About the Trombone Studio

 For the 2024-25 school year there are 10 trombone majors, all of whom study privately with Jeremy Wilson:

• 8 tenor trombonists, 2 bass trombonists (most everyone doubles, though)

• 2 first-years, 2 sophomores, 3 juniors, 3 seniors

• Students from 7 US states (CT, FL, OK, TN, TX, VA, WI)

Vanderbilt trombonists participate in the Vanderbilt Symphony Orchestra, the Vanderbilt Wind Symphony, and the Blair Big Band, as well as various small brass ensembles through Blair’s wonderful chamber music program. The Vanderbilt Trombone Ensemble was founded in Spring 2013 to enhance our students’ private lesson study through rehearsal and performance of the ever increasing number of high-quality trombone ensemble works. Students typically have a one-hour private lesson each week, and music majors must also sign up for our weekly Trombone Performance Class.

In addition to the trombone majors in our collegiate program, we also have several Vanderbilt students who take elective trombone lessons as part of a music minor and/or secondary major. These students typically study with Nick Laufer, Adjunct Artist Teacher of Trombone, who is also our primary trombone instructor in Blair’s fantastic precollege and adult program, Blair Academy at Vanderbilt.

Vanderbilt trombonists are nationally and internationally recognized for their musical and academic excellence, commitment to professionalism, and personal integrity. We have had numerous finalists and winners of major competitions over the years, including the American Trombone Workshop and International Trombone Association competitions at multiple levels. Our students regularly attend some of the most prestigious Summer festivals, including Aspen Music Festival, National Repertory Orchestra, Brevard Music Center, Eastern Music Festival, and many more.

Our students get the opportunity to perform and record professionally in Music City’s thriving arts scene, even during undergraduate study. They sub with the Nashville Symphony, the Chattanooga Symphony, the Huntsville Symphony, and others; they record video game and film scores at famous studios like Ocean Way; they perform with major mainstream artists in places like the Ryman Auditorium and Bridgestone Arena, and they play jazz/commercial styles in other legendary venues around Nashville. Many of our alumni go on to study in illustrious graduate programs, including Yale, Northwestern, UCLA, and DePaul, just to name a few.