Student Success

Each year, Western Michigan University trombone students earn accolades in local, national and international performances, competitions, and summer programs. Some of these recognitions are listed below.

2024

Senior Alyson Johnson has been awarded the trombone assistantship at Arizona State University for 2024-25. She will be studying from Dr. Brad Edwards as she pursues her master's degree in trombone performance.
Freshman trombone performance major Owen McDowell has been selected for the DC Trombone Workshop this summer. Owen has also been selected for the World Youth Wind Orchestra Project in Schladming, Austria from July 6-14.
Freshman Sophie Maxwell has been accepted into the DC Trombone Workshop. She will work with internationally-known faculty and have the opportunity to take private lessons, attend classes, and observe wonderful performances.
Freshman bass trombonist Dustin Moeckel has been selected as the bass trombonist for the National Symphony Orchestra's Summer Music Institute, a high-level program that gives free tuition to those who are selected. It is a summer orchestral training institute that provides the opportunity to work with members of the National Symphony Orchestra.
Congratulations to junior trombonist Gabe Funk for being accepted into the Credo National Music Festival 2024, held at the Symphony Center in Chicago this coming July. Gabe will have the opportunity to work with Megumi Kanda and many other talented musicians and professionals during his time at Credo.
Congratulations to senior trombone performance major Alyson Johnson on being named a finalist in the 2024 International Trombone Association's Larry Wiehe Solo Competition. Alyson will compete in the finals this May in Ft. Worth, Texas.

2023

For the second time, graduate student Ian Warshaw has been awarded the position of Associate Trombonist of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the training orchestra of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Congratulations to graduate student Destiny Miskel on being selected to attend the DC Trombone Workshop this July, a selective and intensive, six-day program of lessons, masterclasses, seminars, rehearsals, and performances
Graduate student Grant Keel has been awarded a full trombone assistantship to Florida State University for his doctorate. Grant will study with WMU graduate and newly-appointed FSU trombone professor Hana Beloglavec (BM '11).
Graduate student Ian Warshaw has been accepted into Roosevelt University in Chicago next year. At Roosevelt he will have the opportunity to study with Chicago Symphony Orchestra principal trombonist Jay Friedman, as well as Reed Capshaw and Ignacio del Rey. Ian received a full tuition scholarship, one of only a small percentage of students who receive such award there.
Congratulations to sophomore performance major Frankie Casucci on receiving a full scholarship to participate in the Kennedy Center/National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) National Trustees Summer Music Institute, a four-week program designed to expose and prepare students for a 21st Century career in orchestral music. The institute accepts only about 60 students from the US and abroad.
Trombone graduate student Grant Keel has been named 2nd Alternate in the International Trombone Association's Alto Trombone Competition. Grant was the only American to make the list, a list that was comprised of students from some of the world's renowned trombone programs.

2022

Bass trombonist Peter Sapkowski has been awarded a trombone assistantship to study at Youngstown State University, starting in the fall semester 2022.
Senior Alli Dotson has been awarded a trombone assistantship to study at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, starting in the fall semester 2022.
Congratulations to MM student Adam McCoy on advancing to the semifinals of the Southeast Trombone Symposium's SE Shires (under age 26) Solo Competition. Adam will now travel to Columbus, GA to compete this summer.
Congratulations to Alli Dotson on being named a semifinalist in the Southeast Trombone Symposium's SE Shires (under age 26) Solo Competition. Alli will now travel to Columbus, GA to compete this summer.
Graduate student Ian Warshaw has been selected as one of three finalists in the International Trombone Association's Lewis Van Haney Trombone Excerpt Competition, one of two Americans to be recognized on the list. Ian will now travel in July to the International Trombone Festival to compete against students from the Conservatory in Amsterdam and Rice University.
Based on the strength of his recorded entry, graduate student Ian Warshaw has been invited to audition for the St. Louis Symphony principal trombone audition.

2021(Covid)

First-year graduate student Ian Warshaw has been awarded the position of Associate Trombonist of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the training orchestra of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Ian will start the second year of his degree at Western in the fall and will travel to Chicago as needed for concerts or other commitments.
Senior performance major Justin Hamann has received a trombone assistantship at Florida State University, where he will start a master's degree and teach undergraduate trombonists next year. Justin will join 2020 WMU trombone graduate Chase West as graduate assistants at FSU, so the WMU trombone studio will be well represented at one of the largest school of music programs in the country.
Sophomore performance major Alayna O'Connell has been selected on one of the School of Music Concerto Competition winners, and she will be a featured soloist on the Concert Concert in April 2021.

