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Welcome - Bio and CV - Teaching - Creative Activities - Recordings and Publications - Service

TEACHING - STUDIO MATERIALS - TROMBONE CHOIR - STUDENT SUCCESS - GUEST ARTISTS

My teaching philosophy can be summed up in two statements...

-Offer the best experience possible.

-Take each student as they are...inspire them and make them a better person, musician and player each and every time they come in the studio.

All of my efforts at the University of Alabama stem from these two thoughts. Each member of the studio participates in weekly lessons, studio class, trombone choir, trombone quartets and orchestral section training.  

For further information on studio policies please refer to the syllabus in the section below or the trombone studio website - www.rollslide.com.

All studio materials and information can be found at our studio website - www.rollslide.com.

Applied Trombone Syllabus
Course of Study
Fundamentals Routine

The University of Alabama Trombone Choir is designed to serve as a pedagogical extension of the Trombone Studio, giving students the opportunity to apply skills learned in lessons to a musical setting. The choir is a very active part of the School of Music at Alabama, performing regular concerts on campus as well as several outreach concerts a year, including performing at UA athletic events. The Trombone Choir has performed at the 2010 Eastern Trombone Workshop in Washington, DC, the 2011 International Trombone Festival in Nashville, TN, the 2013 International Trombone Festival in Columbus, GA and the 2019 American Trombone Workshop in Washington, DC.

The Trombone Choir performs the National Anthem for at least one game in several UA athletic teams including men's and women's basketball, baseball and softball. 

Star Spangled Banner Performance at UA Women’s Softball game

The Crimson Slides is a 5 member jazz trombone ensemble with rhythm section. This ensemble serves as an extension to both the UA Trombone Studio and the UA Jazz Program. The Crimson Slides can be heard each semester on the concert stage and in various venues in Tuscaloosa and the surrounding region.

Examples from the trombone ensembles at Alabama can be viewed on our YouTube Channel.

2018-19

DMA Student Jonathan Houghtling wins second trombone audition with the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra.

DMA Student Jonathan Houghtling has advanced into the semifinals or finals of numerous auditions over the past year including the Alabama Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic and Sarasota.

Senior Taylor Duren named Most Outstanding Music Education Student in the School of Music.

UA Students selected to participate in summer festivals:

Cleveland Trombone Seminar
Matthew Fowler - junior
Michael Gilmore - freshman
Michael Johnson - DMA

Mulcahy Summer Masterclass
Logan Hicks - freshman (participant)

2016-17

DMA student Dan Kolan appointed to the faculty of Andrew College in Cuthbert, GA.

DMA student Arie VandeWaa appointed to the faculty of the University of South Alabama.

Senior David Kidd was selected as a 2017 Alessi Seminar Participant.

Senior David Kidd was selected as a Nashville Symphony Semifinalist.

Senior David Kidd was selected as a 2017 Lewis Van Haney Trombone Competition Finalist.

Senior Cameron Owen performed a week with the New World Symphony in Miami, FL.

Senior Cameron Owen was selected as a finalist for the American Trombone Workshop Bass Trombone Solo Competition.

Senior Cameron Owen was selected as the bass trombonist for the Tanglewood Music Center.

Junior Chris Healy was selected as first alternate for the 2017 International Trombone Association George Roberts Bass Trombone Solo Competition.

Junior Chris Healy was selected for the Participant Class and as a semifinalist for the STS excerpts competition.

2015-16

Junior Cameron Owen was selected as the bass trombonist for the Music Academy of the West.

Junior Cameron Owen was the WINNER of the 2016 Edward Kleinhammer Orchestral Bass Trombone Competition at the International Trombone Festival held at The Juilliard School in June. He also was a Finalist for the George Roberts Bass Trombone Solo Competition.

Junior David Kidd was selected as 1st Alternate for the 2016 Lewis Van Haney Philharmonic Prize Orchestral Tenor Trombone Competition as well as Honorable Mention for the 2016 Robert Marsteller Tenor Trombone Competition.

Junior David Kidd was selected as a finalist for the Texas State Trombone Symposium Conn/Selmer Tenor Trombone Competition.

Juniors David Kidd and Cameron Owen (bass trombone) were selected as finalists for this year's American Trombone Workshop National Solo Competition.

Several UA Trombone Students Participated in Summer Festivals.

InterHarmony International Music Festival
Jeremiah Ward - 2nd year MM Bass Trombone

Cleveland Trombone Seminar
Nick Gilmore - sophomore
Blake Malone - sophomore

National Music Festival
Cameron Owen - junior Bass Trombone

Mulcahy Summer Masterclass
Carter Hanthorn - senior (Participant)
Lucas Kaspar - UATS Graduate
David Kidd - junior (Participant)
Cameron Owen - junior Bass Trombone (Participant)

The Alessi Seminar
David Kidd - junior (Participant)
Cameron Owen - junior Bass Trombone (Participant)
Dr. John Shanks - UATS Graduate

2014-15

Freshman bass trombonist Chris Healy was announced the winner of the 2015 American Trombone Workshop Division 1 Bass Trombone National Solo Competition.

