2012 ITA Solo & Ensemble Competitions

Last update: March 4, 2012

A complete list of finalists/winners for the ITA Solo & Ensemble Competitions has been posted below - the finals will be held during the 2012 International Trombone Festival in Paris, France, July 4-7. Congratulations to all finalists!

Robert Marsteller Trombone Competition

52 entries

Finalists - (alphabetical order)

  • Joshua Balleza - University of Texas, Nathaniel Brickens, teacher
  • Csaba Bencze - University of Pécs - Hungary, Istvan Peter Farkas, teacher
  • David Binder - Northwestern University, Michael Mulcahy, Pete Ellefson, Tim Higgins, teachers

First Alternate

Sebastian Kemner - Conservatorium van Amsterdam, Jörgen van Rijen, Pierre Volders, Remko de Jager, teachers

Second Alternate

Patrick Montgomery - Curtis Institute of Music, Nitzan Haroz, teacher

Honorable Mention

  • Jan Donner - Musikhochschule - Hannover, Jonas Bylund, Jamie Williams, teachers
  • Andrew Friedrichs - Eastman School of Music, Mark Kellogg, teacher
  • Valentin Guérin - Det Jeyske Musikkonservatorium, Aarhus, Denmark, Niels Ole-Bo Johansen, teacher
  • Steve Warren - Northwestern University, Michael Mulcahy, Pete Ellefson, teachers

Judges

  • Bill Booth - Los Angeles freelance artist
  • Ingemar Roos - principal trombonist, Göteburg Symphony Orchestra, Sweden
  • Douglas Wright - principal trombonist, Minnesota Orchestra
  • John Kitzman - principal trombonist, Dallas Symphony Orchestra
  • Alex Iles - Los Angeles freelance artist
  • Wagner Polistchuk - principal trombonist, São Paulo Symphony Orchestra, Brazil

Carl Fontana Jazz Trombone Competition

21 entries

Finalists - (alphabetical order)

  • Raphael Klemm - Folkwang University of the Arts, Essen, Germany, Ansgar Striepens, teacher
  • Ido Meshulam - Berklee College of Music, Jeff Galindo, teacher
  • Robinson Khoury - CNSMD-Lyon, France, Michel Becquet, teacher

First Alternate

Au Callum - London, England, Mark Nightingale, teacher

Second Alternate

Kyle Johnson - Texas State University - San Marcos, Freddie Mendoza, teacher

Honorable Mention

  • John Egizi - Berklee College of Music, Darren Garrett, teacher
  • Matthew Hettwer - University of Oregon, Henry Henniger, teacher
  • Seth Weaver - University of North Texas, Tony Baker, teacher

Judges

  • Antonio García - professor, Virginia Commonwealth University
  • Alex Iles - Los Angeles recording artist
  • James McFalls - jazz professor, Towson University

ITA Alto Trombone Competition

14 entries

Finalists - (alphabetical order)

  • Jason Cash - University of Michigan, David Jackson, teacher
  • Charlotte van Passen - Conservatorium van Amsterdam, Jörgen van Rijen, Remko de Jager, Pierre Volders, teachers
  • Matthew Russo - Yale University, Scott Hartman, teacher

First Alternate

Patrick Montgomery - Curtis Institute of Music, Nitzan Haroz, teacher

Second Alternate

Timothy Hilgert - Yale University, Scott Hartman, teacher

Honorable Mention

  • Andrew Bobka - Eastman School of Music, John Marcellus, teacher
  • Julie Gray - University of North Texas, Jan Kagarice, teacher
  • Salvador Lopez - University of Arizona, Moises Paiewonsky, teacher
  • Joseph Munoz - UCLA, Jim Miller, teacher
  • John Shaw - John Shaw, Oklahoma State University, Paul Compton, teacher

Judges

  • Abbie Conant - trombone professor, Musikhochschule-Trossingen, Germany
  • Valtteri Malmivirta - principal trombonist, Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Carsten Svanberg - retired trombone professor, Musikhochschule-Graz, Austria

Gilberto Gagliardi Trombone Competition

27 entries

Finalists - (alphabetical order)

  • Stephen Farrell - Baylor University, Brent Phillips, teacher
  • Daniel Murphy - Oberlin College, James DeSano, Larry Zalkind, teachers
  • Bailey Schmidt - North Salem High School, Salem OR, Matt Polacek, Aaron Lavere, teachers

First Alternate

Thomas Whaley - DePaul University, Mark Fisher, teacher

Second Alternate

Ben Carrasquillo - University of Alabama, Jonathan Whitaker, teacher

Honorable Mention

  • Ben Holmes - Baylor University, Brent Phillips, teacher
  • Trenton Howard - Oklahoma State University, Paul Compton, teacher
  • Ryan Krafta - Interlochen Arts Academy, Tom Riccobono, teacher