2020

Sophomore bass trombonist Sydney Grenier has been selected to participate in the 2021 DC Trombone Workshop in Washington, DC. This comes as a result of her audition recording that was submitted to the event faculty.
With the cancellation of this summer's International Trombone Festival, senior performance major Nathaniel Chiu has been named a co-winner in the ITA's Larry Wiehe Solo Competition. Congratulations to Nathaniel.
Congratulations to master's trombone performance major Chase West who has been offered, and has accepted, a trombone assistantship to attend Florida State University.
Senior Ben Hahn has received outstanding financial packages to attend several well-known graduate schools. He has decided to attend the University of Iowa, where he will be the trombone studio teaching graduate assistant starting in the fall, 2020.
Following a national audition, graduate performance major Tony Colella has won a position in the trombone section of one of the premier military bands in the United States, the US Army Field Band. The US Army Field Band is an elite 65-member instrumental ensemble that has performed in all 50 states and 25 foreign countries for audiences totaling more than 100 million. Tours have taken the band throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe, the Far East, and India.
Freshman Alayna O'Connell has been named the Honorable Mention selection in the International Trombone Association's Gilberto Gagliardi International Solo Competition. With over 40 applicants, only two other US student trombonists finished higher (from Indiana University and New England Conservatory respectively), ranking her in a very elite group.
Senior performance major Nathaniel Chiu has been selected as one of three finalists in the International Trombone Association's Larry Wiehe Solo Competition. Nathaniel will now travel to Osaka, Japan this coming July to compete against two other finalists from The Curtis Institute of Music and the Hochschule für Musik in Hannover (Germany) respectively.
Senior performance major Ben Hahn has been named the 1st Alternate selection in the International Trombone Association's Larry Wiehe Solo Competition. Ben placed near the top of the pack over most of the 30 competitors from all over the world who were competing.
Freshman trombonist Alayna O'Connell has been named as one of three finalists in the US Army Band's prestigious National Trombone Solo Competition, Division 1. As a result, she will travel to Washington, D.C. in March to compete for the top prize. Of the three finalists chosen from throughout the country, two are from the WMU trombone studio.
Freshman trombonist Alyson Johnson has been named as one of three finalists in the US Army Band's prestigious National Trombone Solo Competition, Division 1. As a result, she will travel to Washington, D.C. in March to compete for the top prize. Of the three finalists chosen from throughout the country, two are from the WMU trombone studio.

2019

Congratulations to graduate student Tony Colella for being invited to the live audition round for the highly competitive US Army Field Band in Washington, D.C. this next February. This invitation was a result of his recorded audition that was submitted several weeks earlier.
Two WMU trombone students were accepted into the DC Trombone Workshop this summer. They include Omar Elmusa and Chase West. Chase received a merit scholarship and an assistantship to attend and participate. Both he and Omar will receive two private lessons with the faculty and/or guest artists, masterclass and solo opportunities, play with the faculty in orchestral rep classes and trombone choir, and have daily faculty chamber music coaching.
Senior bass trombonist Vicente Hernandez has received a 75% graduate assistantship plus a yearly scholarship to attend Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for his master's degree. While at Duquesne Vicente will have the opportunity to study from Pittsburgh Symphony bass trombonist Jeff Dee and tenor trombonist Jim Nova.
Congratulations to graduate trombone performance major Chase West for being accepted as a Participant (highest level) at the Third Coast Trombone Retreat. As a participant Chase will receive two lessons with TCTR faculty members as well as perform in two faculty masterclasses and at least one guest artist masterclass. He will also have an opportunity to perform a solo work on the "Collage" Concert and will be placed in a chamber group that will also perform. Trombone faculty at the event include Tim Higgins (San Francisco Symphony), James Markey (Boston Symphony) and several other renowned players and teachers.
Senior Omar Elmusa has received several substantial financial awards to top universities and conservatories to pursue his master's degree. Omar has decided to accept a sizable scholarship at DePaul University. Congratulations to Omar!
Junior trombone performance major Nathaniel Chiu has been recognized as the Honorable Mention selection in the International Trombone Association's Larry Wiehe Trombone Competition. Nathaniel and WMU trombonist Ben Hahn were the only two trombonists from the United States to be recognized in the competition. The others were from Asia, South American and Europe.
Junior trombone performance major Ben Hahn has been recognized as the 2nd Alternate selection in the International Trombone Association's Larry Wiehe Trombone Competition. Ben and WMU trombonist Nathaniel Chiu were the only two trombonists from the United States to be recognized in the competition. The others were from Asia, South American and Europe.

