2004 Competition Results
As part of the 33rd Annual International Trombone Festival, the finalists in the various ITA-sponsored competitions completed their final rounds and winners were announced in an Awards Ceremony held on Wednesday, June 16, 2004.
ITA President Nathaniel Brickens announced all of the finalists and winners in the Hockett Recital Hall, part of the James J. Whalen Center for Music at Ithaca College, which served as host of the festival. Brickens began the ceremony by thanking Ithaca College Trombone Professor Hal Reynolds and his staff, along with accompanists Diane Birr, Charis Dimaris and Kathy Hansen. He also thanked the many judges who participated in the final rounds for the nine different ITA-sponsored competitions.
ITA Competition -- tenor or bass trombonist 18 years of age or younger
First prize -- Rath Tenor Trombone, donated by Michael Rath Trombones, and a $250 check from the International Trombone Association.
The three finalists were:
- Joshua Bledsoe, Florida State University (John Drew, teacher)
- Nils-Martin Corssen, Hochschule für Musik, Detmold (Heinz Fadle, teacher)
- Eloy Panizo Padron, Santa Cruz de Teneriffe Conservatory of Music (DeDe Decker, teacher)
Judges for the final round included:
- Buddy Baker, retired trombone professor, University of Northern Colorado
- Megumi Kanda, principal trombonist, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
- Don Lucas, trombone professor, Texas Tech University
Joshua Bledsoe was announced as the winner of the competition and received his prizes from Jiggs Whigham, representing the ITA, and Michael Rath, from Michael Rath Trombones.
Larry Wiehe Competition -- tenor trombonist, performing the literature of Arthur Pryor, 23 years of age or younger
First prize -- King 3B trombone (Larry Wiehe's instrument), donated by the Conn-Selmer Company, and a $250 check from the International Trombone Association.
The three finalists were:
- Jason Smith, University of South Florida (Tom Brantley, teacher)
- Jonathan Stoby, Stephen F. Austin State University (Debra Scott teacher)
- Jordan Witt, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music (David Vining, teacher)
Judges for the final round included:
- John Drew, trombone professor, Florida State University
- James Erdman, retired trombone soloist, US Marine Band
- John Marcellus, trombone professor, Eastman School of Music
Jordan Witt was announced as the winner of the competition and received his prizes from Jiggs Whigham, representing the ITA, and Alan Bomwell, from Conn-Selmer.
Donald Yaxley Competition -- bass trombonist, 25 years of age or younger
First prize -- Bach 50B3 bass trombone, donated by the Conn-Selmer Company, and a $250 check from the International Trombone Association.
The three finalists were:
- Michael Brown, University of Michigan (David Jackson, teacher)
- Justin Clark, Manhattan School of Music (David Taylor, teacher)
- Jared Lantzey, Texas Tech University (Don Lucas, teacher)
Judges for the final round included:
- Blair Bollinger, bass trombonist, PhiladelphiaOrchestra
- Jan Kagarice, adjunct professor, University of North Texas
- Stefan Sanders, bass trombonist, Buffalo Philharmonic
Michael Brown was the winner of the competition.
Robert Marsteller Competition -- alto or tenor trombonist 22 years of age or younger
First prize -- Conn 34H Alto Trombone, donated by the Conn-Selmer Company, and a $250 check from the International Trombone Association.
The three finalists were:
- Matthew Allison, San Francisco Conservatory of Music (Mark Lawrence, teacher)
- Crystal Booher, Indiana University (M. Dee Stewart, teacher)
- Tony Garcia, Harding University (Mark Chance, teacher)
Judges for the final round included:
- James Erdman, retired trombone soloist, US Marine Band
- Matt Vaughn, associate principal trombonist, Philadelphia Orchestra
- Denis Wick, retired principal trombonist, London Symphony Orchestra
Matthew Allison was announced as the winner of the competition and received his prizes from Jiggs Whigham, representing the ITA, and Alan Bomwell, from Conn-Selmer.
Frank Smith Competition -- tenor trombonist 25 years of age or younger
First prize -- Shires Orchestral Tenor Trombone, donated by S. E. Shires
Trombones,
and a $250 check from the International Trombone Association.
