Stay tuned for more information concerning 2019 Trombone Day!
On April 21, 2018 the A-State Department of Music hosted the inaugural A-State Trombone Day, which included recitals, masterclasses, and a question and answer session. Thanks to everyone who made time to join us for the event! We are already in the planning stages for next year's event!
Schedule
All events in Fine Arts Recital Hall at Arkansas State University
8:00-9:00 AM - Registration/Check In
9:00 AM - Greetings and performance by A-State Trombone Choir
10:00 - Trombone Recital
11:00 AM - All-State Audition Preparation Clinic with Dr. Faske
Bring your questions - parents and directors are encouraged to ask questions, too!
12:00 Lunch Break
1:15 Open Masterclass with Dr. Whitaker - email Dr. Faske if you would like to perform!
3:00 PM Question and Answer Session with Trombone Faculty
8:00-9:00 AM - Registration/Check In
9:00 AM - Greetings and performance by A-State Trombone Choir
10:00 - Trombone Recital
11:00 AM - All-State Audition Preparation Clinic with Dr. Faske
Bring your questions - parents and directors are encouraged to ask questions, too!
12:00 Lunch Break
1:15 Open Masterclass with Dr. Whitaker - email Dr. Faske if you would like to perform!
3:00 PM Question and Answer Session with Trombone Faculty
RECITAL PROGRAM
Order to be determined, but will include:
Fantasia for Trombone - Frigyes Hidas
Morceau Symphonique - Alexandre Guilmant
Blue Bells of Scotland - Arthur Pryor
Willow, Willow - Percy Grainger
Three Emily Dickinson Songs - Michael Hennagin
Jonathan Whitaker, trombone
Bruce Faske, trombone
Lauren Schack Clark, piano
Fantasia for Trombone - Frigyes Hidas
Morceau Symphonique - Alexandre Guilmant
Blue Bells of Scotland - Arthur Pryor
Willow, Willow - Percy Grainger
Three Emily Dickinson Songs - Michael Hennagin
Jonathan Whitaker, trombone
Bruce Faske, trombone
Lauren Schack Clark, piano
FACULTY
Dr. Jonathan Whitaker joined the faculty of the University of Alabama in the fall of 2009. At Alabama, Whitaker’s students have been tremendously successful in national and international solo competitions including the Eastern Trombone Workshop National Solo Competition, the International Trombone Association’s solo competitions and the Alessi Seminar. The University of Alabama Trombone Choir has given performances at the 2010 Eastern Trombone Workshop, the 2011 International Trombone Festival in Nashville, TN and the 2013 International Trombone Festival in Columbus, GA. Whitaker has also appeared as a performer and clinician at the Eastern Trombone Workshop twice and two International Trombone Festivals. Whitaker is in great demand as a guest artist and has appeared at some of the most prestigious music schools in the country including The Juilliard School, New England Conservatory, Yale University, Indiana University and many more.
As a soloist, Whitaker can be heard on numerous recordings including the 2013 release of his debut solo recording entitled “Nature’s Gift” with pianist Kevin Chance. He is a featured soloist on two recordings with the University of Alabama Wind Ensemble that include Anthony Barfield’s “Red Sky” and David Maslanka’s Concerto for Trombone and Wind Ensemble. These recordings are available at www.jonathanwhitaker.com.
In 2013, Whitaker gave the world premiere of James Stephenson’s Three Bones Concerto commissioned for the University of Alabama Wind Ensemble along with Joseph Alessi and Peter Ellefson. He also performed the work at the 2013 Eastern Trombone Workshop with the United States Army Band “The Pershing’s Own”, again with Alessi and Ellefson.
In 2012, Whitaker made his Carnegie Hall debut as a soloist at the New York Wind Band Festival. He has appeared as a soloist with all of the wind groups at Indiana University, the Augustana College Symphonic Band, the Purdue University Symphony Orchestra, the Henderson State University Wind Ensemble and performed a premier performance of John Mackey’s Harvest: Concerto for Trombone with the University of Alabama Wind Ensemble in the fall of 2010. He also performed the American premier of Johan de Meij’s T-Bone Concerto with the Murray State University Symphonic Wind Ensemble.
