Hopefully many of you were able to celebrate the end of 2012 and the beginning of a fresh New Year. Thank you all who have followed my throughout my interesting 2012. The year was good to me and there were many things to be thankful for, including a successful recital in March, and a performance at Carnegie Hall in April. My graduation from Yale in May and the successful funding of a new work for trombone composed by Stephen Feigenbaum, and a return to my residency at the Monomoy Theatre in June, followed almost immediately by a trip to Paris to attend and compete in the International Trombone Association’s Alto Trombone Competition. I began a D.M.A. in Trombone at The Hartt School, and also teach a few courses of my own, including directing The Hartt Trombone Ensemble, beginning this past September, and gave another recital on thoughts of war in late October. November saw a performance of Bolero with the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra, and my own wedding. December culminated in a huge outpouring of support and friendship to the victims of the horrific shooting in Newtown with a very successful benefit concert to support the families, and bring holiday tidings and cheer to the community. Together we raised nearly $1200 dollars with The Hartt Trombone Ensemble. A great year possible only thanks to your support and interest. Thank you!

As I look forward into the coming month, I have a few interesting events to grab your attention. The first event is for those who may know any who will apply to The Hartt School in the future, as The Hartt Trombone Ensemble performs for prospective students, auditionees and their families. On February 9, 2013 at 8:00pm in Millard Auditorium at The Hartt School, I will give a recital titled “On American Soil” featuring music written in the United States. The program will include Halsey Steven’s “Sonata for Trombone and Piano” and Paul Hindemith’s “Sonata for Alto Horn” as well as works by Stephen Gryc, Edward Diemente, Samuel Barber, and the world premiere of the Kickstarter Piece “Feedback Loop Death” by Stephen Feigenbaum.

On Wednesday, February 13, 2013 also in Millard at 7:30pm I will premiere a new concerto for trombone by Timothy A. Cooper with Hartt’s Foot in the Door Ensemble. Tim has written a real screamer for trombone and this is sure to be a great concert featuring 6 brand new concerti written for the ensemble.

That’s just a sample of what’s to come in 2013. Thank you all for your support and I look forward to seeing some of your faces in the audience at these exciting events.