Studio

Ira Allen
Tenor Trombone
Graduate Music Performance
Cabot, AR

Ira is from Cabot, AR and graduated from Cabot High School in 2002.  During high school, Ira received many superior ratings for regional solo and ensemble competitions, and was a member of regional band and jazz band from grades 8 thru 12.  Ira was selected during the summer prior to his senior year to participate at Arkansas Governor’s School, performing 20th century works as principal trombonist of the AGS Orchestra as well as participating in chamber ensembles coached by Denis Winter.

Upon high school graduation, Ira accepted academic and music scholarships to continue studying trombone with Will Kimball, as well as Michael Underwood, at Arkansas Tech University.  After two years, Ira transferred to the University of Central Arkansas, where he then continued studies with Denis Winter.  Ira has performed as a regular member of the Conway Symphony Orchestra, as well as the UCA Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Brass Choir, Trombone Choir, Jazz Ensembles I and II, Symphonic Band, and Tuba-Euphonium Ensemble.  He was also soloist with the UCA Trombone Quintet, performing Thom Ritter-George’s Aria and Dance.  Ira was also a performing member of Olympus Mons and Cuivre Ridicule brass quintets.  Ira traveled with the UCA Bear Bones Trombone Choir to perform at the 2006 International Trombone Festival in Birmingham, UK.

During the course of Ira’s undergraduate degree, he performed onstage or alongside Wycliffe Gordon, Tony Baker, Mike Davis, Bill Reichenbach, Brian Bowman, Steven Meade, Jonathan Whitaker, Pinnacle Brass, and the Western Michigan Trombone Quartet.  Ira has participated in master classes with Tony Baker, the Professor’s Trombone Quartet, as well as with Maynard Ferguson and his Big Bop Nouveau Band.  Ira graduated from UCA in the spring of 2007 with a B.M. in Trombone Performance.  During Ira’s education at UCA, he was named Presidential Scholar and made the Dean’s List numerous times.  Ira is currently a candidate for the OSU MM in trombone performance and pedagogy, and is also a graduate teaching assistant.

Ensembles:

• Symphony Orchestra
• Trombone Ensemble

Jason Cash
Tenor Trombone
Music Education
Enid, OK

Jason is a music education major from Enid.  Jason recently won Second Prize in the 2007 Glenn Miller Birthplace Society Instrumental Scholarship Competition. He was awarded the 2006-2007 Hiram Henry Award for outstanding OSU freshman low brass player, and he was also awarded a Wentz Choral Scholarship.  Jason has been a member of the Symphonic Band, Cowboy Marching Band, Jazz Ensemble II, Trombone Ensemble and Concert Chorale, and he was selected for the OSU Presidents Leadership Council and the College of Arts and Sciences Freshman Forum.

While in high school, Jason successfully auditioned for both the 2005-2006 OMEA All-State Band and Chorus, and ultimately performed with the Chorus.  Jason received the 2006 Louis Armstrong Jazz Award for his outstanding jazz trombone performance with the Enid Jazz Ensemble I, and he received more than 20 outstanding soloist awards at jazz festivals throughout high school.  Jason received superior ratings at every district, state and tri-state solo competition from grades 6-12, and he was a member of the Red Carpet Honor Band every year from grades 7-12. In addition to his musical achievements Jason is also an Eagle Scout.    

Ensembles:

• Trombone Ensemble
• Symphonic Band
• Jazz Ensemble II
• Cowboy Marching Band
• Concert Chorale

Brandon Dyer
Bass Trombone/Tenor Trombone/Euphonium
Music Performance
Arlington, TX

Brandon is from Arlington, TX, and graduated from James Bowie High School.  Brandon was a scholarship student at the 2007 Eastern Music Festival.  He also won the bronze prize in the 2007 Crescendo Music Awards Orchestral Instrument Division and the Floyd Rice Award in the 2007 Ladies Club of Oklahoma City Scholarship Auditions.  As a member of the OSU trombone quartet, Brandon advanced to the national finals of the MTNA Chamber Music Competition in 2006 and 2007, earning third prize in 2007.  Brandon won the 2006 Eastern Trombone Workshop Solo Bass Trombone Competition for ages 18-22, and he also won second prize in the 2006 Hyechka Club of Tulsa Collegiate Instrumental Competition. Brandon received an honorable mention in the 2006 International Trombone Association Donald Yaxley Competition.  He is a recipient of both the Hiram Henry Award for outstanding OSU freshman low brass performer and the Dr. Max A. Mitchell Endowed Scholarship in Music Excellence.  Brandon was a finalist in both the 2004 and 2005 Glenn Miller Birthplace Society Instrumental Scholarship Competitions.