Whitaker has performed with the New York Philharmonic on two separate occasions. In 2012, he performed on the orchestra’s Opening Gala that was broadcast on Live from Lincoln Center on PBS with music director Alan Gilbert. In 2011, he performed on concerts featuring Bartok’s Bluebeard’s Castle with Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting. Whitaker is currently Principal Trombone of the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra. He performs regularly with the Alabama Symphony, Harrisburg Symphony (PA), Mobile Symphony (AL) and has also held positions and performed with the Arkansas Symphony, Pine Bluff Symphony (AR), Shreveport Symphony (LA), South Arkansas Symphony, Duluth-Superior Symphony (MN), Owensboro Symphony (KY), Evansville Philharmonic (IN), Richmond Symphony (IN), Jackson Symphony (TN) and the Paducah Symphony (KY).
As a chamber musician, Whitaker can be heard on Dee Stewart’s CD entitled D+ (Dee Plus) performing with the Indiana University Trombone Faculty and on two recordings by the Stentorian Consort Trombone Quartet.
Whitaker serves on the faculty of the Alessi Seminar. In 2005, he was selected as one of sixteen participants for the Seminar and was a featured soloist twice that year. From 2005-2013, Whitaker served as the chief administrator for the Seminar and is honored to now be on the faculty.
Dr. Whitaker holds degrees in trombone performance from Murray State University and the University of Minnesota and the Doctor of Music degree in Brass Pedagogy from Indiana University where he served as Associate Instructor of Trombone from 2001-2004. Dr. Whitaker’s primary teachers include Ray Conklin, Tom Ashworth, M. Dee Stewart, Peter Ellefson and Joseph Alessi with additional studies with Arnold Jacobs, Edward Kleinhammer, Michael Mulcahy, Charlie Vernon and Douglas Wright.
For more information about Dr. Whitaker, visit his website at www.jonathanwhitaker.com.
As a soloist, Whitaker can be heard on numerous recordings including the 2013 release of his debut solo recording entitled “Nature’s Gift” with pianist Kevin Chance. He is a featured soloist on two recordings with the University of Alabama Wind Ensemble that include Anthony Barfield’s “Red Sky” and David Maslanka’s Concerto for Trombone and Wind Ensemble. These recordings are available at www.jonathanwhitaker.com.
In 2013, Whitaker gave the world premiere of James Stephenson’s Three Bones Concerto commissioned for the University of Alabama Wind Ensemble along with Joseph Alessi and Peter Ellefson. He also performed the work at the 2013 Eastern Trombone Workshop with the United States Army Band “The Pershing’s Own”, again with Alessi and Ellefson.
In 2012, Whitaker made his Carnegie Hall debut as a soloist at the New York Wind Band Festival. He has appeared as a soloist with all of the wind groups at Indiana University, the Augustana College Symphonic Band, the Purdue University Symphony Orchestra, the Henderson State University Wind Ensemble and performed a premier performance of John Mackey’s Harvest: Concerto for Trombone with the University of Alabama Wind Ensemble in the fall of 2010. He also performed the American premier of Johan de Meij’s T-Bone Concerto with the Murray State University Symphonic Wind Ensemble.
Whitaker has performed with the New York Philharmonic on two separate occasions. In 2012, he performed on the orchestra’s Opening Gala that was broadcast on Live from Lincoln Center on PBS with music director Alan Gilbert. In 2011, he performed on concerts featuring Bartok’s Bluebeard’s Castle with Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting. Whitaker is currently Principal Trombone of the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra. He performs regularly with the Alabama Symphony, Harrisburg Symphony (PA), Mobile Symphony (AL) and has also held positions and performed with the Arkansas Symphony, Pine Bluff Symphony (AR), Shreveport Symphony (LA), South Arkansas Symphony, Duluth-Superior Symphony (MN), Owensboro Symphony (KY), Evansville Philharmonic (IN), Richmond Symphony (IN), Jackson Symphony (TN) and the Paducah Symphony (KY).
As a chamber musician, Whitaker can be heard on Dee Stewart’s CD entitled D+ (Dee Plus) performing with the Indiana University Trombone Faculty and on two recordings by the Stentorian Consort Trombone Quartet.