Second year MM student Anthony Darnall was selected as one of 3 finalist for the Big 12 Bach Bass Trombone Solo Competition.

Current DMA student Russell Ballenger has been appointed to the faculty of the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND where he will teach the trombone studio and jazz ensembles.

Recent UATS graduate Dr. John Shanks has been appointed to the faculty at West Texas A&M University.

Recent UATS graduate Dr. Bruce Faske was recently appointed to the faculty at Arkansas State University.

2013-14

MM Bass Trombonist Jeremiah Ward was recently selected as a Participant for the 2014 Cleveland Trombone Seminar.

Five UA students were selected for the Participant Class for the 2014 Southeast Trombone Symposium!
Anthony Darnall (bass) - MM
Kevin Dugat - MM
David Kidd - Freshman
Cameron Owen (bass) - Freshman
Jeremiah Ward (bass) - MM

Freshman David Kidd was named Honorable Mention for the 2014 Gagliardi Tenor Trombone Competition.

Freshman bass trombonist Cameron Owen was named one of 3 finalist for the 2014 George Roberts Bass Trombone Solo Competition.

2012-13

DMA Student Russell Ballenger advanced to the finals for West Point Military Academy Band Audition.

DMA Student John Shanks was selected as a Participant for the 2013 Alessi Seminar.

DMA Student Bruce Faske was selected as a Participant for the 2013 Alessi Seminar.

Sophomore Ben Carrasquillo was selected as a Participant for the 2013 Alessi Seminar.

Sophomore Ben Carrasquillo was selected as a Finalist for International Trombone Association Solo Competition.

Sophomore Ben Carrasquillo attended the National Music Festival.

MM Graduate Lucas Kaspar was appointed Lecturer of Trombone at Muskingum University.

DMA Student Bruce Faske was appointed Adjunct Instructor at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. 

DMA Student John Shanks was announced the Winner of Mississippi Symphony Principal Trombone Audition.

DMA Student John Shanks was appointed to Faculty of Jackson State University.

2011-12

DMA Student Bruce Faske was announced the Winner of UA Concerto Aria Competition.

DMA Student John Shanks was announced the Winner of 2012 Eastern Trombone Workshop National Solo Competition – Division 3, Washington, D.C.

Freshman Ben Carrasquillo was announced the Winner of 2012 Eastern Trombone Workshop National Solo Competition – Division 1, Washington, D.C.

Freshman Ben Carrasquillo was announced as the 2nd Alternate for the  2012 International Trombone Association Trombone Solo Competition.

MM Student Lucas Kapsar was named Honorable Mention for the 2012 International Trombone Association Bass Trombone Solo Competition.

DMA Student John Shanks was a Finalist at the Alabama Symphony Orchestra Second Trombone Audition.

DMA Student John Shanks was Runner Up at the US “President’s Own” Marine Band Audition.

2010-11

DMA Student Bruce Faske was announced the winner of the second trombone audition for the Starkville Symphony.

DMA Student John Shanks was named a finalist for the 2011 Eastern Trombone Workshop National Solo Competition.

Freshman Chris Davis was named a Finalist in the 2011 International Trombone Association George Roberts Bass Trombone Solo Competition.

Freshman Roni Garayanala was named a finalist in the 2011 International Trombone Association Gilberto Gagliardi Trombone Solo Competition.

MM Student Lucas Kapsar was named Honorable Mention in the 2011 International Trombone Association Frank Smith Trombone Solo Competition.

DMA Student John Shanks was selected as a Fellow for the 2011 Alessi Seminar.

DMA Student Bruce Faske was selected as a Participant for the 2011 Alessi Seminar.

2009-10

UA Trombone Choir Performs at 2010 Eastern Trombone Workshop in Washington , D.C.

2013 Alessi Seminar
2011 Alessi Seminar
Joseph Alessi
John Allred
Boston Symphony Orchestra Low Brass Section
Chris Branagan
Josh Bynum
Ray Conklin
George Curran
Mike Dugan
Tim Dugan
Peter Ellefson
David Finlayson
Sim Flora
Luis Fred
Randy Hawes
Brian Hecht
Henry Henniger
Tim Higgins
Alex Iles
Steve Lange
James Markey
Andy Martin
Martin McCain
Ben McIlwain
Craig Mulcahy
Michael Mulcahy
Music City Trombone Duo
James Nova
Toby Oft
Gerry Pagano
Brad Palmer
Brent Phillips
Denson Paul Pollard
Leo Rodriguez
Deb Scott
Patrick Sheridan
Jim Stephenson
"The President's Own" US Marine Band Trombone Quartet
The United State Army Field Band Trombone Ensemble
West Point Military Band Trombone Quartet
Doug Wright