3. Eastman School of Music – Rochester, NY
Notable Faculty: John Marcellus
A rare teaching talent residing at the Eastman School of Music, John Marcellus has held an unusually large influence in the field of classical trombone music since his 1978 appointment to his current professorship. His students have accomplished the most impressive feats of trombonists, having accepted positions and appointments to the most august of music faculties, including Yale, Manhattan School of Music, UCLA, and a number of prestigious ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic, the Cleveland Symphony, and the Seattle Symphony. Certainly, with such an impressive track record of launching students into monetarily successful careers as trombonists, John Marcellus is considered a top professor of trombone in the US who takes on exceptional talent.
2. DePaul School of Music – Chicago, IL
Notable Faculty: Charles Vernon
A widely regarded bass trombonist and teacher to myriads of young trombonists, Charles Vernon, bass trombonist of the Chicago Symphony, is one of the most highly profiled and well-known trombonists active in classical music. Having previously taught at Northwestern University, his pedagogical career extends for over thirty years, and he has fathered scores of important young trombonists in America. Pursuing DePaul is a must for the most serious of trombonists, particularly those interested in bass trombone performance.
Listen to the Faculty: Check out Charles Vernon performing bass trombone music of modern American composers
1. Juilliard School – New York, NY
Notable Faculty: Joseph Alessi, Per Brevig
Attaining the position of principal trombone of one of America’s most storied and important classical orchestras, the New York Philharmonic, is simply one bullet point on the resume’ of the world-renowned virtuoso trombonist and Juilliard instructor Joseph Alessi. Widely considered as possibly the greatest trombonist in existence, perhaps ever, Alessi only takes on the most impressive young talent at Juilliard, making his studio one of the most desirable studios of any instrument at any school. Other faculty members include Per Brevig, who has sent many of the finest young classical trombone musicians to orchestral appointments in the worlds most recognized classical ensembles.
Listen to the Faculty: Check out Joseph Alessi on his classic recording Trombonastics