Welcome to the trombone studio at the University of Colorado Boulder College of Music!
The trombone studio comprises undergraduate and graduate students. Weekly private lessons, weekly trombone class and trombone ensemble provide the basis of our collective interactions. Additional enrichment comes from frequent guest recitals and master classes by some of the world’s leading trombonists, including Joseph Alessi (New York Philharmonic), Ian Bousfield (London Symphony and Vienna Philharmonic), Colorado native Craig Mulcahy (National Symphony), John Rojak (American Brass Quintet) and soloist-conductor-composer Christian Lindberg ... to name just a few.
The sheer beauty of Boulder and the college’s proximity to Denver—with easy access to its flourishing arts scene—complement a comprehensive college experience within a world-class academic institution.
Alumni
We’re proud of our trombone alumni, many of whom have continued their studies here at CU Boulder, or at institutions including CU Denver, Indiana University, Michigan State University, Northwestern University, Penn State University, University of Illinois, University of Southern California and Yale University, among others. Our alumni have also gone on to succeed in prestigious competitions like the International Trombone Association Alto Trombone Competition, International Women’s Brass Conference, ITA Frank Smith Tenor Trombone Competition, Steven Zellmer Trombone Competition and many more. Additionally, trombone alumni have earned impressive appointments with the National Repertory Orchestra, New Mexico Philharmonic, St. Louis Symphony and U.S. Army Regional Bands, to name a few. Still other alumni have gone on to teach at Discovery Canyon Middle School in Colorado Springs, St. Paul American School in Shanghai, Florida Atlantic University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Western Sierra Collegiate Academy and more. Check out our alumni class notes for more alumni accomplishments and follow our ongoing alumni highlights on Instagram.
Sterling Tanner
Performer, educator and clinician Sterling Tanner is assistant professor of trombone at our College of Music. Previously, he served as an adjunct professor of trombone at Texas A&M University Kingsville and as assistant professor of practice (trombone) at The Ohio State University. An S.E. Shires Performing Artist, Tanner has appeared as a soloist throughout the United States and abroad including performances in Hong Kong and Valencia, Spain. Additionally, Tanner has served as the principal trombonist of Project Opera Columbus, as well as bass trombonist for the Newark-Granville and Central Ohio Symphony, and is a member of the Ohio Trombone Consortium. Tanner performs each summer with the Professors Trombone Choir at the Southeast Trombone Symposium in Columbus, Georgia. An accomplished soloist, Tanner was named the winner of the 2016 and 2018 American Trombone Workshop Division III Bass Trombone Solo Competition, the 2015 Southeastern Trombone Symposium S.E. Shires Solo Competition, and was a finalist in the 2016 International Trombone Festival’s Donald Yaxley Solo Competition. He has further shared the stage with trombone greats such as Jim Markey, Charlie Vernon, Denson Paul Pollard, George Curran, Joseph Alessi, Bill Thomas, Brian Hecht and Gerry Pagano. MORE