Performance of the George Walker Concerto

Hailed by The Boston Musical Intelligencer as "outstanding" and "fearless," Dr. Elisabeth Shafer, a native of State College, PA, is a dedicated performer and music educator. She has appeared in concert with orchestras and ensembles, including the ProMusica Columbus, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Akron Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings, Michigan Opera Theatre Orchestra, Erie Philharmonic, Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, The Jackson Symphony, and CityMusic Cleveland Chamber Orchestra. Dr. Shafer is the acting core member of Seraph Brass, and she has been a featured soloist with The Ohio State University Wind Symphony, Seraph Brass, The University of Akron Symphonic and Concert Bands, and The University of Akron Symphony Orchestra. She has presented solo and chamber performances at the American Trombone Workshop, the International Trombone Festival, and the International Women's Brass Conference, including a presentation titled "Songs She Wrote: A Joint Recital of Works by Women Composers” highlighting the works of women composers.

Mourning Dove (2023)

My first foray into composing was when I wrote etudes for my method book, Trombone Unlimited. While I was happy with those results I wouldn’t have considered myself capable of composing an actual piece with piano, meant to be performed. It was when Summer Atteberry and Carli Castillon, students at University of Florida had the idea to commission a piece from me and their teacher Dr. Jemmie Robertson approached me that I first considered actually composing. It was an important reminder to stay open to accepting new challenges and opportunities, especially those that are unexpected and outside our comfort zones. My sincere thanks go to Summer, Carli, Jemmie, and all the members of the commissioning consortium, whose interest and support helped bolster in trying moments the belief that I could do this! Mourning Dove for Trombone and Piano was inspired by an incident I witnessed in our backyard. One day, an adorable baby mourning dove who was too young to fly fell into our backyard. I thought he would surely die, but the mother dove showed up and sat beside him for three days, even through a storm. After three days, they both flew away. This piece is about the struggle, perseverance, hope, love, encouragement, and final victory that I saw in the mom/baby dove duo. I hope you enjoy it.

July, 2023 Megumi Kanda

El Fénix Ascenderá

We premiered this piece El Fénix Ascenderá for Trombone Choir, Percussion and Trombone Quartet as soloists and it was commissioned for the TCU Trombone Choir Ensemble and our group as the soloists by Kevin Day.

The PR Trombone Ensemble was founded on September 2014. It is a group composed by four trombone players and percussion which perform a wide range of repertoire with unique sonorities and styles. The core members of the ensemble are Randy Roman, Julio Peña, Raymond Flores and Jerry Rivas. This group of musicians and friends decided to create a quartet with a new musical perspective, a trombone ensemble focused on promoting the rich and diverse cultures of Latin-American music.

Selections from the album, Singularity: Kevin Jones, Associate Professor of Jazz Trombone, joined the Florida State University College of Music faculty after previously holding teaching appointments at the University of Texas at Austin, the University of South Carolina, Lander University, and Presbyterian College.

As a performing artist, Jones has numerous performing credits with jazz and commercial artists, including James Brown, Kenny Loggins, the Ringling Bros. Circus, the Temptations, Bucky Pizzarelli, Aretha Franklin, Joshua Redman, Joe Lovano, David Sanborn, Bill Holman, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Jim McNeely, Burt Bacharach, and Barry Manilow, and was a featured artist for Princess Cruise Lines.

Carlos Guastavino (1912-200) Sonata para Trombón y Piano is a composition by a significant Argentine composer that is virtually unknown outside his home country. The piece is a three-moment hidden gem from the trombone repertoire I was fortunate to uncover during my DMA dissertation. Now, it needs to reach further audiences.

Sonatina para Trombone e Piano by Rodrigo Lima (b. 1976). Lima is a young Brazilian composer who is already internationally renowned. Lima’s compositions are rich for their beauty and depth. The Sonatina displays a variety of emotions and colors distributed in three movements, lasting approximately 10 minutes. The piece was commissioned and premiered in 2003. It has been recorded and become a standard in Brazilian trombone repertoire, but it has been performed only once by Jose Milton Vieira at an ITF in 2018.

Sonata for Trombone and Brass Quartet, Jack Wilds (b. 1986)

This piece was the result of a consortium I led to commission Jack Wilds to compose a piece for solo trombone and brass quartet. Included below are program notes from the composer:

"This piece is for tenor trombone soloist within a brass quintet. It is divided into three movements, held together by a single motivic fragment that runs through the entire work. The first movement is brisk and explores some of the dynamic extremes the ensemble is capable of. The tonal material is derived from a non-repeating scale.