2018

Senior trombone performance major Connor Clayton has been admitted with a full scholarship to attend the Academy of Music and Drama at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, where he will study with one of Europe's most well-known trombone teachers, Ingemar Roos. Congratulations Connor!
Congratulations to master's tenor trombonist Will Ford and senior bass trombonist Vicente Hernandez. Both have been awarded trombone assistantships to attend Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. At Louisiana State University both Will and Vicente will be studying from 2011 WMU trombone graduate and LSU trombone professor Hana Beloglavec.
Senior trombonist Tim Wight has been awarded a full scholarship (tuition and fees) to attend Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas over the next two year. Tim will be studying with retired Dallas Symphony Orchestra principal trombonist John Kitzman during the study of his master's degree in Dallas. In addition, Tim was recently informed that he has been named a finalist in the White Lake Young Artist Solo Competition in Montague, MI. Congratulations to Tim!
Senior bass trombonist Gabe Guglielmina has been selected into the Professional Performance Certificate program at Penn State University. At Penn State Gabe will be studying with well-known bass trombonist Mark Lusk.
Congratulations to Tim Wight, Vicente Hernandez and Omar Elmusa on being selected to the top Participant Class at the Southeast Trombone Symposium this summer. As members of the Participant Class, they will have the chance to work with George Curran (NY Philharmonic bass trombonist), Colin Williams (NY Philharmonic Assistant Principal trombonist), Brad Palmer (Columbus State University), and Nathan Zgonc (Associate Principal and 2nd trombonist, Atlanta Symphony). According to the STS Facebook page, in addition to the Participant and Performer Classes, there were so many applicants and high-quality recordings submitted that organizers decided to add a third Artist Class this year. Tim, Vicente and Omar will also be eligible to compete in the S.E.Shires Solo Competition and Orchestral Excerpts Competition during the event.
Freshman trombone performance major Joseph Stoltz has been admitted into the 26th Annual Atlantic Brass Quintet Summer Seminar. The Seminar is a competitive two-week program held at Lawrence University Conservatory of Music that allows participants to work with members of the Atlantic Brass Quintet.
Congratulations to senior performance major Tim Wight, who has been selected as a finalist in the International Trombone Association's prestigious Larry Wiehe Solo Competition. Tim will now compete against two other finalists from the country of Germany and from the University of North Texas respectively for the top prize. The winner will receive a new trombone worth up to $5,000.
Congratulations to sophomore performance major Ben Hahn for being selected as the 1st Alternate (4th place) in the International Trombone Association's Larry Wiehe Solo Competition. Ben's selection means that two of the top four competition selections are studio members at Western Michigan University.

2017

WMU trombone graduate student Will Ford has been invited to perform this summer with the American Wind Symphony Orchestra. He will join fellow graduate student Jared Dalgleish as members of the trombone section. The AWSO is a highly-selective ensemble comprised of top college and university students throughout the country.
The WMU Trombone Choir has been selected to perform a full-length concert at the 2018 American Trombone Workshop in Washington, DC in March 2018.
Graduate student Tylar Bullion and senior Vicente Hernandez have been selected to perform at the Carowinds Amusement Park in Charlotte, NC this summer,
For the second year in a row, junior tenor trombonist Connor Clayton has been admitted to the 2017 Domaine Forget International Music Festival, held in Saint-Irénée, Quebec, Canada. Domaine Forget has an impressive listing of trombone faculty, including Peter Sullivan (Pittsburgh Symphony), Jesper Busk Sorensen (Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra), and Pierre Beaudry (Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal).
Junior tenor trombonist Tim Wight has been selected to perform in the Round Top Festival Institute Symphony Orchestra, the internationally-acclaimed music institute for aspiring young orchestral musicians and distinguished faculty. Tim is one of two tenor trombonists to be accepted into Round Top for this summer's event. At Round Top Tim will have the opportunity to study with Dallas Symphony Orchestra principal trombonist (retired) John Kitzman, as well as Lee Rogers of the Kennedy Center Orchestra.
Congratulation to WMU trombone graduate student Jared Dalgleish, who has been invited back to perform with the American Wind Symphony Orchestra for the second year in a row. The AWSO is a highly selective ensemble comprised of top college and university students throughout the country. This summer they will tour throughout the Great Lakes region.
For the second year in the row, junior trombone performance major Tim Wight has been recognized as an Alternate selection in the International Trombone Association's Larry Wiehe Solo Competition. Placing ahead of Tim were four students from Vanderbilt University, Baylor University, and the countries of Venezuela, and Germany respectively.