Brandon has been a member of the OSU Wind Ensemble, Trombone Ensemble, Cowboy Marching Band and Symphonic Band.

Ensembles:

• Wind Ensemble
• Symphonic Band
• Trombone Ensemble
• Cowboy Marching Band

Philip Flick
Euphonium/Tenor Trombone
Graduate Philosophy
Dewey, OK

Phil graduated from Dewey High School.  As a high school student, Phil studied at the Interlochen Summer Arts Camp on a Governor’s full scholarship.  He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in both Music and Philosophy from OSU.

Phil was a member of the United States Air Force Band Program for four years, two years with the Lackland Air Force Base Band of the West, and two years with the USAFE Band in Sembach, Germany.  Phil was one of ten finalists selected in the recent United States Army Band, “Pershing’s Own”, euphonium audition.  He has played euphonium in the OSU Wind Ensemble and trombone in the OSU Symphonic Band and Trombone Ensemble.  Phil has been a graduate assistant in both the OSU Music and Philosophy Department.

Ensembles:

• Wind Ensemble (euphonium)
• Symphonic Band
• Trombone Ensemble

Chad Garvin
Tenor Trombone/Euphonium
Music Business
Wagoner, OK

Chad graduated from Wagoner High School, and he is presently a senior music business major.  Chad recently completed an internship with Summit Records, an internationally distributed record label that promotes such artists as Joseph Alessi and the Summit Brass.   In addition to being a trombone and euphonium player, Chad is also a vocalist, and he has been a member of the OSU Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble I, Concert Chorale, Trombone Ensemble and Cowboy Marching Band.  Chad is also an active member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Professional Music Fraternity.   

Ensembles:

• Wind Ensemble
• Symphony Orchestra
• Jazz Ensemble I
• Symphonic Band
• Trombone Ensemble
• Concert Chorale
• Cowboy Marching Band

David Grounds
Tuba/Bass Trombone
Music Performance
Broken Arrow, OK

David graduated from Broken Arrow High School.  He is a tuba performance major with secondary study on bass trombone.  He was principal tubist of the OMEA All-State Ensembles all three years of high school and he was a member of the Tulsa Youth Symphony Orchestra.  David performed the Gregson Tuba Concerto with the Broken Arrow High School Band.  David has been a member of the OSU Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Cowboy Marching Band, Jazz Ensemble II and Trombone Ensemble.  

Ensembles:

• Wind Ensemble
• Symphony Orchestra
• Cowboy Marching Band
• Jazz Ensemble II
• Symphonic Band
• Trombone Ensemble

Zachary Hager
Tenor Trombone
Physiology
Edmond, OK

Zachary recently won third place in the national finals of the Music Teacher’s National Association Senior Brass Solo Competition, which took place in Toronto.  Zach graduated from Edmond North High School, where he was a member of the Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble.  He was also a member of the Oklahoma Youth Orchestra, CODA Honor Band and OMEA All-State Band.  Zachary has been a member of the OSU Cowboy Marching Band, Jazz Ensemble II, Trombone Ensemble, Symphonic Band and Symphony Orchestra.  He is an OSU Regents Distinguished Scholar and Oklahoma Academic Scholar.

Ensembles:

• Cowboy Marching Band
• Jazz Ensemble II
• Trombone Ensemble
• Symphonic Band
• Symphony Orchestra

Christopher Hoover
Tenor Trombone/Euphonium
Bio Chemistry/Music Minor
Sapulpa, OK

Christopher graduated from Sapulpa High School.  He was a member of the Tulsa Youth Symphony Orchestra and the NCDA Honor Band.  He plays both trombone and euphonium and is a member of Southwind Drum and Bugle Core, a Division I Drum Corps International Organization

Chris has been a member of the Cowboy Marching Band, Symphonic Band and Trombone Ensemble.  He is also a member of the OSU Student Senate, President’s Leadership Council and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Professional Music Fraternity.  In addition to his musical and academic accomplishments, Chris is also an Eagle Scout.    