The second movement is a passacaglia. The theme is presented by the trombonist, then passed through the ensemble. The third movement relies heavily on the kinetic energy built up by mixed meter. It begins at a moderately fast pace and presents material that will permeate the rest of the movement. In the middle, it transitions to a slower, more lyrical section, before recapitulating the opening material and running rampant to its finish.

This piece is dedicated to Jett Walker and his co-commissioners with my deepest gratitude. It was my privilege to write for such a fantastic group of trombonists, and I hope you enjoy the piece!"

Lotus , Nobuhito Sato (b. 1952)

Dr. Sterling Tanner and Dr. Nathan Mertens will perform the premiere of the composition "The Fragrance I Loved: Lotus" by eminent Japanese composer Nobuhito Sato in the United States. This musical composition, scored for alto saxophone, bass trombone, and piano, was crafted in 2017 and notably incorporates advanced instrumental techniques reminiscent of traditional Asian musical instruments. Sato's creative inspiration for this composition stems from the evocative qualities associated with incense, with the piece serving as a sonic representation of various elements: the enigmatic ambiance of the lotus flower, the fragrance contained within the compact incense box, and the act of igniting the incense itself. "Lotus" conveys the sensory impressions evoked by visual imagery and the ethereal smoke that unfurls post-ignition. The composition spans approximately 9 minutes, offering a captivating auditory experience that bridges cultural and artistic boundaries. In presenting this premiere, we aim to provide scholars and enthusiasts with an opportunity to explore the intersection of contemporary composition and cross-cultural musical expressions.

Nocturne in G minor, H. 337, arr. Austin Motley, Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel (1805-1847)

This new arrangement of Hensel’s Nocturne in G minor for trombone solo and piano was completed in 2023. The inspiration behind reinterpreting the work for trombone and piano was the need for new quality trombone repertoire by female composers as well as the recent success by other arrangers that adapted piano works for solo brass and piano. Hensel’s Nocturne is fully Romantic in style and focuses on the constant push and pull of tension and release. My arrangement places the melody in the trombone part, while occasionally allowing the trombone and piano to switch roles. The arrangement is also full of wide leaps and fast technical passages that are easily performed on the piano, but present more of a challenge to brass players. My hope is that this arrangement will add to the existing repertoire of solo brass arrangements while raising appreciation for female composers of the past. This arrangement for solo trombone and piano was premiered in April 2023 at Ouachita Baptist University as a part of Dr. Austin Motley's Faculty Recital.

Sonata No. 2 , Jiri Laburda

Czech composer Jiri Laburda's second Sonata for Trombone and Piano was composed in 1994 and published in 1998. A German-published catalog of Laburda's works provides no evidence of a premiere. His first Sonata for Trombone and Piano was composed in 1979, with William Cramer premiering the work in 1982 at Florida State University. My first collegiate trombone teacher was Christian Dickinson (a student of William Cramer), who assisted me in contacting Jiri Laburda. Now in his early nineties, Jiri happily shared with me the previously mentioned catalog, Sonata No. 2 for Trombone and additional manuscripts of his works for trombone. If Sonata No. 2, with certainty, was never premiered, then this performance would serve as the premiere.

Extase, Emmett Yoshioka (b. 1944)

This proposal is for a performance of a piece for solo trombone called “Extase” by the composer Emmett Yoshioka. Although it was composed in 1969, I feel that it is a piece that deserves much wider recognition. It is a very accessible piece for undergraduate and graduate music students to explore the genre of unaccompanied solos, and works well on both juries and recitals. Yoshioka is a composer with both Japanese and Hawaiian heritage and his piece features melodies that showcase influences from his varied background. My hope through this potential performance would be to not only perform this beautiful work at the ITF, but to also help spread awareness about this piece and have it become a staple of the solo trombone repertoire.

The Trombonite, Betin Günes

Betin Günes (b. 1957) is a Turkish composer and conductor based on Cologne, Germany. His work 'the Trombonite' for Alto Trombone and Piano is likely one of if not the most difficult works for alto trombone. This piece was written for german trombone soloist Thomas Horch, and was premiered on Horch's 'Trombone in Europe' album. In the liner notes, Horch says about the piece, "Günes, with his meaningful tonal language, arouses feelings of basic musical instinct. Incidentally, it may be noted that the range of the alto trombone, from its lowest possible note, the contra A, to its highest note, [12th partial] a, has been extended to four octaves."

Trio in G Minor, Ian Deterling

Trio in G Minor is a recent collaboration project between Oak Trio and composer Ian Deterling. The five-movement work for clarinet, trumpet, and bass trombone is loosely structured like a rondo; movements I. Andante, III. Adagio, and V. Vivacissimo are based on variations of a primary melody. The mixing of different styles and references of various composers create a unique canvas that displays a wide range of emotion.