2016

Congratulations to M.M. trombone student Jared Dalgleish for being accepted as a Participant to this year's Eastman Trombone Institute, held at the Eastman School of Music in July. As a Participant he will be performing on two masterclasses and taking a trombone lesson from one of the faculty, which will include Toronto Symphony trombonist Vanessa Fralick and Eastman trombone faculty Larry Zalkind and Mark Kellogg.
Bass trombonist A J Muusse has been admitted as a Participant to this year's competitive Third Coast Trombone Retreat. The retreat features an all-star lineup of artists, including bass trombonists James Markey (Boston Symphony Orchestra), Randy Hawes (Detroit Symphony Orchestra), Jeff Dee (Buffalo Philharmonic), and tenor trombonists Ken Thompkins and David Bender (Detroit Symphony Orchestra), John Sebastian Vera (Pittsburgh Opera), and Lee Rogers (Washington National Opera).
Tim Wight has been selected as an Associate at the Cleveland Trombone Seminar this summer, where he will have the opportunity to work with the Cleveland Orchestra's Shachar Israel, Nitsan Haroz of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra bass trombonist Randy Hawes, Steve Lange of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and Mark Lusk of Penn State University.
Senior bass trombonist Austin J. Muusse has been awarded a trombone fellowship to attend the University of Michigan for his master's degree. As a result, he will attend tuition-free. He was also awarded large assistantships to two of the country's top music schools, and a 3/4 scholarship to a third major program.
WMU trombone student Jared Dalgleish has been chosen to perform with the American Wind Symphony Orchestra this summer. Jared will travel with the AWSO starting on June 20, and the season will conclude on July 31 in St. Louis, Missouri, where there will be celebrations for the reopening of the refurbished Gateway Arch.
Undergraduate trombonist Connor Clayton has been informed that he is an alternate selection for the American Wind Symphony Orchestra.
Congratulations to Connor Clayton for being admitted to the 2016 Domaine Forget International Music Festival, held in Saint-Irénée, Quebec, Canada. Domaine Forget has an impressive listing of trombone faculty, including UK trombonist Ian Bousefield, Scott Hartman from Yale University, and Pierre Beaudry, bass trombonist of the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal. This is the second year in a row a WMU trombonist was admitted to Domaine Forget.
Sophomore tenor trombonist Tim Wight has been named the 2nd Alternate selection (5th place) in the International Trombone Association's Larry Wiehe Solo Competition. Tim placed in an impressive group of international candidates from the US, Venezuela, Portugal, and Brazil.

2015

Congratulations to WMU bass trombonist Evan Clifton for progressing through several rounds of auditions and being named a co-winner in the Cleveland Trombone Seminar mock orchestral audition. During the final section round Evan had the opportunity to play with Shachar Israel of the Cleveland Orchestra, Steve Lange of the Boston Symphony, and Blair Bollinger of the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Sophomore tenor trombonist Nick Dewyer was selected as the winner of the 2nd trombone position with the Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra.
Senior bass trombonist Evan Clifton was selected as the winner of the bass trombone chair with the Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra.
Both Anibal Hernandez and Evan Clifton have been accepted into the Third Coast Trombone Retreat as Partners, the top level of all applicants. As partners, they will have the opportunity to have two lessons with Third Coast Trombone Retreat faculty members as well as performance in both faculty masterclasses and at least one guest artist masterclass.
Sophomore trombone performance major Nick Dewyer has been selected as an alternate for the prestigious Bar Harbor Brass Week in Bar Harbor, Maine.
Senior bass trombone performance major Evan Clifton and graduate student performance majors Anibal Hernandez and Leland Matsumura have been accepted into the 2015 Cleveland Trombone Seminar as Participants.
Sophomore bass trombone performance major James Wilson and sophomore tenor trombone performance major Nick Dewyer have been accepted into the 2015 Cleveland Trombone Seminar as Associates.
Evan Clifton has been accepted to two of the most competitive bass trombone studios in the country to begin his master's degree after receiving significant financial awards to each. Evan has decided to attend Northwestern University next year.
Congratulations to WMU senior bass trombonist Evan Clifton, who was chosen as a semifinalist for the prestigious New World Symphony. As a semifinalist, he was named as a sub with the organization.
Congratulations to WMU trombone graduate student Rob Medd on being selected to the 2015 Domaine Forget Brass Session in Saint-Irénée, Quebec, Canada. While at Domaine Forget Rob will have the opportunity to study with New York Philharmonic trombonist Joe Alessi, Berlin Philharmonic's Jesper Busk Sørensen, and Pierre Beaudry of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra.
Senior bass trombone performance major Evan Clifton has been named one of three finalists in the International Trombone Association's Donald Yaxley Solo Competition. Evan will travel to Valencia, Spain this July to compete against students from Rotterdam, The Netherlands and The Juilliard School in the final round.
Evan Clifton has been recognized as the honorable mention selection in the International Trombone Association's Edward Kleinhammer Orchestra Bass Trombone Competition.