Ensembles:

• Cowboy Marching Band
• Trombone Ensemble
• Symphonic Band

Steven Jessup
Tenor Trombone/Euphonium
Music Performance
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Steven Jessup is from Virginia Beach, VA, where he attended Salem High School and the Governor's School for the Arts.  Steven participated in the Virginia All-State Symphonic Band twice and he was also selected to perform with the John Philip Sousa National Honor Band.  In 2002, Steven played on the main stage of the Telluride Jazz Festival with the Young Razzcals Jazz Project.  He has also performed with the Old Dominion Wind Ensemble, Hampton Roads Youth Wind Ensemble, Bay Youth Symphony Orchestra, Park Avenue Brass Quintet, Latin Cats and the Tidewater Community Band.

Steven won the Bay Youth Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition, resulting in a performance of Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Concerto for Trombone, and he has also performed as soloist with the Salem High School Concert Band, Governor's School for the Arts Symphony Orchestra and Chester Middle School Band.  Steven has studied regularly with Dan Clemmons, Donna Parkes, Ross Walter, and Jim Decker and he has taken additional lessons from Don Lucas, James Miller and Dean Englert.  He has also performed in masterclasses for Joe Alessi, David Vining, Jonathan Lombardo, Steve Norell and Roger Rocco.

Ensembles:

• Wind ensemble
• Symphony Orchestra
• Trombone Ensemble

Austin Mahan
Tenor Trombone
Music Education
Broken Arrow, OK

Austin graduated from Broken Arrow High School.  He was a member of the award winning Broken Arrow Pride Marching Band that won the Bands of American Grand National Championship in 2006-2007 and performed at President George Bush’s Inauguration in 2004.  Austin received an Outstanding Soloist Award at the 2006-2007 state jazz competition, performing with the 5A state champion BA Jazz Ensemble I.  He was a member of all district bands from grades 9-12 and he received a superior rating at state solo contest. 

Austin is a member of the Cowboy Marching Band, Jazz Ensemble II and Trombone Ensemble.    

Ensembles:

• Cowboy Marching Band
• Jazz Ensemble II
• Trombone Ensemble

James Pickrel
Tenor Trombone/Bass Trombone
Music Business
Valley View, TX

James graduated from Pilot Point High School in Texas.  He was lead trombonist of the Association of Texas Small School Bands All-State Jazz Ensemble, which performed at the Texas Music Educator’s Association Convention in San Antonio. 

James is trombone section leader of the Cowboy Marching Band, and he has also played bass trombone in the OSU Symphony Orchestra and tenor trombone in Jazz Ensemble II, Symphonic Band and Trombone Ensemble.   

Ensembles:

• Cowboy Marching Band
• Jazz Ensemble II
• Symphonic Band
• Trombone Ensemble
• Symphony Orchestra (bass trombone)

Noel Seals
Bass Trombone/Tenor Trombone
Music Performance
Tulsa, OK

Noel graduated from Tulsa’s Booker T. Washington High School.  He was a member of the OMEA All-State Jazz Ensemble and the Tulsa Youth Symphony Orchestra.  Noel made the Tulsa All-City Band every year of high school on trombone, euphonium, trumpet, horn and tuba.  He received numerous superior ratings at both district and state solo and ensemble competitions.

Noel is an active composer and arranger, and both the OSU Wind Ensemble and Trombone Ensemble have performed his arrangements.  He plays bass trombone in the OSU Jazz Ensemble I, Symphony Orchestra and Trombone Ensemble.  Noel was a scholarship student at the 2007 Eastern Music Festival.   

Ensembles:

• Wind Ensemble (bassoon)
• Symphony Orchestra (bassoon)
• Jazz Ensemble I
• Symphonic Band
• Trombone Ensemble

Ted Sonnier
Tenor Trombone
Music Performance
Port O’Connor, TX

Ted is from Port O’Connor, TX, and graduated from Calhoun High School.  Ted won the 2007 Down Beat Magazine Student Music Award for Outstanding Classical Instrumental Soloist, and he was a member of the OSU Trombone Quartet that won third prize in the 2007 national finals of the MTNA Chamber Music Competition.  He is also a recipient of the Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce Scholarship.

