FAQs
What does a typical week look like for a Southern Miss trombone major?
Each trombonist receives a one hour lesson, attends studio class, and rehearses with the trombone choir on a weekly basis. Additionally, students will have multiple rehearsals with one of the concert bands: (Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, or Concert Band). The orchestra, jazz bands, and the Select Trombone Octet are auditioned groups. In the fall, the Pride of Mississippi Marching Band rehearses and performs at all home games and some away games including bowl games. In addition to these music rehearsals and the weekly trombone lesson, students will have academic music classes and non-music classes (English, Math, Science, History, etc.). Many students practice in any openings in their class schedules and early morning / late evening.
Are there undergraduate music scholarships for out-of-state students as well as in-state students?
In the USM School of Music, music scholarships are called service awards. Following a successful admission audition, you will be notified of any possible service awards available to you. In-state and out-of-state students are eligible for these awards, which can be stacked on top of academic and university scholarships up to the cost of attendance.
Is there funding available for graduate students?
Yes! There are graduate assistantships available for both MM and DMA trombone majors. Please get in touch if you would like more information.
What does the admission process entail?
After you apply to the university (which should be done by Dec. 1), you will need to audition for the brass faculty. Undergraduate auditions are held by myself and one other brass faculty member, while graduate auditions are always in front of the entire brass faculty. Audition music can be found here, but please talk with me if you have any questions or other repertoire that you would like to play. Following your audition, you will receive communication from the School of Music (undergrads) and the Graduate School (grad students)regarding admission. Undergraduate band service awards will be offered by the USM Bands, while graduate assistantship offers will come from the School of Music administration. Of course, you should feel free to contact me if you have any questions during this process.
All interested students should get in touch with me as soon as possible. I am happy to discuss this process further, meet for a lesson, and arrange a campus tour prior to your audition.
What is your teaching philosophy?
Being an applied trombone professor in higher academia comes with vast and diverse responsibilities. The success of the trombone studio is truly dependent upon me. Every component including recruitment, mentorship, musicianship, camaraderie, ownership, and being strong ambassadors for the trombone studio, the School of Music, and the University, ultimately is my responsibility as the applied trombone professor. My desire as a teacher is to work myself out of a job by encouraging my students to become their own best teachers. With this in mind, I focus on a methodical and goal-oriented approach with each student. This includes not only developing short and long-term goals with the student, but also helping to provide the tools for success as they strive for improvement in the practice room and the real world. All of these methodologies and approaches are under the umbrella of creating a safe, yet challenging, environment in the trombone studio that motivates and champions each student to become better from year to year, while welcoming new students and celebrating our alumni.
Most importantly, trust and respect are cornerstones of my teaching. Not only is it vital that the students trust and respect me to help guide them toward their goals, but I must also trust and respect the students as unique aspiring creative performance artists in their own right. Without this two-way street of trust and respect, the relationship between teacher and student will never reach its fullest potential.
Can I visit and get a lesson?
Yes, most definitely! In fact, I encourage every prospective student to visit campus, talk with my current students, shadow studio members in their academic classes and ensemble rehearsals, and get a lesson with me. Get in touch with me and I will set it up!