Judges

  • Megumi Kanda - principal trombonist, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
  • Weston Sprott - trombonist, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
  • Jeremy Wilson - trombonist, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

Donald Yaxley Bass Trombone Competition

35 entries

Finalists - (alphabetical order)

First Alternate

Rudy Hoehn - Juilliard School of Music, James Markey, teacher

Second Alternate

Jeremy Morrow - Northwestern University, Michael Mulcahy, Pete Ellefson, Randay Hawes, teachers

Honorable Mention

  • Nuno Henriques - Koninklijk Conservatorium - Den Haag, Brandt Attema, teacher
  • Zachary James - University of Southern Mississippi, Ben McElwain, teacher
  • Matt Jefferson - University of North Texas, Jan Kagarice, teacher
  • Lucas Kaspar - University of Alabama, Jonathan Whitaker, teacher
  • Gabe Roberson - Louisiana State University, Steve Menard, teacher
  • Robinson Schultze - St. Olaf College, Larry Zimmerman, teacher

Judges

  • Terry Cravens - trombone professor, University of Southern California
  • Mark Gaal - bass trombonist, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
  • David Ridge - bass trombonist, San Francisco Opera Orchestra

Emory Remington Trombone Choir Competition

23 entries

Winner

Hannover Trombone Class - Musikhochschule-Hannover, Germany, Jonas Bylund, conductor

Runner-up

Conservatorium van Amsterdam Trombone Choir - Jörgen van Rijen, Pierre Volders, Ben van Dijk, coaches

Honorable Mention

  • Boston University Trombone Choir - Don Lucas, conductor
  • Guildhall School of Music Trombone Choir - Eric Crees, Christpher Houlding, conductors
  • Royal College of Music-London Trombone Choir - Byron Fulcher, conductor
  • University of Texas Trombone Choir - Nathaniel Brickens, conductor

Judges

  • Blair Bollinger - bass trombonist, Philadelphia Orchestra
  • Heinz Fadle - Retired trombone professor, Musikhochschule-Detmold, Germany
  • John Marcellus - trombone professor, Eastman School of Music

ITA Trombone Quartet Competition

17 entries

Finalists - (alphabetical order)

  • Erasmus Trombone Quartet - Conservatorium van Amsterdam, Jörgen van Rijen, Remko de Jager, Pierre Volders, Ben van Dijk, coaches
  • Quattrobones - Musikhochschule-Hannover, Germany, Jonas Bylund, coach
  • SubitoBones - University of Texas - Austin, Charles Villarubia, Nathaniel Brickens, coaches

First Alternate

Slide Motion Trombone Quartet - Conservatorium van Amsterdam, Jörgen van Rijen, Remko de Jager, Pierre Volders, Ben van Dijk, coaches

Second Alternate

Bufam un ow Trombone Quartet - Rotterdam, The Netherlands, no coach listed

Honorable Mention

  • 4 Play - Northwestern University, Jeremy Moeller, Michael Mulcahy, Timothy Higgins, coaches
  • The Handsome Dans Quartet - Yale University, Scott Hartman, coach
  • RAF Bones - Eastman School of Music, no coach listed

Judges

  • John Rojak - bass trombonist, American Brass Quintet
  • Becky Smith - trombonist, Bones Apart
  • John Swallow - retired trombonist, New York Brass Quintet, Yale University, New England Conservatory, Manhattan School of Music

J.J. Johnson Jazz Trombone Competition

17 entries

Finalists - (alphabetical order)

  • Eric Bowman - Western Michigan University, Steve Wolfinbarger, teacher
  • Au Callum - London, England, Mark Nightingale, teacher
  • Robinson Khoury - CNSMD Lyon, France, Michel Becquet, teacher

First Alternate

Ido Meshulam - Berklee College of Music, Jeff Galindo, teacher

Second Alternate

Alexander Truelove - McGill University, no teacher listed

Honorable Mention

  • Bastien Ballaz - CNSM de Paris, Glenn Ferris, Jacques Mauger, teachers
  • Nick Grinder - New York University, Elliot Mason, teacher
  • Peter Nelson - Michigan State University, Michael Dease, teacher
  • Javier Nero - Juilliard School of Music, Steve Turré, teacher
  • Joshua Torrey - University of Illinois, Jim Pugh, teacher

Judges

  • Michael Davis - New York jazz artist
  • Wycliffe Gordon - New York jazz artist
  • Eijiro Nakagawa - Tokyo jazz artist

Frank Smith Trombone Competition

22 entries

Finalists - (alphabetical order)

