Brass Day
UT Brass Day is a workshop experience for high school and collegiate musicians. Attendees with play in a large brass ensemble, receive a masterclass from the special guest artist, and hear solo performances by both the guest and UT Faculty.
When: February 14, 2025. Plan to spend between 9am and 5pm at the event, and exact times will be emailed to participants as the event draws nearer.
Where: UT Natalie L. Haslam College of Music, 1741 Volunteer Blvd, Knoxville, TN 37916. Parking is free in the large parking lot immediately north of the building. Meet us in the main lobby!
Why: Because we will make you better! Hearing our guest artist play, receiving instruction from UTK Faculty, and participating in music making at a high level is sure to enhance your playing and knowledge of your instrument. Also, lunch is included!
Check back during the fall semester for a form to register for this free event.
Guest Artist: SEVEN19
Trombone and Guitar. Unusual? Yes. Necessary? Most Definitely. Award-Winning Trombonist Ben McIlwain and International Guitarist Nicholas Ciraldo combine to form Seven19. The mission of Seven19 is to champion music – new and old – for trombone and guitar. Genres from pop/rock/metal to classical/modern, Seven19 endeavors to expand the musical horizon of this duo combination. Acoustic and electric guitar plus acoustic and electric trombone equal a new and exciting instrumental combination that up until now has been largely ignored if not avoided. For more information follow us on Instagram – @whoisSeven19 or check out our website – www.whoisSeven19.com
Ben McIlwain
An avid supporter of modern music, Dr. Ben McIlwain has commissioned and premiered over fifty works for trombone. In 2012, Dr. McIlwain’s chamber ensemble, Tromboteam, raised $10,000 through Kickstarter.com and commissioned nine new works for trombone ensemble, which have been recorded on the group’s first album, Last Lap. Dr. McIlwain has performed recently at the International Trombone Festival, American Trombone Workshop, Southeast Trombone Symposium, the International Tuba and Euphonium Conference, and the International Horn Symposium. Notable past performances include soloing with the U.S. Army Pershing’s Own at the American Trombone Workshop in March 2015. In addition, he is the recipient of the Junior Faculty Creative Activity Award (2013), the College of Arts and Letters’ Junior Faculty of the Year award, the Aubrey Keith Lucas and Ella Ginn Lucas Endowment for Faculty Excellence (2014) and the Nina Bells Suggs Endowed Professorship (2014) from The University of Southern Mississippi. Currently on faculty at The University of Southern Mississippi, Dr. McIlwain holds degrees from Middle Tennessee State University, Manhattan School of Music, and The Florida State University. Dr. Ben McIlwain is a Performing Artist for S.E. Shires Trombones and released his debut solo album, Indefatigable, with colleagues Ellen Elder and Jackie McIlwain in 2022. This album was named a Global Music Awards winner for Outstanding Achievement (Instrumentalist). The International Trombone Association Journal review of this album states that “McIlwain brings each story to life with a wide range of tone colors, a vast articulation palette, and deliberate technical execution…McIlwain plays with exquisite musical intent; each phrase is crafted to convey maximum sensitivity, and emotion…Indefatigable contains wonderfully artistic performances and stirring compositions and makes the album a strong contribution to the solo trombone genre.” For more information visit his website – www.frettedslide.com.
Nicholas Ciraldo
Nicholas Ciraldo won awards at the Tredrez-Locquemau, Gaetano Zinetti, GFA, Portland, and MTNA guitar competitions. He now enjoys numerous performances across four continents, playing in such venues as the United States’ Jordan Hall, Germany’s Berliner Dom, and Brazil’s Teatro José Maria Santos. Ciraldo has released three albums for solo guitar. Soundboard magazine states that Ciraldo’s “performances…are, without reservations, marvelous…with abundant technique and commitment to the music…one of the best….” Allmusic.com defines his playing as “confident…goes right to the heart of the music, with his precise, active, athletic style.” The Baton Rouge Advocate reviews him as “definitely in command….generating a collective gasp of amazement in the audience.” Kansas City’s Journal of the Performing Arts said Ciraldo’s “touch was nimble and delicate…the instrument was a clear extension of the performer….” He is Professor of Music at The University of Southern Mississippi School of Music.
Schedule
| Time | Event |
| 9:15 a.m. | Registration (College of Music Atrium) |
| 10:00 a.m. | Introduction and Faculty Performances |
| 10:30 a.m. | Instrument Specific Warm-Up |
| 11:30 a.m. | Guest Masterclasses |
| 12:30 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1:30 p.m. | Instrument Specific Warm-Up |
| 2:15 p.m. | All brass rehearsal |
| 3:30 p.m. | Guest Recital / Final Event |
| 4:30 p.m. | Choirs and all students brass ensemble performance |
Location / Parking
All activities will be held in the Natalie L. Haslam Music Center, 1741 Volunteer Blvd., Knoxville, TN 37996.
CLICK HERE for an interactive map of the Natalie L. Haslam Music Center and visitor parking lots.
Contacts
Alex van Duuren
Associate Professor of Trombone, Coordinator of Brass
UT School of Music
306 Natalie L. Haslam Music Center
Knoxville, TN 37996
Phone: 865-974-4776
Email: aduuren@utk.edu
Katie Johnson-Webb
Associate Professor of Horn
UT School of Music
305 Natalie L. Haslam Music Center
Knoxville, TN 37996
Email: kjohn138@utk.edu
Alexander Lapins
Associate Professor of Tuba/Euphonium
UT School of Music
307 Natalie L. Haslam Music Center
Knoxville, TN 37996
Phone: 865-974-6310
Email: alapins@utk.edu
Arthur Zanin
Assistant Professor of Trumpet
UT School of Music
303 Natalie L. Haslam Music Center
Knoxville, TN 37996
Phone: 865-974-4881
Email: adecamar@utk.edu