Texas Trombone Institute

Take advantage of our $10 early bird registration by the end of TODAY! Register now at https://www.texastromboneinstitute.org/.
Come prepare your All State etudes with our awesome guest clinicians, Jeff Freeman and Paul Garza!

Three more weeks until our All-State Clinic!
$10 early bird registration until October 31st!!!

Announcing the 2022 TTI All-State Clinics!

Join us Saturday November 12th from 10 AM - 12 PM at Tomball Memorial High School

With Jeff Freeman from Prairie View A&M University
and Paul Garza, freelance bass trombonist, and music faculty at U of H

Sign up online at www.texastromboneinstitute.org

$10 early bird registration until 10/31, and then $20 late registration!

Contact us online with any questions. Get a leg up on the All-State etudes and join us for these two great masterclasses!

Introducing the new TTI Treasurer and Faculty: Luke V***a!

Luke V***a is a trombone teacher and performer based in northern Houston. He currently serves as Adjunct Professor of Low Brass at Stephen F. Austin State University, as well as a clinician and private lessons instructor for Magnolia ISD, Willis ISD, Spring Branch ISD, and Music & Arts in The Woodlands, TX. He performs regularly with the Texas Brass Ensemble, Groove Knight (an Austin-based wedding band) and various other ensembles as a freelancer.

Luke received his master’s degree in trombone performance from the University of Texas at Austin in 2021, where he studied with Dr. Nathaniel Brickens and Paul Deemer. He was a regular member of UT’s top performing ensembles including the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Orchestra, New Music Ensemble and Trombone Choir. As a member of the UT Trombone Choir, he performed at the Texas Music Educators Association in 2020, and the International Trombone Festival in 2021.

Luke also holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Stephen F. Austin State University, where he studied trombone with Dr. Deb Scott. During his studies at SFA, he held several leadership roles in the school’s top ensembles, was a featured soloist with multiple performance groups and earned finalist honors in the annual SFA Concerto Competition. In addition, Luke performed at the Texas Music Educators Association with the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra and Trombone Choir.

Introducing the new TTI Secretary: Cory Wurtz!

Wurtz is a native of the Texas Panhandle, and currently serves as a private lesson instructor in Tomball ISD and was a faculty member at the 2022 TTI. While in his hometown of Canyon, he attended West Texas A&M University, studying with Dr. Raimundo Morales and later Dr. John Shanks, and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education in 2015. While at WTAMU, he performed as a member of the WTAMU Trombone Choir at the Eastern Trombone Workshop in 2011 and the International Trombone Festival in 2014, and the WTAMU Symphonic Band at the Texas Music Educators Association and Convention in 2012. He went on to receive his Master of Music degree in Trombone Performance from Northwestern University, studying under the tutelage of Michael Mulcahy, Timothy Higgins, Douglas Wright, Christopher Davis, and Randy Hawes. While at Northwestern, he performed as a member of the Northwestern University Trombone Choir, who would win the ITA Emory Re*****on Competition in 2017, and performed as the winners under the direction of instructor Christopher Davis at the International Trombone Festival in Los Angeles, California. Cory has previously served as the bass trombonist of The Orchestra Iowa in Cedar Rapids and The Madison Symphony in Wisconsin, and additionally has performed with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.

Today we also have to say goodbye and thank you to Gram Lee, past TTI Faculty and board member. Mr. Lee served on the faculty in 2019, has performed with the TTI faculty and has contributed his time and musicianship to make TTI a special program. We thank you for your service and wish you all the best for the future!

Today we say a heartfelt goodbye and thank you to Matthew Halbert, longtime TTI Faculty and board member. Mr. Halbert has been on the faculty since our first institute in 2017, and has contributed his time and musicianship to make TTI a special program. TTI would not be the same without you, so we thank you for your service and wish you all the best for the future!

What a week we had at the 2022 Texas Trombone Institute!

A busy week of rehearsals, classes, and concerts filled with hard work and making progress! A huge thanks to Dr. David Wilborn for joining us, and bravo on his new piece "Gladiatrix From the Arena of Valor!" Everyone loved it and can't wait to hear it again!

Thanks to all the participants for being a part of a great week. We look forward to seeing you again in 2023! Stay tuned for updates and more information!

Congratulations to Devin for winning our Trombone Quiz on Friday! Devin got the most points in our quiz about all things trombone and music related.

An enormous thank you to Music & Arts and Tomball Store manager Chad Stroud for donating the prize, including trombone supplies and some great books!

Happy practicing Devin!

We’re still excited after the world premiere performance of David F. Wilborn’s “Gladiatrix From the Arena of Valor!”

An enormous thank you to Dr. Wilborn for composing such an incredible and enjoyable piece of music for us, and working with all of our students! Congratulations to the High School Trombone Choir for their awesome performance as well!

