber ensemble. Trombone students also usually take a yearly field trip to hear a performance by either the Chicago Symphony Orchestra or the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Various School of Music ensembles, including the University Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Band, and the Jazz Orchestra tour both nationally and internationally. Recent trips by these ensembles to places like Australia, China, Brazil, and New York City have furthered their exposure. Chamber music is stressed in the School of Music, and brass ensembles frequently receive faculty guidance.
Dalton Center is an outstanding music building, with excellent performance, practice, library, and computer facilities. It includes two recital halls, a multi-track digital recording studio, an electronic music laboratory, a 10,000 square foot music library, and state-of-the-art multi-media room, and music therapy clinic, a computer laboratory featuring a special MIDI station and Macintosh PowerPC computers (each equipped with a Yamaha synthesizer and a Roland sound module), and one of the world’s largest installations of pre-fabricated, sound-isolated practice rooms and teaching studios.
Located just 2 ½ hours from both Chicago and Detroit, Western Michigan University is in the center of the Midwestern musical scene, making it an inspirational and ideal place to study music. With nearly 26,000 students, Western is listed among the top 100 public universities in the country. If you intend to study at an outstanding university with a superb music program, I hope you will consider Western Michigan University.
Please feel free to look around. And if you have any questions, we'd love to hear from you!
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: October 28, 2006