Bass Trombone

The Aspen Music Festival and School bass trombone department offers the opportunity to play premier assignments alongside artist-faculty from major U.S. orchestras or as principal in a variety of ensembles. For details on the student orchestral experience, please see the Orchestra/Instrumental program page. 

Please see our Fellowships and Financial Aid page to learn more about our many fellowship and scholarship opportunities available to full session applicants.

Important Program Information

  • Applicants should submit the financial aid form for access to all funding opportunities.
  • VIDEO audition recordings are required.
  • Tenor trombone must audition with tenor trombone repertoire.
  • Bass trombone must audition with bass trombone repertoire.
  • Additional repertoire is required for euphonium consideration.
  • Students under the age of 18 do not play in orchestra but may take private lessons and participate in chamber music.

Teaching Faculty

Faculty residencies may vary.

How to Apply

APPLICATION OPENS SEPTEMBER 15
  • Resume required
  • Two letters of recommendation encouraged but not required

AUDITION REPERTOIRE

ALL REPERTOIRE MUST BE SUBMITTED IN INDIVIDUAL VIDEO TRACKS.
Do not include your name in the video title or description. 

BASS TROMBONE: Choose 4 or 5 of the excerpts below.  plus a solo of your choice, for a total of 5 or 6 video tracks. Accompaniment and memorization not required.

  • BERLIOZ: Hungarian March; 6 m. before Reh. 4 through 2 after Reh. 5
  • SCHUMANN: Symphony 3 "Rhenish"; first 2 passages of movement 4
  • WAGNER: Ride of the Valkyries from Die Walküre (major section only)
  • STRAUSS: Ein Heldenleben; Reh. 51 through 2 after 56; Reh. 61 through 1 after 65; Reh. 71 through 74
  • KODÁLY: Háry János Suite; Movement IV from poco meno mosso through the end of passage (sfff 8th notes)
  • NIELSEN: Flute Concerto; solo at m. 81 until D
  • STRAUSS: Til Eulenspiegel; 3 after Reh. 18 through 5 before 20; Reh. 36 to 3 before 38

Optional

  • An additional work of your choice by an underrepresented composer (maximum of 3 minutes of any portion of that work) for a total of 7 video tracks. This piece may also serve as the solo of your choice, for a total of 5 or 6 video tracks. Please see a list of suggested solos.

EUPHONIUM (full session only): To be considered for euphonium placement, please include the following excerpt. 

  • ARBAN: Fourteen Characteristic Studies (select one)
     
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Application Fees & Deadlines

Deadline: January 5, 2025
Application opens September 15, 2024

Application Fee(s):

$30 September 15–October 15, 2024
$60 October 16–December 15, 2024
$110 December 16, 2024–January 5, 2025