The University of North Texas Trombone Studio

Two UNT DMA students and two recent graduates have just won adjunct positions at various colleges across the country:

- Ben Polk: Ben is a recent UNT graduate (Artist Certificate, 2008) and is now Adjunct Professor at Western Kentucky University

- Steve Hunter: Steve is also a recent UNT graduate (DMA, 2010) and is now Adjunct Professor at both Utah Valley University and Snow College (UT)

- Jeremy Stones: Jeremy is on his second year of his DMA and is now Adjunct Professor at Grayson County Community College (Denison, TX)

- Kyle Mullins: Kyle is also on his second year of his DMA and is now Adjunct Professor at Tarrant County Community College

Congrats to all four of these guys on their new jobs!

(photos to come)

On May 5, 2010, Professor Vern Kagarice flew to Markneukirchen, Germany to serve on the nine-member jury for the 2010 Markneukirchen International Trombone Competition. From May 7–9, 72 trombonists from 26 different countries participated in Round One, each playing either David Konzert or Bozza Ballade, as well as a modern, unaccompanied German solo. Twenty-one players were invited into Round Two, where performances of Guilmant Morceau Symphonique, Sulek Sonata, Stojowski Fantasie, Rabe Basta, Crespo Improvisation No. 1, Martin Ballade, Hindemith Sonate and Peaslee Arrows of Time were heard in 30-minute programs. Round Three was then narrowed to only six players, who played Wagenseil Concerto or Leopold Mozart Concerto and Grondahl Concerto or Tomasi Concerto. Three players advanced to the Final Round, each performing the Rota Concerto with the Voigtland Philharmonic Orchestra.

Although the competition was open to players ages 30 and under, there were numerous success stories of younger players. Most significant was the Second Prize Winner Angelos Kritikos from Greece, who is only 22, and First Prize Winner Karol Gajda from Poland who is only 18.

The jury consisted of Chairman Heinz Fadle, retired professor from Musikhochshule—Detmold, Christhard Gössling, principal trombonist, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Sebastian Krause, WDR Orchestra—Dresden, Olaf Krumpfer, professor, Musikhochschlule—Leipzig, Christopher Houlding, professor, Musikhochshule—Essen, Andrez Fejer, professor, Liszt Academy of Music—Budapest, Carsten Svanberg, professor, Musikhochshule—Graz, Jonas Bylund, professor, Musikhochshule—Hannover, and Vern Kagarice, professor, University of North Texas.

Doctoral student Jamie Lipton has just won the Assistant Professor of Low Brass job at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AR. This tenure track job will entail teaching trombone, tuba, euphonium and brass methods, as well as directing the tuba/euphonium choir and the trombone choir.

Prior to this job appointment, Jamie was Adjunct instructor of euphonium at Henderson State. In addition to participating in the trombone studio at UNT, she was also a DMA Euphonium student and teaching fellow. Congrats Jamie!

For more information about Jamie Lipton, click here.

The first annual TWU Pioneer Trombone Day will take place on Saturday, May 1 from
1:30pm-9pm. For more information contact Noel Wallace at

Alumna Dr. Debra Scott performed "River Runner," a new piece for trombone and piano by composer Dr. Stephen Lias in trombone departmental on Wednesday, April 14th. "River Runner" was inspired by a kayaking trip that Dr. Scott and the composer took through Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park.

Dr. Scott holds the position of Associate Professor of Trombone and Jazz Studies at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX. She completed her DMA at UNT in 2004.

For more information about Debra Scott, click here.

Ron Barron, retired principal trombone of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, will present a masterclass at UNT on Wednesday, April 7th at noon in Room 232. Mr. Barron is a native of Texas, and regularly presents masterclasses and performances across the United States.

For more information about Mr. Barron's long and illustrious career, visit his website here.

Mark Windham (MM ’06) is the new instructor of low brass and marching band at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Since 2007 Mark has served as Director of Bands at Paul Pewitt Jr. High and High School in Omaha, TX.

Mark is currently in his fourth season as the principal trombonist of the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra. He is also the principal trombonist for Mass Brass, a professional brass ensemble in Arkansas. In addition, Mark also plays second trombone in the Texarkana Jazz Orchestra. Congratulations to Mark on his accomplishments!

Bo Clifton (MM’ 06; DMA student) is the new Director of Marketing for Background Brass with Conn-Selmer, Inc. Bo was offered this position after a thorough search and interview process. Bo has this to say to the UNT trombone faculty: “A heartfelt 'Thank you' to all three of you; you helped me to get where I am today.”

From 2006 to 2008 Bo was the trombonist of the Synergy Brass Quintet and has been an active teacher and performer in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metroplex since his return to the region. Bo was also the recipient of the 2008 Priddy Charitable Trust Fellowships in Arts Leadership and is a Conn-Selmer performing artist. While we’re unhappy to see Bo leave UNT, we wish him the best and know that he’ll do a great job at Conn-Selmer. Way to go, Bo!