2025 Student and Community Ensembles

A showcase for trombone ensembles from around the world

Selection Committee:

Dr. Karen Marston, Director, ITF; Mt San Antonio College
Dr. Justin Cook, Manager, ITF; University of Central Arkansas
Dr. Christopher Van Hof, Assistant Manager, ITF; Ball State University
Dr. Hana Beloglavec, Florida State University

Chosen through a competitive audition process, the International Trombone Festival proudly presents s diverse roster of student and community trombone choirs in mainstage concerts during the festival. These exceptional ensembles represent top collegiate, community, and university programs from around the globe. Throughout the year, they dedicate themselves to preparing dynamic and engaging programs for ITF audiences. Expect to hear a mix of traditional trombone choir favorites, new compositions, solo performances, innovative techniques, and much more from these talented groups!

University of Colorado Boulder Trombone Octet, Dr. Sterling Tanner, Director

  • The CU Boulder Trombone Octet, consisting of talented undergraduate and graduate students, is eager to perform at the 2025 International Trombone Festival. This event would be a remarkable opportunity for our students to showcase their skills and engage with the broader trombone community. Our students participate in a robust program that includes weekly private lessons, trombone studio classes, and trombone ensemble rehearsals. This foundation is enriched by frequent guest recitals and masterclasses from renowned trombonists such as Joseph Alessi, Ian Bousfield, Colorado native Craig Mulcahy, John Rojak, and soloist Christian Lindberg.

    Our students' passion for performing and their commitment to advancing their craft is at the heart of our program, and we are excited about the possibility of sharing this enthusiasm with festival attendees. Performing at the International Trombone Festival would highlight our studio's strengths and foster meaningful connections with other musicians in the global trombone community.

  • Dr. Sterling Tanner currently serves as the Assistant Professor of Trombone at the University of Colorado Boulder and Director of the CU Boulder Trombone Octet.

    An S.E. Shires Performing Artist, Sterling Tanner has appeared as a soloist throughout the United States and abroad, including performances in Hong Kong and Valencia, Spain. Sterling Tanner was named the winner of the 2016 and 2018 American Trombone Workshop Division III Bass Trombone Solo Competition and the 2015 Southeastern Trombone Symposium S.E. Shires Solo Competition. Sterling Tanner frequently performs with the Boulder Philharmonic, Boulder Chamber Orchestra, Colorado Symphony, Colorado Springs Philharmonic, Richmond Symphony, and Opera Colorado.

    A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Sterling Tanner earned his bachelor’s in music education from Columbus State University. He holds MM and DMA degrees in trombone performance from the University of Texas at Austin.

Ithaca College Trombone Troupe, Will Porter, Director

  • The Ithaca College Trombone Troupe has been a Student Government Association Club since 1982. The alliterative name of the ensemble was coined by then Assistant Professor of Trombone, Dr. Paul Hunt. Although Tom Everett (’65) has noted that a trombone choir was formed during his student days at IC in the 60’s called the Finger Lakes Trombone Choir, it apparently had no official connection with the College, some members being non-students from the area. Nonetheless, it appears there is historical evidence of a trombone ensemble in existence at Ithaca College for over forty years. “The Troupe” is the most active instrumental chamber ensemble in the School of Music. In addition to its two major recitals each year on campus, the group gives concerts and conducts clinics in a number of public schools each semester throughout New York and the New England area. The ensemble has performed at numerous local, state, national, and international conferences and workshops since 1989. These include six New York State School Music Association Winter Conferences, six Eastern Trombone Workshops in Washington, D.C., as well as the International Trombone Workshop in Boulder, Colorado and the International Trombone Festival in Ithaca in June of 2004, and most recently at the American Trombone Workshop in 2023.

  • In recent years, composers from a broader range of backgrounds have increasingly been commissioned to write new works for trombone ensemble, starting the work of addressing historical imbalances. However, many works are beyond the range and technical ability of undergraduate-only ensembles, leaving fewer choices for trombone ensembles who can't rely on graduate-level trombonists to play the most challenging parts. In seeking to increase the number and variety of works by composers from historically under-represented groups available to program for undergraduate-only trombone ensembles, the Ithaca College Trombone Troupe undertook a proactive approach by commissioning four new works by non-male composers. These works are written with the range and technical abilities of an undergraduate-only ensemble in mind, though of course can be performed by any level of ensemble. This is a student-led project; the members of the Ithaca College Trombone Troupe have taken the lead on all stages of the commissioning process. It is hoped that these new works will contribute meaningfully to helping shape the future direction of trombone ensemble music, broadening the variety and accessibility of the repertoire, and continuing the work already started by others of achieving greater representation and inclusivity in the trombone community.