Keep an eye out for this piece to become available soon! It’s a great addition for your next trombone choir concert!

The 2022 Texas Trombone Institute!

Thanks for a great week, everyone! More pictures and updates to come. Enjoy the rest of the summer, and see you next year!

It’s the final day of the 2022 Texas Trombone Institute! After morning warm ups and rehearsals, everyone is preparing for the final concert!

Join us at the Rose Hill United Methodist Church at 3 pm today to hear the results of all the work this week. The concert is free and open to the public!

Day 4 is over already! A great day working with Dr. David Wilborn, and preparing for our concert!

Please join us at 3 pm at the Rose Hill United Methodist Church in Tomball for our final concert! No tickets; the concert is free and open to the public.

You’ll hear small ensembles, trombone choirs, and everyone playing in the mass choir at the end. And most importantly, you’ll hear Dr. Wilborn’s brand new piece: “Gladiatrix From the Arena of Valor!”

Starting off Day 4 with Dr. David Wilborn! Masterclasses for everyone, and some great work on breathing and styles. Continuing with classes from Mr. Wurtz on efficient practicing and more ahead later!

Day 3 is already over! Lots of productive rehearsals today, and a chance to perform for each other in small ensemble masterclasses. Also on the schedule today was a jazz improvisation class, Institute Trombone Choir rehearsal, and the faculty chamber music recital!

Tomorrow we’ll be joined by Dr. David Wilborn for masterclasses and to prepare for Friday’s concert and the premiere of “Gladiatrix From the Arena of Valor!”

Day 3 is off to a great start with morning warm ups, rehearsals, masterclasses!

On the schedule today: jazz improvisation, a chamber music recital, and more rehearsals!

That’s a wrap on Day 2! Lots of progress in all of the ensembles already, and classes today on practicing techniques and the Region Band process!

A big thanks to Music and Arts for showing off some trombones today, and for everyone’s hard work! See you at 9 am tomorrow!

Thanks for a great day 1 everyone! A great start on classes and ensembles. Our first faculty recitals of the week, with much more ahead!

See you bright and early at 9 am sharp for warm ups tomorrow!

And we’re off! Kicking off the 2022 Texas Trombone Institute with some morning warm up and fundamentals!

We are so excited to begin the 2022 Texas Trombone Institute on Monday!

Participants should remember to bring the following items each day:

Your Trombone
Pencils
A music stand
Music to perform in masterclasses
Water

Don't forget your audition music on Monday, and feel free to bring a notebook to take notes!

Feel free to message us with any questions. Everyone at TTI is thrilled to get started soon! Next week will be 🔥!

Today is your LAST CHANCE to register for the 2022 Texas Trombone Institute!

Join us June 20-24 at the Rose Hill United Methodist Church for a week full of trombone playing! Hone your skills, learn new things, hear great music, and perform with your friends!

We'll be joined by special Guest Artist Dr. David Wilborn from Texas A&M University, and HS students will premiere a BRAND NEW piece by him!

Register now: www.texastromboneinstitute.org

What’s all the buzz about? Registration for the 2022 Texas Trombone Institute ends in three days!

Sign up online by June 1st! www.texastromboneinstitute.org

Summer program in Tomball, TX runs June 20-24 for grades 6-12 at the Rose Hill United Methodist Church. Join us for a week full of all things trombone!

More information and registration at www.texastromboneinstitute.org

Welcome to 2022 TTI Intern Sterling Davis!

Sterling Davis earned a BM in Music Education and a minor in Jazz Studies from Stephen F.Austin State University where he studied trombone with Dr.Debra Scott. While at SFA Sterling participated in the SFA Symphony Orchestra, SFA Wind Ensemble, Swinging Axes Jazz Band, and various chamber ensembles in all genres both in and outside of school. In addition to his many playing responsibilities Sterling also thought private lessons at several school in the East Texas area.

Before his time at SFA Sterling served four years in the Unite States Marine Corps Field Bands with the Parris Island Marine Band. During his time he served as bass trombone in the ceremonial, and concert bands. He also played 2nd trombone in the Parris Island Jazz Band, and was the front man of the Dirt Boots Brass Band.

Sterling was recently accepted into the Manhattan School of Music where he will study Orchestral Trombone Performance with Colin Williams of the New York Philharmonic. Sterlings professional associations include Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA), International Trombone Association (ITA), and Beta Gamma Omega.

Just one week left to register for the 2022 Texas Trombone Institute!

The final deadline for registration is approaching fast! Sign up online by June 1st: www.texastromboneinsitute.org

Our program is open to all students in grades 6 through 12. More information is available at www.texastromboneinstitute.org. Hours run 9 AM to 4 PM each day, June 20-24. All activities take place at the Rose Hill United Methodist Church.

Join us for a week of all things trombone! Sign up now: www.texastromboneinstitute.org