Oak Trio: Suzanne Tirk, Clarinet. Richard Tirk, Trumpet. Benjamin Yates, Bass Trombone

Refulgence: for Trombone Soloist and 8-part Trombone Ensemble, Ben Carrasquillo (b.1993)

Refulgence for Solo Trombone and 8-part Trombone Ensemble is a new dramatic and expressive showpiece by composer Ben Carrasquillo. This piece was influenced greatly by Jim Pugh’s “Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra,” as well as other modern contemporary and jazz music. It was premiered on Carrasquillo’s final DMA recital at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he graduated in 2023. It was recorded by Austin Seybert in Summer of 2023, and will be featured on his upcoming album Untold Stories.

Refulgence (the meaning of the word is radiant, shining, brilliant or resplendent) of 7 minutes in length is in A-B-A format with the two outside sections being fast and the middle section being slow and expressive. The piece is built around lush suspended harmonies, with the melody requiring the soloist to navigate difficult pentatonic lines. This piece reflects my own musical journey, having worked to cultivate a career in jazz, classical, and commercial music. I believe it would be a fresh and exciting addition to the world of trombone solo and ensemble music, and ITF would provide an opportunity to share it with countless peers and members of the trombone community.

Ohio River Journal, David P. Jones (b. 1958)

Dr. David P. Jones describes his work Ohio River Journal as “a multi percussion piece with majestic harmonies.” Comprised of 4 movements scored for trombone and percussion, Ohio River Journal portrays a variety of scenes from the lives of those who reside in the Ohio River Valley area of Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, Indiana, and Illinois. The first movement, Red Tailed Hawk, features aggressive articulations, complex rhythmic lines, and relentless intensity from the drum set. In The Hills of Boone County, marimba pairs with cup-muted trombone to capture a cool, easygoing spirit with the occasional outburst reminiscent of Red Tailed Hawk. Latent Storms suggests mystery and uncertainty with a sparse texture, the use of wah-wah mute, and delicate hand percussion instruments. The final movement, River Boat, features an exuberant dance-like melody played over Latin-influenced drum set grooves. As a native of the Ohio River Valley myself, having grown up in Boone County, Kentucky which is specifically mentioned in the name of this work’s second movement, I would simply love to perform Ohio River Journal alongside my percussion colleague at ITF 2024. It is a highly effective recital work that should be performed more often. Thank you!

The Secret of Ben Søgen, Elizabeth Raum (b. 1945)

I am submitting this proposal to the committee for the opportunity to perform The Secret of Ben Søgen by Elizabeth Raum on a Performing Artist Showcase recital. Elizabeth Raum is one of the great living composers, and she has provided brass players with many new works that have made it into the standard repertoire for recitals and competitions. Currently, her Olmutz Concerto for Alto Trombone and Orchestra is the subject of my doctoral dissertation. I had already been familiar with her Romance and Fantasy, but came across her brilliant alto trombone concerto only a couple years ago. Upon researching her entire catalogue of works, I found numerous pieces that I was unfamiliar with, including The Secret of Ben Søgen. The piece is relatively short but manages to transform the main theme, representing our fictional hero Ben Søgen, through a variety of moods as the hero conquers his mission. My goal with this performance is to bring attention to a relatively unknown work, and to Elizabeth’s catalogue of trombone repertoire as a whole. The piece is not found on any albums and only a few recordings exist, but I believe this would make an excellent choice for recitals, juries, and competitions.

Leap Forward, What Happened Was, Tipping Point , Kevin Hicks 2022

Kevin Hicks began recording new original work at the end of 2021 and released throughout 2022. These tunes feature tight ensemble performances full of Jazz improvisation and Kevin Hicks’ unique composing style. Leap Forward utilizes advanced abilities of the fretting on the trombone also known as across-the-grain techniques during the melody. It also features improvisatory duels between the soloists and drummer. What Happened Was paints a slow painting of sound over a landscape with moments to feature soloists and allow them to paint part of the view. Tipping Point brings up the energy for a final movement of excitement with a catchy melody and lots of notes to fill the room.

