Overview

The Trombone Institute provides participants with solo, ensemble and chamber performance experience. The faculty work with students to strengthen their fundamental techniques while enhancing their ability to perform creatively on their instruments.

This program is open to students who are currently in grades 9-12.

Activities and Master classes:

• fundamentals
• breathing pedagogy
• technique
• orchestral excerpt preparation and mock audition
• orchestral section performance

Lecture topics

• Career options
• Performance stress
• Audition preparation
• How to make a winning recording

Details

Master classes focus on a wide range of essential skills for auditions and performance.

Private lessons with the faculty allow individualized learning opportunities.

Trombone choir rehearsals and performance strengthen ensemble skills.

Solo and chamber performances will be offered by faculty members.

Advanced repertoire will include standard solo repertoire, trio and quartet literature and standard orchestral repertoire required at most auditions for colleges and professional orchestras.

Faculty

Mark Lusk
Mark Lusk has served as Professor of Trombone at Penn State since 1986. Prior to his appointment, he played with diverse groups such as the Woody Herman Thundering Herd, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Eastman Wind Ensemble and the Chicago Contemporary Chamber Players. Professor Lusk has also performed on Broadway, including productions of "Little Women," "Phantom of the Opera," "Miss Saigon," "Les Miserable" and "Beauty and the Beast."

Mark Hetzler
Mark Hetzler is an Assistant Professor of Trombone at the University of Wisconsin. As a member of the Empire Brass Quintet for the past eleven years, Professor Hetzler has performed in recital and as a soloist with symphony orchestras around the world. He is a former Principal trombone of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, and has also performed with the Boston Pops and the Florida Orchestra.

Tom Riccobono
Tom Riccobono has been instructor of low brass at the Interlochen Arts Academy since 1996. He holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music, Penn State University, and the Cleveland Institute of Music. Mr. Riccobono has performed with the Savannah Symphony, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Rochester Philharmonic, Milwaukee Symphony, Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival Orchestra in Salzau, Germany, Spoleto Festival Orchestra, (Italy). Currently, Mr. Riccobono is principal trombonist with the Traverse Symphony Orchestra and conducts the the Traverse Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Audition Requirements

• Record two solo works of contrasting style on a CD or DVD. Standard (type II) audio cassettes will also be accepted.
• Submit the audition and label the recording and its casing with the applicant’s full name, "Institute Division," instrument and repertoire presented.