Columbus State University Trombone Studio: Meet the Studio

Master’s student Andrew Shelton

I am a first year Masters student with a concentration in pedagogy. I am originally from Asheville, North Carolina where I did my Undergraduate degree in Trombone Performance at Mars Hill College. During my years in North Carolina I performed with the Asheville Symphony, the Hendersonville Symphony and the Asheville Lyric Opera. This past summer I won the International Trombone Association Larry Wiehe Competition and was fortunate enough to record with the Summit Brass. Some of the summer festivals I have attended are the Rafael Mendez Brass Institute and the Aspen Music Festival where I studied with Julliard professor Per Brevig. I have also been active in high schools and middle schools in North Carolina, teaching both Marching and Concert bands as well as giving master classes. After looking at several other graduate schools I found that the faculty and staff at CSU are not only outstanding in their respective fields but also warm and inviting to all students, new and old. I believe that the passion and drive of the Schwob School of Music can only propel a musician forward into any career he or she may seek.

Junior Jessica Ducharme

My name is Jessica Ducharme, and I am from Cumming, Georgia. I attended North Forsyth High School and am now a Junior at Columbus State University, majoring in Trombone Performance. I love being a member of the Schwob School of Music because there are so many opportunities for me to be in great ensembles and improve as a musician. I stay very busy every day playing in various small and large ensembles such as Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Orchestra, Brass Quintet, Trombone Choir, and Trombone Octet. I have gotten a chance to perform some really great repertoire and interact with some world renowned guest artists. The qualities about the Schwob School of Music that I value the most are the dedicated staff, the close-knit students, and the wonderful facilities. Besides being involved in the school of music, I also am a member of the Servant Leadership Program. This is a great program that allows me to give back to the community in the form of empowering others through service. For the past three years I have volunteered at the Oxbow Environmental Learning Center, located about 8 miles down the River Walk from Downtown Columbus. There are also many opportunities to make a little money around town by playing in local churches and sitting in with the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra. When I am not doing schoolwork or in rehearsals, or practicing, I enjoy being with friends, riding my bike, and playing ultimate frisbee in the park.

I am currently in pursuit of a BM in instrumental music education. Through the CSU Wind Ensemble and the CSU Philharmonic I have performed at the GMEA conference and recorded CDs with Joseph Alessi, principal trombonist of the New York Philharmonic, and John Bruce Yeh, associate principal clarinetist of the Chicago Symphony. In addition to trombone performance, I am also active as an arranger for full trombone ensemble, including a transcription of the "Kyrie" from Schubert’s Mass in E-flat and of Charles Ives’ "Variations on America."

I hail from Jesup, GA, and am a finance major with a minor in music. I have been involved in the CSU Trombone Octet, Trombone Choir and Wind Orchestra. Ever since I arrived in Columbus, I have always been impressed with the Schwob School of Music. The faculty, staff, students, and facilities are all top-notch. Aside from that, students are offered opportunities to play in an almost limitless number of ensembles. Though I have switched to a major that is not associated with music, I still enjoy taking part in music-related activities, and the Schwob School makes this very easy and convenient. Columbus State University is a great choice for both potential music majors and others who still want to be involved in a music program in some capacity, whether it be simply playing in a wind ensemble, or taking private lessons along with being involved in several ensembles.

I am from Flintstone, GA, a graduate of Ridgeland High School. I am currently a sophomore at Columbus State University pursuing a degree in music education. I am studying the trombone and have participated in ensembles including the CSU Wind Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, and the CSU Trombone Octet and Trombone Choir. I am also an active member of CMENC, a student-run organization for music education majors. I am currently receiving the Schwob Patron Scholarship and the HOPE Scholarship. Music is my passion, and I intend to continue doing everything I can to live it!

I came to Columbus State University from Powder Springs, GA in Cobb County. This is my second year at CSU and it has been great so far. I am currently enjoying playing second trombone in the Jazz Ensemble, as well as playing principal in the Wind Orchestra. I am also a member of the Trombone Octet and Trombone Choir. Playing and learning here at Columbus State has been a very rewarding experience.

I am from Cumming, GA, and I have been playing trombone for seven years. I just graduated from North Forsyth HS. My freshman year at CSU has been great thus far. Apart from playing trombone I also enjoy unicycling, and am also training toward my private pilots license.

I graduated from Whitewater HS in Fayette County, GA in 2007. I am a member of the CSU Wind Orchestra, Trombone Choir and Jazz Band. I also enjoy working with music technology and am a member of the recording staff for the Schwob School of Music here at Columbus State.

I graduated from Parkview HS in 2007. I am majoring in Performance, and play bass trombone in the CSU Philharmonic, Wind Ensemble and Jazz Band. In the Spring semester I plan to be involved in a trombone quartet and brass quintet as well. I have been involved in the Drum and Bugle Corps activity in the summer, and hope to attend many music festivals during the summers while at CSU.

I am a Music Education major, and have been playing trombone for eight years after starting on trumpet. I played sousaphone in my HS marching band and loved it. I then switched over to the dark side – I now play bass trombone. I recently became engaged to be married.