Reasons to Study Trombone at EMU
The EMU Trombone Program offers a wide variety of exciting opportunities for trombone majors and minors:
Private trombone instruction with Dr. Donald Babcock, Professor of Trombone.
All trombone majors (including Performance, Music Education, Music Therapy, and BA or BS) receive a weekly 1-hour private lesson. In addition to a private lesson, trombone students meet weekly for Trombone Studio Class where students play in trombone choir and trombone ensembles, learn orchestral excerpts, discuss trombone-related topics, and perform for each other.
EMU Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, and Collegium Musicum (available through audition).
In these ensembles, undergraduate as well as graduate students have the opportunity to perform challenging repertoire.
Performing and competition opportunities.
EMU William Stewart Competition, the Manilow Performance Competition, the Kappa Kappa Psi Honors Recital, the Tau Beta Sigma Chamber Music Recital, and Tuesday Student Recitals.
EMU Faculty Performances.
Dr. Babcock is a frequent soloist on and off campus.
Exposure to other trombonists.
Dr. Babcock regularly invites guest artists to campus for recitals, lectures, and master classes. Guests have included Brett Baker from England, Wycliffe Gordon (jazz artist) from the US, and Carlos Mello from Brazil.
Music Now Festival.
This biennial festival celebrating new music brings a major contemporary composer to EMU for a 3-4 day residency. Recent guests include Libby Larsen, John Corigliano, Joan Tower, and Peter Schickele. In 2003, the EMU Trombone Choir performed Schickele's "Monochrome II."
EMU Undergraduate Honors Symposium.
Undergraduates compete to represent the Department of Music at the University-wide symposium held each March.
EMU Honors Program.
Students may participate in the advanced course offerings of the Honors Program and can even create contracts with the program to present recitals for credit.
Community Music Academy.
Build your own private studio.
Most classes are taught by faculty rather than graduate teaching assistants.
At Eastern Michigan University opportunities abound for a solid education. Numerous performance opportunities and quality instruction combine to form a well-rounded education in preparation for graduate school, music education, music therapy, music business, or other careers in music.
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