Ted spent two years at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, where he studied trombone with Eileen and Andrew Russell.  While at Del Mar, Ted was twice selected to perform on the Music Department’s Honors Recital and he was twice principal trombonist of the Texas Community College Band Director’s Association All-State Concert Band, which performed at the Texas Music Educator’s Association Convention in San Antonio.  Ted received an honorable mention in the 2004 International Trombone Association Larry Wiehe Solo Competition.  He spent the summers of 2005 and 2006 performing with the Chautauqua Music School Festival Orchestra on full scholarship.  Ted has been a member of the OSU Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble I, Trombone Ensemble and Symphonic Band.     

Ensembles:

• Wind Ensemble
• Jazz Ensemble I
• Symphonic Band
• Trombone Ensemble
• Symphony Orchestra

Matthew Spinks
Tenor Trombone
Chemistry
McAlester, OK

Matthew graduated from McAlester High School, where he was a member of the MHS Marching Band, MHS Jazz Band, Steel Drum Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, the MHS Pit Orchestra, and the local McAlester Brass Balcony Orchestra. Matthew was a member of the OMEA All-State Ensembles three times, including being principal trombonist of the Symphony Orchestra his junior and senior years. He received OSSA Superior Soloist ratings from 7th-12th grade and was a member of the SEOBDA High School All-District Wind Symphony for 4 years.  He studied under Mr. Jason Smith for 7 years and under Mr. Paul Compton for 2 years.

In 2005, Matthew traveled with the Oklahoma Ambassadors of Music on their Summer European Tour. During 2006-2007 Matthew has been a member of the Oklahoma All-Star Centennial Band and participated in the 2007 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California.  Matthew is a member of the Cowboy Marching Band and the Trombone Ensemble. He has received the OSU Distinguished Regents Scholarship and the Walter Hamilton Endowed Scholarship for Chemistry.

Ensembles:

• Cowboy Marching Band
• Trombone Ensemble

Andrew Swann
Tenor Trombone
Music Education
Rainsville, AL

Andrew graduated from Plainview High School in Rainsville, AL. Andrew was a member of the AMEA All-State Ensemble for 3 years and received superior ratings in every county, district, and state solo competition from grades 8-12. He participated in numerous honor bands across Georgia and the Tennessee Valley and was principal trombonist of the Etowah Youth Wind Ensemble. Andrew also performed with the North East Alabama Community College jazz band during his last three years of high school.  Andrew has studied trombone with Dr. James Roberts and jazz with Mace Hibbard.

Ensembles:

• Cowboy Marching Band
• Trombone Ensemble

Stephen Torbert
Tenor Trombone/Euphonium
Music Performance
Lawton, OK

Stephen graduated from MacArthur High School in Lawton.  Stephen received a full scholarship to both the 2007 Bar Harbor Brass Week and the 2007 Hot Springs Music Festival.  He was recognized in two ITA Competitions in 2007, as alternate in the Lewis Van Haney Competition and honorable mention in the Frank Smith Competition.

As a member of the OSU trombone quartet, Stephen advanced to the National Finals of the MTNA Chamber Music Competition in 2006 and 2007, earning third prize in 2007. Stephen received the Hiram Henry Award for outstanding OSU freshman low brass performer.  As a sophomore, Stephen won the OSU Concerto Competition, performing the Lars-Erik Larsson Concertino with the Orchestra.  Stephen has also been a soloist with the OSU Wind Ensemble, performing Michael Daugherty’s Rosa Park Boulevard. Stephen is principal trombonist of the OSU Wind Ensemble and has also played in the OSU Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble I and Trombone Ensemble. He was a member of the OMEA All-State Ensembles three times.

Stephen won the Lawton Philharmonic Concerto Competition and performed the Ferdinand David Concertino with the Orchestra.  He also won the Assemblies of God National Instrumental Solo Competition twice, resulting in performances in Washington, D.C.

Ensembles:

• Wind Ensemble
• Symphonic Band
• Trombone Ensemble
• Jazz Ensemble I

Max Vowel
Tenor Trombone
Music Education
Guthrie, OK

Max graduated from Guthrie High School where he was a member of the Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble, Marching Band and Choir.  Max is a vocal music education major and he was a member of the OMEA All-State Chorus twice.  He was a member of both the Guthrie Choir and Wind Ensemble that were selected as OMEA Honor Ensembles.  Max was head drum major of the Guthrie Marching Band.  He is presently a member of the Cowboy Marching Band, Concert Chorale and Trombone Ensemble. 