Whitaker serves on the faculty of the Alessi Seminar. In 2005, he was selected as one of sixteen participants for the Seminar and was a featured soloist twice that year. From 2005-2013, Whitaker served as the chief administrator for the Seminar and is honored to now be on the faculty.
Dr. Whitaker holds degrees in trombone performance from Murray State University and the University of Minnesota and the Doctor of Music degree in Brass Pedagogy from Indiana University where he served as Associate Instructor of Trombone from 2001-2004. Dr. Whitaker’s primary teachers include Ray Conklin, Tom Ashworth, M. Dee Stewart, Peter Ellefson and Joseph Alessi with additional studies with Arnold Jacobs, Edward Kleinhammer, Michael Mulcahy, Charlie Vernon and Douglas Wright.
For more information about Dr. Whitaker, visit his website at www.jonathanwhitaker.com.
Bruce Faske is Artist/Assistant Professor of Trombone at Arkansas State University, where he teaches applied trombone lessons, directs the trombone choir, and performs with the A-State Faculty Brass Quintet. He currently serves as Second Trombonist of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Principal Trombonist of the Delta Symphony Orchestra, first trombone of the Diamond Brass Band, and second trombonist of the Missouri Symphony Orchestra Hot Summer Nights Music Festival. Prior to A-State, he served as Adjunct Instructor of Trombone and Euphonium at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Faske has performed with the Dallas Opera, San Antonio Symphony, Tuscaloosa Symphony, Waco Symphony, the Lone Star Wind Orchestra, and fellowships with the Festival Institute at Round Top, TX and the National Music Festival in Chestertown, MD. In 2011 and 2013, he was a Participant in the Alessi Seminar, a week long, international workshop led by Joseph Alessi, Principal Trombonist of the New York Philharmonic. He has presented clinics for the Arkansas Bandmasters Association Convention, Arkansas Music Educators Association at the Arkansas State Music Convention, Arkansas Small Band Association All-Star Clinic, Big 12 Trombone Conference, and public school band programs in Texas, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.
Faske has given recitals and masterclasses at West Texas A&M University, Louisiana Tech University, Baylor University, Ouachita Baptist University, and Colorado State University, as well as solo performances with the Arkansas State University Wind Ensemble, the Diamond Brass Band, the Southeastern Symphonic Winds at the 2014 Southeastern Oklahoma Band Directors Association Clinic, the University of Alabama Wind Ensemble at the 2013 Alabama All State Festival, the Huxford Symphony Orchestra at the University of Alabama, the University of West Georgia Brass Ensemble, the Texas State University Concert Band, the Baylor Symphony Orchestra, and numerous public school bands. Bruce Faske earned degrees from the University of Alabama (DMA), Baylor University (MM), and Texas A&M University-Commerce (BSM). His teachers include Jonathan Whitaker, Brent Phillips, Jimmy Clark, John McCroskey, Joseph Cox, Don Lucas, and Larry Campbell.
Bruce Faske is a proud Trombone Artist for the Edwards Instrument Company, performing on the T-396A Alessi model trombone with Griego Mouthpieces.
Faske has given recitals and masterclasses at West Texas A&M University, Louisiana Tech University, Baylor University, Ouachita Baptist University, and Colorado State University, as well as solo performances with the Arkansas State University Wind Ensemble, the Diamond Brass Band, the Southeastern Symphonic Winds at the 2014 Southeastern Oklahoma Band Directors Association Clinic, the University of Alabama Wind Ensemble at the 2013 Alabama All State Festival, the Huxford Symphony Orchestra at the University of Alabama, the University of West Georgia Brass Ensemble, the Texas State University Concert Band, the Baylor Symphony Orchestra, and numerous public school bands. Bruce Faske earned degrees from the University of Alabama (DMA), Baylor University (MM), and Texas A&M University-Commerce (BSM). His teachers include Jonathan Whitaker, Brent Phillips, Jimmy Clark, John McCroskey, Joseph Cox, Don Lucas, and Larry Campbell.
Bruce Faske is a proud Trombone Artist for the Edwards Instrument Company, performing on the T-396A Alessi model trombone with Griego Mouthpieces.