  • Eric Bowman - Western Michigan University, Steve Wolfinbarger, teacher
  • David Bruestle - Eastman School of Music, Mark Kellogg, teacher
  • Micah Hood - University of New Mexico, Debra Taylor, teacher

First Alternate

Joseph Munoz - UCLA, Jim Miller, teacher

Second Alternate

Caroline Juster - Northwestern University, Michael Mulcahy, Pete Ellefson, Tim Higgins, Randy Hawes, teachers

Honorable Mention

  • Blair Castle - University of Texas, Nathaniel Brickens, teacher
  • Steve Warren - Northwestern University, Michael Mulcahy, Pete Ellefson, Tim Higgins, teachers
  • Isaac Washam - University of North Texas, Vern Kagarice, teacher

Judges

  • Håkan Björkman - principal trombonist, Swedish Radio Orchestra
  • Per Brevig - retired trombonist, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
  • Jonas Bylund - professor, Hochschule für Musik - Hannover, Germany

Kai Winding Jazz Trombone Ensemble Competition

6 entries

Winner

University of Illinois Jazz Trombone Ensemble, Jim Pugh, leader

Runner-up

University of Akron Jazz Trombone Ensemble, Jack Schantz, leader

Honorable Mention

  • The Greenhorns (University of North Texas), Jason Hausback, leader

Judges

  • John Fedchock - New York Jazz Artist
  • Conrad Herwig - New York Jazz Artist
  • Chuck Mandernach - leader, Them Bones (Dallas)

Edward Kleinhammer Orchestral Bass Trombone Competition

17 entries

Finalists - (alphabetical order)

First Alternate

Robert Harold Tamas - Ferenc Liszt Acadamy of Music-Budapest, Tividar Sztan, teacher

Second Alternate

Willie Seals - Oklahoma State University, Paul Compton, teacher

Honorable Mention

  • Frederico Luis Ramos - Roosevelt University, Jay Friedman, teacher

Judges

  • Ron Bishop - retired tubist, Cleveland Orchestra
  • John Engelkes - bass trombonist, San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
  • Stephen Lange - second trombonist, Boston Symphony Orchestra

George Roberts Competition

9 entries

Finalists - (alphabetical order)

  • James Buckle - Royal Academy of Music - London, Bob Hughes, teacher
  • Evan Clifton - Western Michigan University, Steve Wolfinbarger, teacher
  • Suraj Sulhan - Juilliard School of Music, James Markey, teacher

First Alternate

Freddy Ouellette - University of North Texas, Jan Kagarice, teacher

Second Alternate

Trenton Howard - Oklahoma State University, Paul Compton, teacher

Honorable Mention (in alphabetical order)

  • A.J. Muusse - Grandview High School, Grandview, MI, Dan Mattson and Steve Wolfinbarger, teachers

Judges

  • Ben van Dijk - bass trombonist, Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra
  • Bill Reichenbach - bass trombonist, Los Angeles freelance artist
  • Donn Schaefer - trombone professor, University of Utah

Lewis Van Haney Philharmonic Prize Tenor Trombone Competition

30 entries

Finalists - (alphabetical order)

First Alternate

Henry Stanley - University of Michigan, David Jackson

Second Alternate

Kurt Ferguson - Rice University, Allen Barnhill, teacher

Honorable Mention (in alphabetical order)

  • David Bruestle - Eastman School of Music, Mark Kellogg, teacher
  • Christian Paarup - Baylor University, Brent Phillips, teacher
  • Nathan Musch - Western Michigan University, Steve Wolfinbarger, teacher
  • Matt Walley - University of Georgia, Josh Bynum, teacher
  • Joseph Walsh - New England Conservatory of Music, Toby Oft and Stephen Lange, teacher

Judges

  • Bob Hughes - retired bass trombonist, London Symphony Orchestra
  • Carl Lenthe - trombone professor, Indiana University
  • Jamie Williams - solo trombonist, Berlin Opera Orchestra

Larry Wiehe Trombone Competition

20 entries

Finalists - (alphabetical order)

First Alternate

John Romero - Baylor University, Brent Phillips, teacher

Second Alternate

Erik Dancy - Western Michigan University, Steve Wolfinbarger, teacher

Honorable Mention (in alphabetical order)

  • Rick Blake - Roosevelt University, Jay Friedman, teacher
  • Matt Carr - University of Texas, Nathaniel Brickens, teacher
  • Brandon Lewis - Texas Christian University, David Begnoche, teacher

Judges

  • Ian Bousfield - solo trombonist, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
  • James Erdman - retired trombone soloist, U.S. Marine Band
  • Todd Sturniolo - trombonist, U.S. Army Field Band