The Stetson Trombone Choir, conducted by associate professor of music, David Schmidt, was selected to perform at the 42^nd annual International Trombone Festival (ITF) this year in Columbus, Ga., hosted by the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University.

“The Festival is a once-a-year gathering of trombonists from throughout the world,” said Schmidt. “This year’s Festival was the largest in the history of the International Trombone Association attracting over 1,000 participants. An invitation to perform at an ITF is considered to be the highest honor in the trombone world. Last year’s Festival was held in Paris, France, and next year’s Festival will be held at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y.”

The Stetson Trombone Choir was invited to perform two concerts at the Festival as a result of the submission of the group’s fall 2012 concert performance. Only 15 collegiate trombone ensembles from throughout the world were invited to perform. Other colleges represented include Baylor University, the University of Alabama and the University of South Carolina. Stetson was by far the smallest school invited to attend.

The Stetson Trombone Choir is comprised of 15 members, all trombone music majors, minors and selected non-majors. After hours of rehearsing, the choir traveled to Columbus where they performed both concerts at the university: first, in the Studio Theater in the $68 million Riverfront Performing Arts Center, and then at the Columbus Trade Center.

The group played Shenandoah by Percy Grainger and Begrabnisgesang by Johannes Brahms, which lasted a total of 12 minutes. For the second concert, repeating the Grainger and Brahms pieces played earlier in the day, the group then performed Landerkennung by Edvard Grieg, Engage by Timothy Crist, A Mighty Fortress by Elizabeth Raum, and A Dollar and Half a Day by Percy Grainger, for a total of 30 minutes.

“Stetson School of Music alum, Jason Robins ’03, was the featured soloist on the Grainger,” said Schmidt. “Jason is now playing professionally as the second trombonist of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.”

The concert was very well received by everyone in attendance, including several Stetson alumni who made the trip to Columbus or were already a part of the Festival program. More information regarding the 2013 International Trombone Festival can be found at: http://www.trombone.net/festival/.

by Kim Charles