Student Success

2021-22

Matthew Willingham was selected for the Eastern Music Festival.

Isaiah Vasquez was named Honorable Mention in the University of Alabama Huxford Concerto-Aria Competition Undergraduate Division

Isaiah Vasquez was accepted into the following summer festivals - Southeast Trombone Symposium, DC Trombone Workshop and the Third Coast Trombone Retreat.

DMA Student Stephen Whimple was awarded Third Place in the University of Alabama Huxford Concerto-Aria Competition Graduate Division

DMA Student Stephen Whimple was a semifinalist for the 2nd trombone audition for the U.S. Coast Guard Band

DMA Student Stephen Whimple was a finalist in the American Trombone Workshop Division 3 Tenor Trombone Competition

DMA Student Stephen Whimple was the winner of the American Trombone Workshop Division 3 Bass Trombone Competition

DMA Student Stephen Whimple was admitted to The Orchestra Now's Advanced Certificate Program - Tenor Trombone

2020-21

DMA Student Stephen Whimple was named First Alternate in the Lewis Van Haney Philharmonic Prize

DMA Student Stephen Whimple was named Honorable Mention in the 2021 International Trombone Association Alto Trombone Competition

DMA Student Stephen Whimple was named Honorable Mention in the University of Alabama Huxford Concerto-Aria Competition Graduate Division

Matthew Fowler was accepted into the Master of Music program and Indiana University

2019-20

DMA Student Stephen Whimple performed multiple weeks with the Sarasota Orchestra as well as performances of Brahms Symphony No. 1 in Carnegie Hall.

2018-19

DMA Student Jonathan Houghtling wins second trombone audition with the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra.

DMA Student Jonathan Houghtling has advanced into the semifinals or finals of numerous auditions over the past year including the Alabama Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic and Sarasota.

Senior Taylor Duren named Most Outstanding Music Education Student in the School of Music.

UA Students selected to participate in summer festivals:

Cleveland Trombone Seminar
Matthew Fowler – junior
Michael Gilmore – freshman
Michael Johnson - DMA

Mulcahy Summer Masterclass
Logan Hicks - freshman (participant)

2016-17

DMA student Dan Kolan appointed to the faculty of Andrew College in Cuthbert, GA.

DMA student Arie VandeWaa appointed to the faculty of the University of South Alabama.

Senior David Kidd was selected as a 2017 Alessi Seminar Participant .

Senior David Kidd was selected as a Nashville Symphony Semifinalist.

Senior David Kidd was selected as a 2017 Lewis Van Haney Trombone Competition Finalist.

Senior Cameron Owen performed a week with the New World Symphony in Miami, FL.

Senior Cameron Owen was selected as a finalist for the American Trombone Workshop Bass Trombone Solo Competition.

Senior Cameron Owen was selected as the bass trombonist for the Tanglewood Music Center.

Junior Chris Healy was selected as first alternate for the 2017 International Trombone Association George Roberts Bass Trombone Solo Competition.

Junior Chris Healy was selected for the Participant Class and as a semifinalist for the STS excerpts competition.

2015-16

Junior Cameron Owen was selected as the bass trombonist for the Music Academy of the West.

Junior Cameron Owen was the WINNER of the 2016 Edward Kleinhammer Orchestral Bass Trombone Competition at the International Trombone Festival held at The Juilliard School in June. He also was a Finalist for the George Roberts Bass Trombone Solo Competition.

Junior David Kidd was selected as 1st Alternate for the 2016 Lewis Van Haney Philharmonic Prize Orchestral Tenor Trombone Competition as well as Honorable Mention for the 2016 Robert Marsteller Tenor Trombone Competition.

Junior David Kidd was selected as a finalist for the Texas State Trombone Symposium Conn/Selmer Tenor Trombone Competition.

Juniors David Kidd and Cameron Owen (bass trombone) were selected as finalists for this year's American Trombone Workshop National Solo Competition.

Several UA Trombone Students Participated in Summer Festivals.