Aurum, Jane K (Evgeniya Kozhevnikova)

Aurum, by Jane K, will receive its world premiere at ITF 2024. Aurum, which is the Latin word for “gold”, and the concept of the work is that it will be a sonic reflection on those things that are important and precious, but not of material value, i.e. “true gold”. Jane K (Evgeniya Kozhevnikova) is a composer, pianist, and educator. Her works have been performed at regional, national, and international events. She composes in various styles and genres, from classical to jazz and tango, tastefully blending them. In 2020, she released a jazz-tango album Tango Avenue with her original works and in 2022 an album of her art songs Lift Up Your Hearts. In 2019, Jane received a DownBeat Magazine Outstanding Performance award in the Latin jazz category with her original jazz-tango compositions. Jane holds two master’s degrees, in Music Composition and Music Performance, from Western Michigan University. She is completing her doctorate in Music Composition at the University of Florida. Aurum is scored for two trombones and piano and leans heavily on jazz styles.

"Two Short Stories" - Mantram (1986) , Giacinto Scelsi (1905-1988) & Camel Music (1976), Howard Buss (b. 1951)

I would like to pair these two short unaccompanied works as “two short stories” that allow the music to in fact “tell a story” through musical expression on the trombone. The first, “Mantram,” is a somewhat obscure piece originally composed for double bass, but its introspective and expressive qualities and pitch bending glissandos translate brilliantly on the trombone. The second, “Camel Music,” was one of the first in our repertoire to explore extended techniques. I fear this delightful work has fallen off the radar, and that our younger generation of trombonists should be exposed to this significant piece and hopefully carry it forward in our ever-growing canon of “contemporary music.”

Out of the Darkness, Frank Gulino, Commissioned (b. 1987, commissioned 2020)

Out of the Darkness for Bass Trombone and Piano (2020) was commissioned in 2020 by Austin Pancner, featuring a consortium of 26 trombonists. This through-composed sonata reflects the journey of the global community during the tumultuous experience of COVID-19. Even though the pandemic was different for everyone, this piece captures a spectrum of emotions that many of us experienced, ranging from darkness, despair, hope, light, and triumph.

This sonata, intended to become a staple of the modern bass trombone repertoire for advanced undergraduates or graduate students, showcases the power of music to unite people and express their shared experiences. "Out of the Darkness for Bass Trombone and Piano" is an example of innovation and new musical horizons, offering a fresh perspective on the ever-evolving relationship between music and the human experience.

15 Years (On the Erie Canal), Jennifer Merkowitz

This piece, "15 Years (On the Erie Canal), for trombone and recording, was commissioned by me in 2021. Jennifer Merkowitz is a gifted composer and teacher. We both grew up in Buffalo, NY, so she wanted to tie that into the commission. Proving how innovative Jennifer is, she used a recording of the traditional song "15 Years" and set a trombone solo to it based on the melody, and my own musical interests. She prerecorded me playing the melody and scales to incorporate into the recorded track. This piece is a great example of bringing the past into the present.

Working Title (On the Rim of Thin Places), Rachel DeVore Fogarty (b. 1980)

Four movement modular work designed to be performed in any order and in any combination of movements. There are two ensemble movements and two solo movements. One movement makes use of the electronic medium utilizing a loop station. The working title for the composition is "On the Rim of Thin Places" and has an ethereal yet solitary feel.

Vancouver, Derek J. Molacek (b. 1983)

Dr. Derek J. Molacek is a trombonist, composer and arranger currently based out of Plano, Texas. Derek was previously a member of The USAF Band of the Golden West, performing in the concert band, jazz ensemble, and brass quintets. As a member of the Commanders Jazz Ensemble, he performed at the 2011 and 2012 Monterey Jazz Festivals and as a member of the concert band has performed under the baton of Michael Tilson Thomas. He was an active performer in the Omaha-Lincoln-Southwest Iowa Region from 2017-2022 performing with Andy William and the Nebraska All-Stars (salsa/Afro-Cuban), the Omaha Symphony, Lincoln Municipal Band (concert band), Nebraska Brass Band (British brass band), and with former The Voice contestant Josh Hoyer (soul, blues, funk). Derek is a two-time semifinalist (2006, 2019) of the Rich Matteson Jazz Competition as well. From 2022-2023 Derek was based in Cullman, Alabama where he directed the Wallace State Community College Concert Band, and actively performed as a jazz trombonist for the Matt Leder Quintet and a euphonium soloist with the Brass Band of Huntsville for the 2023 North American Brass Band Association Championships. He re-located to Plano in August, 2023 and is an active teacher through Plano, Rockwall, and Lewisville ISDs.

Breeze in The Hearts, Bloom in The World, Keiko Takashima (b. 1962)

"Breeze in The Hearts, Bloom in The World" is a sonata written for trombone and piano commissioned by trombonist Takenori Yoshikawa that was premiered in July 2010. Composer Keiko Takashima is a female, Japanese composer who has written extensively for trombone (specifically trombone quartets). Originally set in four movements, I will perform the first movement of this piece. This roughly seven minute movement's melody is majestic and brave as it traverses throughout several stylistic changes.