2014

Freshman Nick Dewyer has been named the winner of the International Trombone Association's Larry Wiehe Solo Competition (to age 23), marking the second time in five years a WMU trombonist has won this particular competition.
Graduate student Rob Medd has been accepted into this summer's Cleveland Trombone Seminar as a Participant.
Congratulations to sophomore A. J. Muusse for being selected into the Cleveland Trombone Seminar as a Participant this coming June.
Senior bass trombonist Aaron Buczek has been admitted to the master's trombone program at the University of Michigan, where he will be a trombone graduate assistant.
Congratulations to senior bass trombone major Aaron Buczek. Aaron has been named one of three finalists in the International Trombone Association's Donald Yaxley Bass Trombone Solo Competition (to age 25). Aaron will compete this June at The Eastman School of Music against the other two finalists from Northwestern University and DePaul University respectively.
Junior bass trombone student Evan Clifton has been selected as the bass trombonist in the Round Top Festival Institute Symphony Orchestra, the internationally-acclaimed music institute for aspiring young orchestral musicians and distinguished faculty.
Freshman Nick Dewyer has been selected as one of three finalists in the International Trombone Association's Gagliardi Solo Competition. Nick will now travel to The Eastman School of Music this June to compete against the other two finalists from The Juilliard School and the country of Norway respectively.
Congratulations once again to Nick Dewyer for being selected as one of three finalists in a SECOND ITA competition, the Larry Wiehe Solo Competition. Nick will now compete a second time at The Eastman School of Music.
Nick Dewyer has been selected as one of three finalists in the U.S. Army Band's National Trombone Solo Competition, division I. Nick will compete for the top award in mid-March, 2014 at the home of the U.S. Army Band, Ft. Myer, VA.
Congratulations to junior bass trombonist Evan Clifton on being selected as a winner in the School of Music's Concerto Competition. Evan will now be a featured soloist with the WMU Symphony Orchestra on the April 13 concert.

2013

Freshman Nick Dewyer has been recognized as a finalist in the Eastern Trombone Workshop's National Trombone Solo Competition, Division I. Nick and two other finalists will compete for the top prize in Washington, D.C. this coming March.
Congratulations to junior bass trombone performance major Evan Clifton who has been selected as the winner of the Lansing Symphony Orchestra bass trombone opening.
Congratulations to WMU trombone graduate student Anibal Hernandez for being selected as one of a handful of performers for the 2013 Northwestern University Summer Trombone Workshop. Anibal's selection came a result of his pre-recorded audition of orchestral repertoire and a prepared solo. At the event, he will have the opportunity to perform for Chicago Symphony Orchestra trombonist Michael Mulcahy. He will also be training for orchestral auditions, and he will participate in master classes focusing on the interpretation of solo literature and chamber music.
Sophomore bass trombonist Evan Clifton has been informed by Cleveland Orchestra trombonist Shachar Israel that he has been admitted to the Cleveland Trombone Seminar this summer as a participant and also awarded a scholarship. His admission to the Seminar is a result of a pre-recorded audition consisting of orchestral excerpts and one solo work. At the Seminar, he will have the opportunity to work with Shachar Israel, Boston Symphony Orchestra principal trombonist Toby Oft, Haim Avitsur, and others.
Congratulations to "postgraduate" student Nate Musch for being named a finalist in the International Trombone Association's ITA Alto Trombone Competition. Nate will compete in the finals in Columbus, Georgia against students from The Colburn School and the Janacek Academy of Music and Performance Arts Brno.
Sophomore performance major Luke Marlowe has been named an Honorable Mention selection in the International Trombone Association's Larry Wiehe Solo Competition.

2012

Master's student and April 2012 graduate Caitlin Miekstyn has been hired to teach at Glen Oaks Community College in Centreville, Michigan.
Congratulations to graduating senior Eric Bowman for winning the International Trombone Association's Frank Smith Solo Competition today held in Paris, France. In addition to Eric, the competition, for students age 25 and under, featured graduate students from the Eastman School of Music and the University of New Mexico respectively. It featured a distinguished panel of European judges, including the composer of the required work Roger Boutry. Eric will now take home a new Schilke trombone as his prize.
Congratulations to graduating master's student Nate Musch for winning the trombone teaching position at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI.
Congrats to Nate Musch for being accepted into the Northwestern University Summer Trombone Master Classes, taught by Michael Mulcahy. Nate's acceptance was based on his taped audition of five orchestral excerpts, as well as his recording of the Martin Ballade. Great work!
Eric Bowman has received a full tuition waiver to attend the University of Miami, Florida, where he will major in jazz studies for his master's degree.
Senior trombonist Alyssa Madeira has won a graduate music assistantship at the University of Massachusetts, and she will be starting her graduate degree there this fall. Congratulations on all your success!
Congratulations to Eric Bowman for being selected as a finalist in his 2nd International Trombone Association competition for 2012, the J. J. Johnson Jazz Competition.
Senior trombone performance major Eric Bowman has been notified that he's a finalist in the International Trombone Association's Frank Smith Solo Competition for students 25 and under. Eric will now be traveling to Paris, France, along with Kirsten Schaffert and Evan Clifton to compete in July. Awesome work, Eric!
WMU graduate student Erik Dancy has won the 2nd alternate (5th place) recognition in the International Trombone Association's Larry Wiehe Solo Competition. Outstanding work, Erik!
For the 2nd year in a row, WMU graduate student Nate Musch has been selected as an honorable mention selection in the International Trombone Association's Lewis Van Haney Philharmonic Prize Competition. Congrats on your continued success, Nate!
A. J. Muusse has been recognized as the honorable mention selection in the International Trombone Association's George Roberts Bass Trombone Solo Competition. AJ is a high school student of both Dr. Wolfinbarger and Grand Rapids Symphony trombonist Dan Mattson, and he is a member of the WMU Trombone Choir. Well deserved!!
Senior tenor trombonist Kirsten Schaffert has been named a finalist in the International Trombone Association's Larry Wiehe Solo Competition. She'll compete against two other students in the finals in Paris, France this July. This is the same competition that Hana Beloglavec won two years earlier. Please congratulate Kirsten on her achievements. What an honor!
Freshman bass trombonist Evan Clifton has been named a finalist in the 2012 International Trombone Association's George Roberts Bass Trombone Competition. He'll be competing in July over in Paris, France, for the top prize against students from The Juilliard School and the United Kingdom respectively. This is the same competition that was won by WMU sophomore bass trombonist Derek Lyp last year. Please congratulate Evan. What an achievement!
Congratulations to senior trombonist Alyssa Madeira after being interviewed and then hired by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra front offices. Alyssa will be working part-time in their Marketing Department from here in Kalamazoo while she completes her undergraduate degree work from Western this semester. Please congratulate Alyssa the next time you see her.
Congratulations to Kirsten Schaffert for being selected as the School of Music's Presidential Scholar for 2012, WMU's highest academic award. As one of 46 Presidential Scholars throughout the entire university, she will be honored by President Dunn in a special reception in March 2012. The award is based on academic or artistic excellence in the student's respective major and intellectual and/or artistic promise. Kirsten is the second trombonist in three years to win the Presidential Scholar award.