UTRGV Trombone Choir, Dr. Pedro Martinez, Director

  • The UTRGV Trombone Choir seeks to perform traditional and new music. For ITF 2025, the UTRGV Trombone Choir is eager to perform works by Jack Wilds, Max Richter, James Naigus, and others.

    We hope you enjoy our rendition of these four pieces. Thank you for attending the UTRGV Trombone Choir’s performance at ITF 2025.

  • The UTRGV Trombone Choir proudly represents the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, in south Texas. The ensemble is under the direction of Dr. Pedro Martinez, Professor of Trombone.

    The ensemble enjoys performing at events and conferences at the local, state, national, and international levels. Some of the ensemble’s most recent performances (from 2024), include the Big 12 Trombone Conference in Lubbock, TX in January 2024, the Tourbon Trombone Festival in Santiago, Chile in January of 2024, and the International Trombone Festival in Fort Worth Texas in June 2024.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania Trombone Choir, Dr. Jeremiah Umholtz, Director

  • The Indiana University of Pennsylvania Trombone Choir was formed by Richard Thorell, a student of Emory Remington, in 1966. Prior to 1966, trombone was taught by David McNaughton, Robert Wigness and Peter Popiel, but there was no trombone choir. Christian Dickinson, a student of William Cramer, joined the IUP faculty in 1985 and continued Thorell's legacy of the ensemble until 2021. Kevin McManus continued the legacy of the ensemble at IUP from 2021 to 2022, and Jeremiah Umholtz arrived in 2022 as the present instructor. The ensemble exists traditional trombone choir and one consisting of select students. Both ensembles encourage the study of both traditional and modern, diverse repertoire, representative of a variety of composers. The IUP Trombone Choir recently performed at the 2025 Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Annual Conference. Umholtz holds degrees from University of North Texas, Ohio University and Indiana University of Pennsylvania. His primary teachers are Tony Baker, Lucas Borges, Christian Dickinson, Natalie Mannix and Steve Menard.

The Ohio State University Trombone Choir, Elisabeth Shafer, Director

  • The Ohio State Trombone Choir is a dynamic ensemble made up of undergraduate and graduate students from the School of Music at The Ohio State University. Under the direction of Dr. Elisabeth Shafer, the ensemble explores a wide-ranging repertoire, from classical masterworks to contemporary compositions. Known for its rich, resonant sound and musical versatility, the Ohio State Trombone Choir regularly performs in university concerts, regional festivals, and special events. The ensemble is dedicated to fostering the artistic and community growth of its members while showcasing the power and beauty of the trombone. Through collaborative projects and guest artist residencies, the Ohio State Trombone Choir continues to inspire audiences and uphold the Buckeye tradition of musical excellence.

  • The Ohio State University Trombone Ensemble proudly presents an inspiring concert featuring original compositions and arrangements created by our very own students. “Scarlet Sounds” celebrates the creativity, innovation, and musical talent of OSU's emerging composers and arrangers. Each piece on the program reflects the unique voice of its composer, offering a new take on the expressive power of the trombone. Join us for an unforgettable concert of new music.

Central Michigan University Trombone Octet, Dr. Cole Bartels, Director

  • Under the direction of Dr. Cole Bartels, the Central Michigan University Trombone Octet is a select group that features the finest undergraduate musicians from the CMU Trombone Studio seeking degrees in Performance and Music Education. Acting as a subset of the larger CMU Trombone Choir which is typically 16-20 players strong, the Octet affords select students the opportunity to play more advanced repertoire. Prior to Dr. Bartels joining the faculty at CMU in 2023, the ensemble enjoyed 31 years of direction under Dr. Robert Lindahl. Initially formed as the CMU Trombone Ensemble focusing mainly on jazz music under Professor William H. Rivard, the ensemble gave their first documented performance in 1971 with Urbie Green as the featured guest artist.