The three finalists were:
- Kate Jenkins, University of Georgia (Philip Jameson, teacher)
- Raimundo Morales, University of Texas (Nathaniel Brickens, teacher)
- Simeon Stoyanov, Central Michigan University (Robert Lindahl, teacher)
Judges for the final round included:
- Heinz Fadle, professor, Hochschule für Musik
- Nitzan Haroz, principal trombonist, Philadelphia Orchestra
- Radegundis Feitosa Nunes, University of Paraiba, Brazil
Simeon Stoyanov was announced as the winner of the competition and received his prizes from Jiggs Whigham, representing the ITA, and Dale Cruse, from S.E. Shires.
Lewis Van Haney Philharmonic Prize -- Mock Audition for tenor trombonists 25 years of age or younger
First prize -- Thein Alto Trombone, donated by Max and Heinrich Thein, anda $250 check from the International Trombone Association.
The three finalists were:
- Adam Bean, Arkansas Tech University (Michael Underwood, teacher)
- Timothy Smith, Northwestern University (Michael Mulcahy, teacher)
- Robert Kastner (James Markey, teacher)
Judges for the final round included:
- Fred Boyd, retired bass trombonist, Syracuse Symphony
- Eric Carlson, second trombonist, Philadelphia Orchestra
- Mark Kellogg, principal trombonist, Rochester Philharmonic
Robert Kastner was announced as the winner of the competition and received his prizes from Jiggs Whigham, representing the ITA, and Heinrich Thein, from Thein Instrument Company.
Lewis Van Haney Philharmonic Prize -- Mock Audition for bass trombonists 25 years of age or younger
First prize -- Choice of a Holton TR 18 Tenor Trombone or TR 181 Bass Trombone (instruments designed by Lewis Van Haney), donated by Holton-Leblanc, and a$250 check from the International Trombone Association.
The three finalists were:
- Benjamin Green, Juilliard School of Music (Don Harwood, teacher)
- Dan West, University of North Texas (Vern Kagarice, teacher)
- Matas Veer, Liszt Academy of Music, Budapest (Tividar Sztan, teacher)
Judges for the final round included:
- Blair Bollinger, bass trombonist, Philadelphia Orchestra
- Jay Evans, principal trombonist, Birmingham Symphony
- Edward Kleinhammer, retired bass trombonist, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Dan West was announced as the winner of the competition and received his prizes from Jiggs Whigham, representing the ITA, and Stan Surber, from Holton-Leblanc.
Frank Rosolino Competition -- jazz trombonist 22 years of age or younger
First prize -- Edwards Jazz Trombone, donated by Edwards Trombones, and a$250 check from the International Trombone Association.
The three finalists were:
- Willie Applewhite, Juilliard School of Music (Wycliffe Gordon, teacher)
- Michael Dease, Juilliard School of Music (Wycliffe Gordon, teacher)
- James Hirschfeld, Eastman School of Music (Mark Kellogg, teacher)
Judges for the final round included:
- Tony Baker, trombone professor, University of North Texas
- Paul McKee, trombone professor, University of Missouri-Kansas City
- Jiggs Whigham, jazz professor, Hochschule für Musik, Berlin
Michael Dease was announced as the winner of the competition and received his prizes from Jiggs Whigham, representing the ITA, and Chris Branagan, from Edwards Trombones.
ITA Quartet Competition -- trombone quartet where all members are 25 years of age or younger
First prize -- $1000 Cash Prize, donated by the International Trombone Association.
The three finalist quartets were:
- 3:1 -- Texas Tech University (Don Lucas, coach)
- Novus Trombone Quartet -- Rice University (David Waters, coach)
- NYXAS Trombone Quartet -- Yale University (Scott Hartman, coach)
Judges for the final round included:
- Brandt Attema, bass trombonist, Netherlands Radio Orchestra
- Ron Barron, principal trombonist, Boston Symphony Orchestra
- Tom Brantley, trombone professor, University of South Florida & trombonist with Rhythm & Brass
Novus Trombone Quartet from Rice University was announced as the winner of the competition and the group received their prize from Jiggs Whigham, representing the ITA.
Previously announced winners include the Piedmont Trombone Society from Atlanta, Georgia, (winners of the Kai Winding Jazz Trombone Ensemble Competition) and the Texas Tech Trombone Choir, Don Lucas, coach (winners of the Emory Remington Trombone Choir Competition).
ITF Recap
Photos

Finale Concert Soloists with Conductor
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