InterHarmony International Music Festival
Jeremiah Ward - 2nd year MM Bass Trombone

Cleveland Trombone Seminar
Nick Gilmore - sophomore
Blake Malone - sophomore

National Music Festival
Cameron Owen - junior Bass Trombone

Mulcahy Summer Masterclass
Carter Hanthorn - senior (Participant)
Lucas Kaspar - UATS Graduate
David Kidd - junior (Participant)
Cameron Owen - junior Bass Trombone (Participant)

The Alessi Seminar
David Kidd - junior (Participant)
Cameron Owen - junior Bass Trombone (Participant)
Dr. John Shanks - UATS Graduate

2014-15

Freshman bass trombonist Chris Healy was announced the winner of the 2015 American Trombone Workshop Division 1 Bass Trombone National Solo Competition.

Second year MM student Anthony Darnall was selected as one of 3 finalist for the Big 12 Bach Bass Trombone Solo Competition.

Current DMA student Russell Ballenger has been appointed to the faculty of the University of Mary in Bismarck, ND where he will teach the trombone studio and jazz ensembles.

Recent UATS graduate Dr. John Shanks has been appointed to the faculty at West Texas A&M University.

Recent UATS graduate Dr. Bruce Faske was recently appointed to the faculty at Arkansas State University.

2013-14

MM Bass Trombonist Jeremiah Ward was recently selected as a Participant for the 2014 Cleveland Trombone Seminar.

Five UA students were selected for the Participant Class for the 2014 Southeast Trombone Symposium!

Anthony Darnall (bass) - MM
Kevin Dugat – MM
David Kidd – Freshman
Cameron Owen (bass) - Freshman
Jeremiah Ward (bass) - MM

Freshman David Kidd was named Honorable Mention for the 2014 Gagliardi Tenor Trombone Competition.

Freshman bass trombonist Cameron Owen was named one of 3 finalist for the 2014 George Roberts Bass Trombone Solo Competition.

2012-13

DMA Student Russell Ballenger advanced to the finals for West Point Military Academy Band Audition.

DMA Student John Shanks was selected as a Participant for the 2013 Alessi Seminar.

DMA Student Bruce Faske was selected as a Participant for the 2013 Alessi Seminar.

Sophomore Ben Carrasquillo was selected as a Participant for the 2013 Alessi Seminar.

Sophomore Ben Carrasquillo was selected as a Finalist for International Trombone Association Solo Competition.

Sophomore Ben Carrasquillo attended the National Music Festival.

MM Graduate Lucas Kaspar was appointed Lecturer of Trombone at Muskingum University.

DMA Student Bruce Faske was appointed Adjunct Instructor at Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

DMA Student John Shanks was announced the Winner of Mississippi Symphony Principal Trombone Audition.

DMA Student John Shanks was appointed to Faculty of Jackson State University.

2011-12

DMA Student Bruce Faske was announced the Winner of UA Concerto Aria Competition.

DMA Student John Shanks was announced the Winner of 2012 Eastern Trombone Workshop National Solo Competition – Division 3, Washington, D.C.

Freshman Ben Carrasquillo was announced the Winner of 2012 Eastern Trombone Workshop National Solo Competition – Division 1, Washington, D.C.

Freshman Ben Carrasquillo was announced as the 2nd Alternate for the 2012 International Trombone Association Trombone Solo Competition.

MM Student Lucas Kapsar was named Honorable Mention for the 2012 International Trombone Association Bass Trombone Solo Competition.

DMA Student John Shanks was a Finalist at the Alabama Symphony Orchestra Second Trombone Audition.

DMA Student John Shanks was Runner Up at the US “President’s Own” Marine Band Audition.

2010-11

DMA Student Bruce Faske was announced the winner of the second trombone audition for the Starkville Symphony.

DMA Student John Shanks was named a finalist for the 2011 Eastern Trombone Workshop National Solo Competition.

Freshman Chris Davis was named a Finalist in the 2011 International Trombone Association George Roberts Bass Trombone Solo Competition.

Freshman Roni Garayanala was named a finalist in the 2011 International Trombone Association Gilberto Gagliardi Trombone Solo Competition.

MM Student Lucas Kapsar was named Honorable Mention in the 2011 International Trombone Association Frank Smith Trombone Solo Competition.

DMA Student John Shanks was selected as a Fellow for the 2011 Alessi Seminar.

DMA Student Bruce Faske was selected as a Participant for the 2011 Alessi Seminar.

2009-10

UA Trombone Choir Performs at 2010 Eastern Trombone Workshop in Washington , D.C.