  • Our concert titled “Music of the Mitten” showcases music from composers currently based in Michigan, including several pieces written specifically for the Central Michigan University Trombone Octet. Selected composers include Dr. Jay C. Batzner (Professor of Composition and Technology at CMU), David Biedenbender (Associate Professor of Composition at Michigan State University and CMU alum), Catherine McMichael (based in Saginaw, MI), and Zoe Cutler (based in Detroit, MI).

Cuarteto Xibalba

  • The Xibalba Quartet is a student ensemble with 3 years of experience that has performed on multiple stages within renowned schools and festivals.

Fresno State Dog Bones, Dr. Russ Zokaites, Director

  • the Fresno State Dog Bones will curate a program featuring works studied during the 2024-2025 school year. Our curriculum regularly includes premieres of commissioned pieces by both professional composers and students, along with a diverse mix of genre selections and guest soloists. Recent repertoire highlights are listed below. We anticipate that the ITF recital will include at least one of the three premieres from this fall, and if time permits, we hope to feature Sérgio Simões as a guest artist.

  • The Fresno State Trombone Choir, part of California State University, Fresno, gained prominence under Dr. Larry Sutherland's leadership from 1969 to 2006. A dedicated educator, Dr. Sutherland taught trombone and euphonium and directed the wind ensemble. His students, including notable alumni Tom Ashworth and Jay Crone, have continued his legacy as accomplished performers and educators.

    The choir's repertoire includes a mix of classical and contemporary works, and it actively engages in performances and educational outreach, enriching the cultural landscape of the university and surrounding community. Today, the Fresno State Trombone Choir remains a vital part of the music program, inspiring new generations of musicians.

    The Fresno State Trombone Choir was rebranded as the Fresno State Dog Bones in the fall of 2024. Actively performing at ceremonies and concerts on campus, the choir serves as a vital part of our community, composed of trombone music majors and students from across the university. As one of the leading institutions in promoting higher education for first-generation college students, 64% of the student body at Fresno State University identifies as first-generation college students. We believe that opportunities such as performances at the International Trombone Festival will significantly enrich the educational experience for our students while celebrating diversity of our trombone community at an international level. The Dog Bones choir fosters deeper connections with guest artists, alumni, and local professionals. In the past, the choir has accompanied renowned musicians like Kyle Gordon and Sérgio Simões. This year, we are excited to premiere works by alumnus and film music arranger Jeff Atmajian, recent guest artist Alan Ferber, and Air Force band member William Timmons.

University of Delaware Trombone Choir, Dr. Bruce Tychinski, Director

  • The University of Delaware Trombone Choir was founded in 2010.  In addition to regular performances on campus, the ensemble has performed in the Newark community and in nearby states. In 2014, the ensemble was one of only a dozen invited to perform at the 2014 International Trombone Festival in Rochester, NY and made its first appearance at the American Trombone Workshop, Washington D.C. in 2017 and performed again in 2023.  The choir can also be heard at the annual Delaware Trombone Day, often accompanying well-known guest artists such as Joe Alessi, Peter Steiner, Bill Reichenbach, Tom “Bones” Malone, Jessica Buzbee and many others.  Under the direction of Dr. Bruce Tychinski and graduate assistants, the group is comprised of music majors, minors, and non-majors who meet once per week. Repertoire includes original works and transcriptions spanning several centuries but an emphasis on new compositions and arrangements is always present. The ensemble has commissioned and premiered works by Frank Gulino, Daniel Morrison, Ryan Meredith, and Anthony O'Toole as well as arrangements by students in the ensemble.

University of Florida Trombone Ensemble, Dr. Jemmie Robertson, Director

  • The UF Trombone Ensemble proposes to perform new and recent works commissioned for trombone ensemble. The 21 member UF Trombone Ensemble is directed by Dr. Jemmie Robertson, Associate Professor of Trombone at the University of Florida, with assistance from DMA trombone students Carli Castillon, Ethan Spencer, Corey Burton, Jason Donnnelly, and DMA conducting student Colby Vasquez. Our proposed ITF 2025 program will feature soloists from within the ensemble and the ensemble also aspires to collaborate with a notable festival artist who will also be attending event in London, Ontario in July 2025. Potential works include the ITF premiere of the tenor trombone solo version of Adrienne Albert’s Moment to Moment, Steve Wiest’s Athenian Gingko, Adrienne Albert’s Gracious Gifts, Strauss’s Vienna Philharmonic Fanfare arranged by trombonist Ross Holcombe, and the world premiere of an untitled, newly commissioned trombone ensemble work by award-winning composer Jane K (Evgeniya Kozhevnikova) whose recent trombone chamber works have been featured at the International Trombone Festival (2024), Brazilian Trombone Festival (2024), and Trombonanza (Santa Fe, Argentina, 2023).