2011

Freshman bass/tenor trombone Evan Clifton has been selected as one of three finalists in the Eastern Trombone Workshop's National Bass Trombone Solo Competition, Division I. He will now compete in the competition finals in March 2012 in Washington, D.C. What an honor!
Sophomore bass trombone performance major Derek Lyp was chosen as the 1st place winner in the International Trombone Association's George Roberts Bass Trombone Competition, held at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. Congratulations to Derek!
Eric Bowman has been notified of receiving another major honor. For the second year in a row, Eric has received the prestigious Downbeat Award for outstanding performance in the Undergraduate College Instrumental Jazz Soloist category, presented by Downbeat Magazine.
Hana Beloglavec has received word of yet another major achievement. Hana is one of two tenor trombonists to be selected into the highly competitive Master of Music program at the Yale School of Music. Students who are admitted to the program pay no tuition and receive a sizable fellowship to go toward expenses. At Yale, Hana will be a trombone student of Scott Hartman. What an honor!
Kirsten Schaffert has been nominated by the School of Music faculty as one of four finalists for the School of Music's Senior Award, based on artistic and academic excellence and promise.
Trombone performance major Hana Beloglavec has been selected as one of two tenor trombonists to attend the renowned International Festival Institute at Round Top, one of the elite summer programs for aspiring professional orchestral musicians.
First-year graduate student Nate Musch has been selected as an honorable mention selection in the prestigious International Trombone Association's Lewis Van Haney Philharmonic Prize competition. Congratulations on the impressive achievement!
Performance major Eric Bowman has been recognized as the 1st Alternate (4th place) in the prestigious International Trombone Association's Lewis Van Haney Philharmonic Prize competition. What an honor!
Bass trombone performance major Derek Lyp has been named one of three finalists in the International Trombone Association's George Roberts Solo Competition. He will now be competing for the top prize at the 2011 International Trombone Festival in Nashville, TN this coming June. Congratulations Derek!
Trombone performance major Hana Beloglavec has been informed of receiving WMU's highest academic award, the 2010-2011 Presidential Scholar Award. As one of 46 Presidential Scholars throughout the entire university, she will be honored by President Dunn in a special reception in March 2011. The award is based on academic or artistic excellence in the student's respective major and intellectual and/or artistic promise (see article here).