Ensembles:

• Cowboy Marching Band
• Concert Chorale
• Trombone Ensemble

Michael Walta
Tenor Trombone
Music Education
Hennessey, OK

Michael is a senior music education major from Hennessey High School, where he continues to assist with low brass lessons and marching band.  Michael has served as section leader of the Cowboy Marching Band trombone section, and as lead trombonist of the OSU Spirit Band.  He has also been a member of the OSU Symphonic Band, Trombone Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble II, and he is a frequent substitute trombonist with the Enid Symphony Orchestra.

Ensembles:

• Cowboy Marching Band
• Symphonic Band
• Trombone Ensemble
• Spirit Band

Steven Warren
Tenor Trombone/Euphonium
Music Performance
Ponca City, OK

Steven graduated from Ponca City High School, where he was a member of the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and Brass Quintet. He traveled to the Midwest clinic with the symphony orchestra in 2003-2004 where he played bass trombone. He successfully auditioned for both the 2006-2007 OMEA All-State Band and Jazz Band, where he performed with the Band.  Steven received the 2007 John Phillip Sousa Award for Outstanding Senior Band Musician and the Homer Dodge Caine Memorial Award for Outstanding Brass Musician.  Steven also received superior ratings at district and state solo and ensemble competitions, and he performed the Ferdinand David Concertino Op. 4 with the Ponca City High School Symphony Orchestra.  He has received the Outstanding Brass Musician award from the NOC honor band for the past 5 years. He was a finalist in the 2007 Glenn Miller Birthplace Society Instrumental Scholarship Competition. Steven received the 2007-2008 Hiram Henry Scholarship for outstanding OSU freshman low brass player.

Steven is a member of the Cowboy Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Trombone Ensemble, and Brass Quintet.

Ensembles:

• Cowboy Marching Band
• Wind Ensemble
• Symphony Orchestra
• Trombone Ensemble
• Brass Quintet

Isaac Washam
Tenor Trombone
Music Performance
Stillwater, OK

Isaac is a music performance major from Stillwater. He was a scholarship student at the 2007 Eastern Music Festival, where he was also a winner in the Concerto Competition. As a result, Isaac performed Paul Creston’s Fantasy for Trombone and Orchestra with the EMF Orchestra.  Isaac won the silver prize in the 2007 Crescendo Music Awards Orchestral Instrument Division, second prize in the 2007 Hyechka Club of Tulsa Collegiate Instrumental Competition, collegiate prize in the 2007 St. Cecilia Scholarship Competition, Manion Award for Excellence in Trombone at the 2007 Ladies Club of Oklahoma City Scholarship Auditions and he was a national finalist in the 2007 MTNA Young Artist Brass Solo Competition. He also won the 2006-2007 OSU Concerto Competition, and performed the Ferdinand David Concertino Op. 4 with the OSU Symphony Orchestra.

As a member of the OSU trombone quartet, Isaac advanced to the national finals of the MTNA Chamber Music Competition in 2006 and 2007, earning third prize in 2007.    In the summer of 2006, Isaac won first prize in the Glenn Miller Birthplace Society Instrumental Scholarship Competition and he won the International Trombone Association Gilberto Gagliardi Solo Competition. Isaac received the 2005-2006 Hiram Henry Award for outstanding OSU freshman low brass player, and he is also a recipient of the OSU Music Department Harrill Scholarship.

Isaac has been a member of the OSU Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble I, Symphonic Band and Trombone Ensemble. While in high school, Isaac was a member of the OMEA All-State Ensembles three times, including being principal trombonist of the Symphony Orchestra.  Isaac studied at the Interlochen Summer Arts Camp in 2004, serving as principal trombonist of the World Youth Symphony Orchestra. Isaac also won both the orchestral instrument division of the Tulsa Rotary Club’s Crescendo Music Awards and the grand prize in the Lauren Carver Concerto Competition at the Oklahoma Music Olympics.  Isaac performed the first movement of Derek Bourgeois Trombone Concerto with the Stillwater High School Band on his final concert. In addition to his musical achievements Isaac is also an Eagle Scout.

Ensembles:

• Wind Ensemble
• Jazz Ensemble I
• Symphony Orchestra
• Symphonics Band
• Trombone Ensemble