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Graduate assistantships

Columbus State University offers graduate assistantships (GAs) for Master's Degree candidates in Performance and Music Education. In the case of the CSU Trombone Studio, the GA includes a number of significant opportunities and additional funding. This page is intended to provide more information for prospective Graduate students. After reading the information here, please contact Dr. Palmer to set up a visit. Please note that the deadline for applying for the Assistantship is March 1.

The Graduate Assistansthip for the Trombone Studio at Columbus State University comes with a number of very nice perks. In addition to a nice package of financial support, the Assistantship also comes with a paid position with the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra in LaGrange, GA. The GA will be offered a contract for the entire LSO season for up to two years while working on the Master's Degree. The LSO position pays approximately $2000 per year in addition to the GA stipend, and allows the GA to gain professional orchestra experience along side Dr. Palmer, who plays principal. There are also a number of paid gigs in and around Columbus that will go to the GA.

The audition for the Master's Degree in Performance and the Graduate Assistantship requires approximately 20 to 25 minutes of playing, to include solo literature of the student's choice, plus 3-5 standard orchestral excerpts. Piano accompaniment is encouraged, but not required, and will not be provided. Please contact Dr. Palmer for more information about the audition or to schedule a date. If you are interested in sending a recording, please contact Dr. Palmer.

Current Graduate Assistant Profile:
Andrew Shelton is the current Trombone Graduate Assistant at Columbus State. Andrew won the Wiehe competition at the 2007 International Trombone Festival in Las Vegas. He performed with the Summit Brass on their most recent CD recording. He was a student of James Sparrow at Mars Hill College in North Carolina. Andrew can be contacted at trombone.shelton@hotmail.com. Andrew can also be heard on a number clips of the trombone choir on this site, including:

Make our Garden Grow (duet with Dr. Palmer and the CSU trombone choir)
Urlicht (solo with the CSU trombone choir)

Duties of the Trombone GA add up to no more than 9 hours per week and may include:

• Work with both trombone ensembles, including performance and conducting (if desired)
• Teaching secondary trombone
• Website updating and development (no previous experience required)
• Assist with delivery of weekly studio classes for the trombone studio
• Organizational work for the trombone studio and brass area

Checklist for applying to CSU for the Master's degree for trombonists:

• Contact Dr. Palmer regarding Graduate opportunities at CSU.
• Apply to Columbus State University.
• Apply to the Schwob School of Music at CSU
• Take the GRE
• Mail three letters of recommendation to Debra Stephens at:

Debra Stephens
Columbus State University Schwob School of Music
4225 University Ave.
Columbus, GA 31907

• Schedule your graduate entrance exams by emailing Debra Stephens

If you have any questions or need help along the way, please Contact Dr. Palmer.