2010

Brian Wagner has been hired at Cornerstone University to teach trombone, low brass, and brass methods. Congratulations!
Congratulations to Hana Beloglavec on winning her SECOND International Trombone Association solo competition. Hana was awarded the 1st place prize in the Larry Wiehe Solo Trombone Competition, held at the International Trombone Festival in Austin, TX. As a result, she won a new King 3B tenor trombone.
Congratulations to bass trombonist Evan Dorner for being accepted as a performer into the competitive Pokorny Low Brass Seminar 2010, held at the University of Redlands in California. As a result, Evan will get to work with and perform for Chicago Symphony Orchestra low brass members Gene Pokorny (tuba) and Michael Mulcahy (trombone), and Detroit Symphony Orchestra bass trombonist Randy Hawes.
Eric Bowman was recently notified of receiving TWO major honors. He received the prestigious Downbeat Award for outstanding performance in the Undergraduate College Instrumental Jazz Soloist category presented by Downbeat Magazine. He also received the honorable mention selection in the competitive Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition.
Master's trombone performance major Jeremy Marks has been accepted into the doctoral trombone program at three major music schools. He has decided to attend the University of Texas, Austin for his doctorate.
Master's trombone performance major Brian Wagner has been accepted into the doctoral trombone program at Michigan State University.
Congratulations to junior trombone majors Adam Lenz, Hana Beloglavec and Eric Bowman for being selected for three of the four competitive School of Music Senior Music Awards. The award results will be announced at the Student Awards Convocation. Award amounts will total $4,500, $1,000, $800, and $500 respectively.
Junior trombone performance major Hana Beloglavec has been selected to participate in the very competitive Bar Harbor Brass Week, featuring both Matt Vaughn and Blair Bollinger of the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Congratulations to Hana Beloglavec for being named a finalist in the International Trombone Association's Larry Wiehe Trombone Competition. Hana will now compete against two other finalists for the 1st place prize at the International Trombone Festival held at the University of Texas in Austin this July.
Congratulations to WMU junior trombone performance major Eric Bowman for being selected as one of three finalists in the National Solo Jazz Competition, held at the Eastern Trombone Workshop in Washington, D.C.

2009

Congratulations to the WMU Trombone Choir for receiving an invitation to perform a recital at the Eastern Trombone Workshop in Washington, D.C., March 17-20, 2010.
Sophomore trombonist Adam Lenz just completed a trip to Yerevan, Armenia to do research on Aram Khachaturian's rare and unrecorded chamber music and to gather sheet music for a new ensemble in which he will participate. The trip was research for his Honors College thesis project (see Random Studio Photos II for pictures from the trip).
Junior performance major Eric Bowman has won 1st place in the International Trombone Association's prestigious Carl Fontana Jazz Trombone Competition, held at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Aarhus, Denmark. (News release: http://www.wmich.edu/wmu/news/2009/08/006.html)
Bass trombonist Evan Conroy has received word of yet another honor. Evan won the only bass trombonist opening this year for the highly competitive Orchestral Performance Program at the Manhattan School of Music. The program is designed to provide orchestral training at a post-conservatory level. In addition, Evan recently received word that he won the ONLY bass trombone opening this year at the renowned Juilliard School of Music to study with New York Philharmonic bass trombonist James Markey. Both schools have also offered him very attractive financial packages to attend.
Sophomore performance major Hana Beloglavec has been named the winner of the Division II level of the U.S. Army Band's National Trombone Solo Competition, held at the Eastern Trombone Workshop in Washington, D.C. Hana performed the Persichetti, Parable in two very competitive live rounds of competition at the U.S. Army Band headquarters at Ft. Myer. What an honor!
Congratulations to bass trombonist Matt Evans for receiving a substantial scholarship to study with retired Cleveland Orchestra principal trombonist Jim DeSano at The Oberlin Conservatory of Music.
Congratulations to graduate student Claudia Schmitz for being awarded the School of Music's Graduate Award for Excellence in Leadership/Service.
Congratulations to sophomore Eric Bowman for being named a finalist in TWO International Trombone Association competitions: Robert Marsteller Solo Competition and the Carl Fontana Jazz Trombone Competition. He will now compete against two other students in each category at the International Trombone Festival in Aarhus, Denmark in June.
Congratulations to freshman Kirsten Schaffert for being named as an honorable mention in the International Trombone Association's Gilberto Gagliardi Solo Competition.
Congratulations to sophomore trombone performance major Hana Beloglavec for being selected as one of five semifinalists in the U.S. Army Band's National Solo Competition. She will now compete against four other students in Washington, D.C. this March.

2008

Congratulations to freshman trombone performance major Hana Beloglavec for being selected as one of the winners in the prestigious Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition. She will now receive an all-expense-paid trip in June to compete against the other seven winners for a grand prize worth $5,000.
High school senior Zach Land has been accepted into the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and awarded a scholarship to attend.
High school junior bass trombonist Matt Evans has been selected for the prestigious summer program at Tanglewood in Massachusetts.
Master's student Chris Green has received a full-tuition scholarship to study under Jeannie Little at Louisiana State University as he works toward his doctorate.
Junior bass trombone major Evan Conroy has been selected the bass trombonist to attend the renowned International Festival Institute at Round Top, one of the elite summer programs for aspiring professional musicians. He has also been selected as the alternate at the Chautauqua Institute.
Congratulations to junior bass trombone performance major Evan Conroy for winning the Division II level of the Eastern Trombone Workshop's National Trombone Solo Competition, a competition held in Washington DC and sponsored by the US Army Band. What an honor!
Congratulations to freshman trombone performance major Eric Bowman. Eric has been named one of three finalists in the International Trombone Association's Gilberto Gagliardi Solo Competition. Eric will compete against two other finalists at the 2008 International Trombone Festival in Salt Lake City, Utah in late May.
Congratulations to junior bass trombone performance major Evan Conroy for being named one of three finalists in the International Trombone Association's Donald Yaxley Bass Trombone Solo Competition. Evan will compete against two other finalists at the 2008 International Trombone Festival in Salt Lake City, Utah in late May. Evan has also been named winner of the School of Music's concerto competition, sponsored by the University Symphony Orchestra. He will perform his winning selection, the Thom Ritter George Concerto for Bass Trombone, at the April 13 USO concert.
Congratulations to freshman trombone performance major Hana Beloglavec for being chosen as an honorable mention selection in the International Trombone Association's Larry Wiehe Solo Competition (to age 23).

