Each year Valdosta State University hosts the Georgia Honors Low Brass Choir. This two-day event is designed to give outstanding high school low brass players exposure to challenging ensemble repertoire and other excellent musicians. The event will focus on the fundamental skills required for good ensemble playing and offer clinics and master classes designed to develop the students' abilities on their chosen instruments. The timing of the event is scheduled to help renew the students' enthusiasm for their instruments as well as wind ensemble or concert band for the ensuing "Concert Season".

All students perform in one small and one large ensemble as well as a mass choir. Ensembles will be conducted by guest artists and master-classes will be presented by the Low Brass faculty at Valdosta State University and our guest artists. The event concludes with a concert featuring each small and large ensemble.

Auditions include the All-State music from your state and age group, C, F, Bb, Eb, Ab, G scales two octaves and sight-reading.  With All-State auditions fast approaching, this is a great time to practice your audition!  If you are not auditioning for All-State, your band director can choose two contrasting etudes for you to play at the audition. 

SPECIAL GUEST CLINICIANS

CTQ (Continental Trombone Quartet) Appearance made possible in part by Getzen Company's Sponsorship of this event!

Members of CTQ:  Dr. Pete Madsen, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Dr. Mark Sheridan-Rabideau, Millersville State University, Dr. Steve Wilson, University of Texas at El Paso and Dr. Doug Farwell, VSU.  CTQ was formed in 2004 and has had a very successful beginning.  All members of CTQ have been clinicians in previous GHLBC events and are excited about coming back to VSU to work with all participants.  Over the past year and a half, CTQ has performed or  at two regional CMS conferences; Eastern Trombone Workshop, in Washington DC;  IAJE in Long Beach, CA; Alcala de Henares, Spain; Puebla, Mexico; Quebec City, Canada; Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago and various recitals in Omaha, and Hastings, NE; Liberty and Columbia MO, Millersville, PA, Valdosta, GA, Gainesville, Tallahassee and Tampa, FL,  Austin and El Paso, TX. 

Dedicated to the performance of original works composed for the modern trombone quartet, both by members within the ensemble and composers commissioned by the quartet, CTQ embraces a wide range of styles, performing music influenced by classical, avant-garde, Latin, jazz and popular styles.  Dr. Doug Farwell and Dr. Steve Wilson are current Getzen Artist/Clinicians.

Right to left: Dr. Pete Madsen, Dr. Mark Sheridan-Rabideau, Dr. Steve Wilson and Dr. Doug Farwell

Christopher Quade

Currently principal tubist with the United States Air-Force Band in Washington, DC.  Chris was a former faculty member at VSU before winning the position with the Air-Force Band. VSU is excited to welcome back Mr. Quade. 

Lloyd Bone

Tuba/Euphonium professor at Glenville State University