Achievements

  • Leland Matsumura (MM '16)
  • Neil Maxa, trombone

    Neil Maxa (BM '88): Las Vegas trombonist with an impressive career, backing up and performing with some of the most well-known musicians, entertainers, international recording artists, bands and productions in the world.

  • Jeremy Marks, tenor trombone

    Jeremy Marks (MM'10): Assistant Professor of Trombone at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte. 

  • Eric Bowman

    Eric Bowman (BM'12), winner of two International Trombone Association Competitions. Finalist in the National Trombone Solo Competition. Two-time winner of Downbeat Magazine's prestigious Downbeat Award for the outstanding performance.

STUDENT AND ALUMNI ACCOMPLISHMENTS

University positions held by former trombone students
Currently
Alabama State University
Ball State University
Calvin College
California State University, Bakersfield
Clarion University
Conservatorio J. Guadalupe Velázquez (Mexico)
Cornerstone University
Duke University
Florida State University
Jacksonville State University
Lenoir-Rhyne University
Lone Star College (TX)
Seattle Pacific University
Southern University
Tarleton State University
Universidad Autonoma de Queretaro (Mexico)
University of Central Arkansas
University of the Cumberlands
University of Minnesota (non-trombone)
University of Massachusetts (non-trombone)
University of Michigan, Flint
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina, Charlotte
University of North Florida
University of Notre Dame (non-trombone)
Youngstown State University
 
Past university positions held
Blinn College
Colorado State University
Dickinson State University
Harper College
Louisiana State University
Midwestern State University
Morningside College
Music Conservatory, State College in Queretaro (Mexico)
Nazareth College
Nicholls State University
North Central College
Southeastern Oklahoma University
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (Brazil)
University of Alaska, Fairbanks
University of Georgia
University of Louisiana, Monroe
University of North Carolina, Pembroke
University of South Dakota
University of Southern Arkansas
University of Wisconsin, Platteville
Vandercook College
 

Major studio competition achievements

Summary: Trombone students of Dr. Wolfinbarger have been finalists in the prestigious International Trombone Association solo competitions 26 times, winning the top prize on nine occasions. They have been recognized as either an alternate or an honorable mention on 19 other occasions. In total, they have been recognized a total of 44 times spread out over 11 different ITA competitions.
 
Students chosen as winner in the International Trombone Association solo competitions
Frank Smith Solo Competition (3)
Larry Wiehe Solo Competition (3)
Gagliardi Solo Competition 
Marsteller Solo Competition
George Roberts Bass Trombone Solo Competition 
Carl Fontana Jazz Competition

Students chosen as finalists in the International Trombone Association competitions
Larry Wiehe Solo Competition (7)
Frank Smith Solo Competition (4)
Donald Yaxley Bass Trombone Competition (3)
Gagliardi Solo Competition (3)
George Roberts Bass Trombone Solo Competition (2)
Robert Marsteller Solo Competition (2)
Lewis Van Haney Orchestral Excerpt Competition
J. J. Johnson Jazz Competition

Carl Fontana Jazz Competition
ITA Alto Trombone Competition

Students chosen as alternates in the International Trombone Association solo competitions
Larry Wiehe Solo Competition (7)
Carl Fontana Jazz Competition 
Lewis Van Haney Orchestral Excerpt Competition
J. J. Johnson Jazz Trombone Competition

Students chosen as honorable mention in the International Trombone Association solo competitions
Larry Wiehe Solo Competition (5)
Gagliardi Solo Competition (3)
Lewis Van Haney Orchestral Excerpt Competition
George Roberts Bass Trombone Competition
Edward Kleinhammer Bass Trombone Orchestral Excerpt Competition 

US Army Band's National Trombone Solo Competitions
Winner, Division II Bass Trombone
Winner, Division II Tenor Trombone Competition

Finalist, Division I Tenor Trombone (3)
Finalist, Division I Bass Trombone 
Finalist, Division II Tenor Trombone
Finalist, Division II Bass Trombone
Finalist, Jazz Solo Competition

Other
Winner, Downbeat Magazine Outstanding Performance (Undergraduate College Instrumental Jazz Soloist Category) (2)
Winner, Yamaha Young Performing Artists Solo Competition
Honorable Mention, Yamaha Young Performing Artists Solo Competition
Winner, Cleveland Trombone Seminar Mock Orchestral Audition
Finalist, Steve Zellmer Orchestral Excerpt Competition
Alternate, National Orchestra Institute (2)
 

Positions won in competitive festivals/ensembles 

American Wind Symphony Orchestra (3)
Aspen Music Festival
Atlantic Brass Quintet Summer Seminar
Bar Harbor Brass Week
Betty Carter Jazz Ahead Workshop
Civic Orchestra of Chicago (Associate Trombonist)
Cleveland Trombone Seminar 
Domaine Forget International Music Festival (3)
Eastman Trombone Institute
International Festival Institute at Round Top (4)
Northwestern University Summer Trombone Workshop
Pokorny Low Brass Seminar
Southeast Trombone Symposium (3)
Tanglewood
Third Coast Trombone Retreat
US Army Field Band
 

Sampling of schools accepting recent studio graduates 

Cincinnati Conservatory
Cleveland Institute of Music
Eastman School of Music
Florida State University
Hὂgskolan for Scen och Music at Gὂteborgs Universiteit (Sweden)
Indiana University
Juilliard School of Music
Manhattan School of Music
New England Conservatory
Northwestern University
Southern Methodist University
University of Michigan
University of North Texas
University of Wisconsin
Yale University
Many others
 

Ensembles featuring WMU trombone alumni (frequent sub or member) 

Alabama Symphony
Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Cleveland Orchestra

Civic Orchestra of Chicago
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Göteborg Opera (Sweden)
Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra
Green Bay Symphony
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra
Lansing Symphony Orchestra
Louisiana Philharmonic
Madison Symphony Orchestra
Monarch Brass
North Carolina Symphony
Quad Cities Symphony
Seraph Brass
U.S. Army Field Band Quintet
U.S. Army Field Band (2)
Rochester (NY) Philharmonic
Rochester (MN) Symphony Orchestra
Seattle Symphony 
Many others