2007

Brandon Drew was one of two collegiate instrumentalists recognized as outstanding soloists at the 2007 Detroit International Jazz Festival in August. As a result, Brandon won a cash prize for his success. The Festival's other outstanding soloist was WMU trumpeter Terrence Massey. Both performed as members of the WMU Jazz Octet.
Congratulations to incoming freshman Hana Beloglavec for winning 1st place in the International Trombone Association's prestigious Gilberto Gagliardi Solo Competition for students 18 and under. The competition was held at the International Trombone Festival on June 1, 2007, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
2006 trombone graduate Shawn Bell has been chosen for the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Workshop, held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC.
Adam Houk has accepted a scholarship to join Mark Fisher's trombone studio at DePaul University in Chicago where he will begin work on his master's degree in trombone performance.
Andy Mitchell has accepted the trombone assistantship at Florida State University where he will begin work on his master's degree in trombone performance.
Congratulations to bass trombonist Evan Conroy and tenor trombonist Hana Beloglavec for finishing in 2nd place in their respective divisions at the National Trombone Solo Competition, held at the Eastern Trombone Workshop in Washington, DC on March 22-23, 2007. Evan and Hana gave terrific performances of their solos in tough competition during the semifinal and final rounds. The event is sponsored by the US Army Band.
Hana Beloglavec has been named a finalist for the second year in a row in the International Trombone Association's Gilberto Gagliardi Solo Competition. Hana has also been named a semifinalist in the National Trombone Solo Competition, sponsored by the US Army Band in Washington, DC. She will compete against four other semifinalists in competition at the Eastern Trombone Workshop in late March. She is also been named the winner of the Grand Rapids Symphonic Band's Youth Soloist Competition.
Bass trombone performance major Evan Conroy has been named a semifinalist in the National Trombone Solo Competition, sponsored by the US Army Band in Washington, DC. He will compete against four other semifinalists at the Eastern Trombone Workshop in late March.
Ruth Lindgren has been named as the 1st Alternate in the International Trombone Association's Larry Wiehe/King Trombone Solo Competition.

2006

Congratulations to high school senior Hana Beloglavec, winner of the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition. She will be the featured soloist with the orchestra on their February 18, 2007 concert. Hana will be a freshman trombone performance major at WMU in the fall.
Senior Chris Van Hof has accepted the trombone assistantship to attend the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where he will be pursuing a master's degree in trombone performance.
Senior Ruth Lindgren has been awarded either a trombone assistantship or a large scholarship to several major music schools. However, she has decided to remain in Kalamazoo after accepting an assistantship at WMU. She will be pursuing her master's degree in trombone performance over the next two years.
Senior trombone performance major Andy Mitchell has been chosen as an alternate for the renowned National Orchestral Institute for the second year in a row. He was also chosen as a semi-finalist for the 2006 National Solo Competition, sponsored by the US Army Band and the Eastern Trombone Workshop.
Senior jazz performance major Shawn Bell was chosen as a 2nd Alternate in the International Trombone Association's ITA/Rath Jazz Trombone Competition.
High school junior Hana Beloglavec (student of Dr. Wolfinbarger) was selected as one of three finalists in the International Trombone Association's Gilberto Gagliardi Trombone Competition. She will now compete for the award at the 2006 International Trombone Festival this July in Birmingham, England. Hana was also selected as the winner of the Kalamazoo Concert Band's 2006 Youth Soloist Auditions, winning the $1,000 first prize award. She will perform her winning selection at the April 8 Kalamazoo Concert Band concert.

2005

Sophomore performance major Brandon Drew was selected as one of three finalists in the International Trombone Association's Larry Wiehe Trombone Competition. The finals were held at the 2005 International Trombone Festival, held in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Freshman performance major Meghan McClish was chosen as a finalist in the Music Club of Detroit's 2005 Bohemian's Solo Competition.
Graduate student performance major Mike Haisten was chosen as a semi-finalist in the 2005 National Solo Competition, sponsored by the US Army Band and the Eastern Trombone Workshop.
Congratulations to the WMU Trombone Choir, winner of the 2005 Downbeat Award in the Chamber Music division.