    The UF Trombone Ensemble champions new music and consists of members of the University of Florida Trombone Studio who are currently pursuing degrees at the undergraduate, graduate and doctoral levels in music and in music in combination with a variety of other disciplines. The ensemble champions diverse repertoire and seeks to add to the genre by commissioning, composing, and arranging exciting new works. The UF Trombone Ensemble has recently performed at Winter Slides at UF (2024), International Trombone Festival (2021), American Trombone Workshop (2020), Florida International Brass Festival and Conference (2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2025), Big Twelve Trombone Conference (2021, Virtual), and at various University of Florida campus and community events in Gainesville, Florida. The studio hosts an annual UF Trombone Day and we invite you to join us for upcoming events. The ensemble is directed by Dr. Jemmie Robertson, Associate Professor of Trombone at the University of Florida, with assistance from DMA trombone students Carli Castillon, Ethan Spencer, Corey Burton, Jason Donnnelly, and DMA conducting student Colby Vasquez. The full roster of the ensemble is:

    Kevin Andrew, Corey Burton, Carli Castillon, Brayden Cheek, Alexandra Gerohristodoulos, Gabe Henry, Amar Janmeja, Taylor Klonowski, Kang Muscatello, Liam O'Neill, Roberto Saravia, Ethan Spencer, David Spiegelman, Lucas Velis, Tenor Trombones and Leon Dalgleish, Jason Donnelly, Nora Doyle, Logan Hopper, Mark Johnson, Colby Vasquez, Bass Trombones

    For more information about degrees offered, admission information, faculty, the trombone studio, trombone day, and upcoming events please visit: https://arts.ufl.edu/academics/music/programs/brass/

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Bone Yard of Brass, Patrick C. Sullivan, Director

  • BYOB – Bone Yard of Brass is a brass band with a modern New Orleans rock/funk/pop/latin/jazz style that is based in Huntsville, Alabama. We are comprised of drumset, helicon, and a bunch of trombones! I mean…what doesn’t scream party when there are a bunch of trombones?

    BYOB has had a few versions since it's first performance in 2021 as the Rocket City Super Bones. We tried to have trumpets and saxophones in the ensemble. But, it always came back to the best version of ourselves as a trombone band. Over the years we have performed many parades, private parties, jazz festivals, Mardi Gras events, and a few of Huntsville's great festivals such as Porchfest, the ACA Jazz Festival, and Music Over Downtown.

Texas Tech Trombone Choir, The Red Raider Collective, James T. Decker, Director

  • The Texas Tech University Trombone Choir will perform at the 2024 International Trombone Festival, a program comprised of works by new and underrepresented composers and standard repertoire. We are prepared to perform diverse contemporary works which display exceptional musicianship and evoke a sense of awe for the audience and the performers.

    The TTU Trombone Choir was founded by TTU Professor of Trombone Emeritus Robert Deahl and has been an active performing ensemble for over 40 years. The Choir was one of the very first university trombone choirs established in the U.S. and is one of three choirs established in the southwest after Duquesne University and the Eastman Trombone Choir.

  • The Tech Trombone Choir includes music majors, non-majors, faculty, alumni and members of the Lubbock community.

    Texas Tech University performances have included 45 years performing at the annual Carol of Lights ceremony and three to four concerts on campus.

    Regionally the choir has performed at the Texas Music Educators Music Association Convention, the University of North Texas Trombone Symposiums, the Texas Trombone Symposium, the Big 12 Area Universities Trombone Conference and at many universities, schools and churches.

    The Texas Tech Trombone Choir has performed multiple times at the International Trombone Festival and has been a featured performer at the Eastern Trombone Workshop in Washington D.C.