Trombone Studio
At Northern Arizona University, trombone students get personalized attention and play in high quality ensembles. We have excellent academics, a low student-to-teacher ratio and cutting edge trombone teaching you won’t find elsewhere. If you are ready to learn from one of the best teachers on one of the most beautiful campuses in the country, click here to send Professor Vining an e-mail.
Trombonists at NAU are invited to audition for one of our many fine ensembles, including the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band and Marching Lumberjacks; Jazz Bands and Jazz Combos; Symphony Orchestra, and Brass Quintets and Brass Choir. In addition, all trombonists are invited to join the NAU Trombone Choir.
Professor David Vining has published many helpful and innovative books on how to play the trombone including The Breathing Book, Flow Studies, What Every Trombonist Needs to Know About the Body and the best selling Daily Routines. Click here to read his biography.
You are invited to visit our campus to take a free lesson with Professor Vining. Just contact him to suggest a date and time and to work out the details of your visit.
Auditions
About auditioning for the studio
Before you schedule your audition, you need to apply to NAU and apply to the School of Music. Please see the School of Music admission page for details about how to apply and schedule this audition.
What is an audition like?
Your audition will consist of you playing for professor Vining and also having a mini-lesson with him. This mini-lesson is simply a way you can get to know each other and learn a little about Professor Vining’s teaching style. You will also come away with a few helpful tips to improve your playing. When you come for your audition, we are certainly auditioning you but you are also auditioning us! Take the opportunity to ask questions and get to know our program.
How to prepare for your audition
- Prepare a standard trombone solo which includes some lyrical and some technical playing. Suggested solos include: Guilmant – Morceau Symphonique, Barat – Andante and Allegro, Rimsky-Korsakov – Concerto, David – Concertino, Grondahl – Concerto
Certainly you are welcome to play something different but please do not play your band music. You are welcome to use your all-state or regional etudes if you would like. - Practice all major scales.
- Practice your sight reading.
- Ask a lot of questions!
For additional information please see trombone audition repertoire.
About financial aid
You will be automatically considered for a School of Music Scholarship on the basis of your audition.
Studio experience
In this studio, students are expected to fulfill their full musical potential on trombone. Students will be required to work on and improve the fundamentals of music-making daily: Tone, Intonation, and Rhythm. In addition, the more sophisticated elements of performing will be developed: Phrasing, Vibrato, Articulation, Improvisation, Range and Consistency. Each student is expected to strive to fulfill his or her complete individual musical potential. By the end of the semester, students will be expected to perform a solo jury at an appropriate level.
Students will receive one lesson per week and are expected to practice diligently outside of that lesson time in order to improve their music-making skills. This course is collaboration between student and professor and communication (both verbal and musical) is extremely important.
Each lesson will be structured as follows:
15 minutes: Fundamentals/Projects
15 Minutes: Etudes/Scales
15 Minutes: Repertoire
15 Minutes: Discretionary
For those taking trombone lessons
- Practice regularly and attend weekly lessons.Practice Expectations:All Students: One Routine per day (20-30 minutes)
Music Ed majors: 5 one-hour sessions per week in addition to the routine sessions
Music Performance Majors: 10 one-hour sessions per week in addition to the routine sessions - Come to lessons on time, warmed up and well prepared. The daily routine is a requirement of lessons. Being well prepared includes marking in definitions for unfamiliar musical terms, displaying careful thought regarding tempo, phrasing, breath marks, alternate positions and fingerings and in general showing that you have solved technical and musical problems through patient, effective practice.
- Keep a practice journal showing assignments and practice habits.
- Participate in studio class on Tuesdays and some Thursdays 11:10-12:20. Some exceptions may be made for this requirement.
- Attend trombone-related events as posted. This includes trombone student recitals, guest artists and faculty recitals.
- Purchase supplies and music as needed.
- Communicate with your teacher concerning your applied study problems and progress.
- Display evidence of developing leadership qualities and a professional attitude. This includes respecting other members of the studio and supporting them in everyday activities throughout the school of music. Exhibit a positive attitude toward your peers and professors and take responsibility for your own improvement.
- Play your solo with accompanist for the trombone and euphonium studio recital and for an end-of-semester jury.
Performance opportunities
Trombonists at NAU regularly perform as members of orchestras, bands, and smaller chamber ensembles, including:
Wind Symphony
Symphonic Band
Lumberjack Marching Band
Jazz Bands
Jazz Combos
Symphony Orchestra
Brass Quintets
Trombone Quartets
Trombone Choir
Read more about large ensembles at:
Resources
I constructed this site in April of 2011 to help trombonists with various playing issues. It provides a means for readers to contact me with questions or set up skype lessons in addition to links to many of my publications. Since its inception, trombonetools has received 75,000 hits.
This is the storefront for my publishing company where you can find product descriptions and samples.
This site is autobiographical and documents my recovery from dystonia.
Performances by David Vining
Concerto, movement 2 – Henri Tomasi
Solo Trombone with the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra
Recorded January 27, 2012