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Trombone Tribute

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Eric Sullivan
The trombone often gets a raw deal in the reputation game of instruments. Aside from the ubiquitous jokes, there's this famous quote:

Never look at the trombones; you'll just encourage them. -Richard Strauss

But, far from being the hapless horn of countless quips and sarcastic asides, the not-so-lowly trombone is a fantastically adaptable and majestic instrument. Consider these quotes from a couple of reasonably well-known musicians:

My greatest teacher was not a vocal coach, not the work of other singers, but the way Tommy Dorsey breathed and phrased on the trombone.  -Frank Sinatra

In my opinion, the trombone is the true head of the family of wind instruments, which I have named the 'epic' one. It possesses nobility and grandeur to the highest degree; it has all the serious and powerful tones of sublime musical poetry, from religious, calm and imposing accents to savage, orgiastic outburst. Directed by the will of the master, the trombones can chant like a choir of priests, threaten, utter gloomy sighs, a mournful lament, or a bright hymn of glory; they can break forth into awe-inspiring cries and awaken the dead or doom the living with their fearful voices. -Hector Berlioz

In light of such a mighty endorsement, perhaps the instrument deserves a bit more respect. Of course, musicians who choose the trombone as their instrument already know that. So, from March 8 to 11 some of the best slide artists in the country and the world gathered in Washington D.C. for the American Trombone Workshop.

The American Trombone Workshop (ATW) has become one of the largest annual events for trombone in the world. The workshop's mission is to give students, performers, and educators an opportunity to meet and share ideas, talents, and opinions about the world of trombone. ATW regularly hosts participants throughout the nation and abroad. The workshop is held at Brucker Hall--The U.S. Army Band's headquarters and performance center--located on historic Fort Myer in Arlington, Virginia, just across the Potomac River from the nation's capital.

In 1974, John Marcellus, former principal trombonist with the National Symphony Orchestra, along with John Melick, former trombone instructor at Towson State University and principal trombonist of the Baltimore Symphony, founded the Eastern Trombone Workshop at Towson State University, in Baltimore, Maryland. In 1981 the workshop moved to Florida State University, under the direction of trombone instructor William Cramer. The U.S. Navy Band took control of the workshop in 1986, thus bringing the event to the DC area.

In 1993, U.S. Army Band solo trombonist Scott Shelsta, with support of Colonel Bryan Shelburn, commander of The U.S. Army Band, took hold of the reins of the workshop, then known as the Eastern Trombone Workshop (ETW). In 2014, at the 40th edition of the workshop, the Army Band unveiled the workshop's new name: The U.S. Army Band's American Trombone Workshop.

This year, the United States Air Force Band was well-represented at this event with seven Band members appearing as either recitalists or members of guest ensembles. Technical Sergeant Christine Purdue, of the Ceremonial Brass, had the distinct honor of being a featured soloist with the Brass of the Potomac, a DC-based British-style brass group. The group is comprised solely of volunteers, drawing its talent largely from Washington's military bands; and, since its founding in 2008, has performed full-scale concerts in schools, community arts centers and places of worship.

Purdue has been with the group since 2014. Speaking of her feature in the ATW, she says it is, "especially exciting for me in several ways. The piece I [was] featured on, Steve Bulla's 'River Quest,' is a very fun solo. It is a single movement work that features the trombone in a variety of styles, from playful dance-like sections to soaring chorale melodies."

She goes on to speak about the impact that a uniformed service member has on the attending musicians, and the workshop as a whole. "I have always loved playing with brass groups, which fortunately for me I get to do every day as a member of the Ceremonial Brass. Trombonists from all over the country come to the American Trombone Workshop, so it is truly an honor to represent the Air Force Band in such a visible way at such a prestigious event."

ATW is the only professionally organized and staffed trombone workshop or conference in the United States. Soloists, educators, and students--as well as university and college trombone ensembles from around the world--attend the workshop annually.
The Brass of the Potomac, Featuring Technical Sergeant Christine Purdue, will be performing at Fort Myer's Brucker Hall at 7:30 p.m. on March 8. For more information on the American Trombone Workshop please visit their website at http://www.usarmyband.com/trombone/, And, please visit http://www.usafband.af.mil/ for all you need to know about your United States Air Force Band, including recordings and concert information.