Ballade, Robert Boury (1946-2023)

Robert Boury’s Ballade was originally written for cello and piano, and is in a Romantic style which recalls the music of Brahms throughout. I have adapted and edited it for trombone solo. The first theme begins with a melancholy descending line in D minor that lands on the dissonant C# before resolving and ascending an octave. The second theme revolves around the key of F major, although has a much more passionate and stormy mood. The development stretches the technique of the trombone in terms of breathing and range, including multiple high D’s. After the development section, neither themes return, instead, the melody converses with an improvisatory-like interplay with the accompaniment. Swedish listeners may be familiar with the opening theme as it has been adapted for a popular television soap opera. In addition, the accompaniment quotes directly from Brahms Op. 117 Intermezzo no. 1 at the end of the piece. Ballade represents a beautiful Romantic addition to the trombone solo repertoire.

Arcadia Trombonica, Kenley Kristofferson

Arcadia Trombonica is a love letter to the original Nintendo Entertainment System. Written for trombone and 8-bit accompaniment, this piece evokes the nostalgia of games like Super Mario Bros, Mega Man, and Castlevania. Kenley Kristofferson, the composer of this piece, masterfully depicts the sounds and feelings of retro gaming through elevated takes on common tropes: the adventure of level 1-1, the overwhelming frenzy of a difficult boss battle, and the disappointment of losing that last bit of health before finding resolve and hitting continue. These are vivid memories for many kids who grew up playing video games in the 1980s and 90s. Arcadia Trombonica replicates the experience of watching our siblings play a newly rented video game while waiting sometimes patiently for our turn. The audience witnesses the player’s journey through a short video game designed especially for this piece that is played in tandem with the musical experience. Commission of this piece was made possible through the Canada Council for the Arts, the Manitoba Arts Council, and the Brandon University Research Committee.

Just Breathe for Trombone and Loop Pedal, John Sipher (b. 1984)

Dr. William Mann’s performance at the International Trombone Festival will feature Just Breathe for Trombone and Loop Pedal by John Sipher (11:30). This work features the trombone soloist in the unique setting of creating the atmosphere of the piece in real time using the loop pedal. The work as stated by the composer “represents the process of a meditative breath: the inhale as the need for calm increases, the thoughts that swirl in one’s head as the breath is held before the release, and finally the release of the breath, and with it the negative energy and tension.” The purpose for choosing this work to feature at ITF is to bring light to the developing idiom of trombone with electronics as a viable and stimulating performance medium.

Wake-Up-Call, John Frith (b. 1947)

This submission to perform John Frith’s “Wake-Up-Call” on a Performing Artist Showcase serves to bring light to a new work for the instrumentation of two trombones and piano, and also to help encourage other’s to seek out and write new compositions for this instrumentation. The piece was composed in 2023, and this performance will help to serve as a reference recording for trombonists. The composer describes the piece in his own words as the following: “WAKE-UP-CALL was composed to showcase the talents of three "very" capable musicians. It has many Jazz elements beginning with a 1920's - style 'flapper' introduction which reappears as a central section and, later, in the coda.

A second theme provides a contrasting 'latin' come 'swing' element which is shared equally between the trombones. The piano part is integral to the music and of equal importance throughout. This lyrical second theme is developed using improvisatory techniques. Some of these 'Jazz licks' will challenge even experienced musicians and yet they are not beyond the technique of serious students of the trombone. The pianist will also have their work cut out to master this score but I'm confident that the end result will more than justify the means.”

Shoulder to Shoulder, Adam Scott Neal b. 1981

Shoulder to Shoulder, for horn and trombone, was composed by Adam Scott Neal in 2018. This piece is “about solidarity and partnership.” These concepts are musically reflected in the work through the way in which the two instruments primarily play homophonically or in conjunction with one another. While this is a new work, it balances innovation with approachability suitable for a wide variety of audiences. The piece highlights consonant intervals and refrains from the incorporation of extended techniques. It was commissioned by Height Difference Duo and premiered at the 2018 East Carolina University Brass Faculty Recital. While ensembles and duos have been an integral element of brass history, mixed instrument brass duos remain a relatively new frontier.

Premiere of a new work by Christopher Sharpe

"Adventures of a Fat Frog" is a new work by bass trombonist and band leader Jennifer Wharton (Bonegasm) in the Tommy Pederson/Chris Brubeck style for unaccompanied Bass Trombone. Based in a commercial style that is reminiscent of Stereograms, this new work bridges the gap between styles, and will be a great addition to the unaccompanied repertoire for the bass trombone. Description goes here