About MATA
The Mid-Atlantic Trombone Alliance (MATA) is a consortium of Shenandoah Conservatory of Shenandoah University, Towson University, George Mason University, George Washington University and Shepherd University trombone departments.
The Trifecta
The Mid-Atlantic Trombone Alliance presents The Trifecta, an afternoon focused on performance, composition and well-being for low brass players.
High school students, college students and adult low brass musicians — including trombone, euphonium and tuba players — are welcome.
This free event allows participants to engage in an array of coaching sessions, masterclasses, concerts and reading sessions.
Faculty
Zach Bridges
Tuba
Shenandoah University
Dr. Alan Carr
Bass Trombone
George Mason University
Dr. Jeffrey Cortazzo
Bass Trombone
Shenandoah University
Jay Crone
Trombone
Virginia Tech
Kyle Gordon
Bass Trombone
Thein Artist
Frank Gulino
Composer & Arranger
Dr. Scott Hippensteel
Bass Trombone
Shepherd University
Angela Johnson
Full-Blown Trombone
James Kraft
Trombone & Euphonium
Former National Symphony Orchestra Member
Zenas Kim-Banther
Trombone
Nathaniel Lease
Trombone
Hagerstown Community College
Madeline A. Lee
Composer & Arranger
James Martin
Trombone
Shepherd University
Dr. Matthew Niess
Trombone
Shenandoah University
Dr. Kyle Remnant
Trombone
Eastern Mennonite University
Guest Ensemble
Mr. Jefferson’s Bones is comprised of some of the Shenandoah Valley’s most experienced and talented professional trombonists and enjoys performing a wide variety of classical, sacred, popular and jazz repertoire. The group’s members include Andy Lankford, Tom McKenzie, Robert Mott, Jay Crone and Kyle Remnant. “MJB” is most proud of its annual trombone festival — Tromblow’in — typically held each January at James Madison University, which gives trombonists of all ages and abilities a day of workshops, concerts and clinics with professionals from around the state and country.
Schedule
| 9 a.m. | Registration Opens |
| 10 a.m. | Well-being, Warm-ups |
| 11 a.m. | Lessons, Rehearsals |
| 12 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1 p.m. | Faculty Recital |
| 2 p.m. | Masterclasses, Workshops, Lessons |
| 3 p.m. | Workshops, Forums, Lessons |
| 4 p.m. | Ensemble Rehearsal |
| 5 p.m. | Final Concert |
Vendors
- Chuck Levin’s Washington Music Center
- Edwards Instruments
- Little Dog Band Repairs (Chaz McCown)
College Performers
The day is packed with trombone choir time, a well-being session, masterclass time, a faculty recital and an evening public recital open to all attendees to join in. Former National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) associate principal trombone Jim Kraft will present on doubling with euphonium for trombonists. When registering, please note if you have a request for any faculty member for coaching.
Young Performers
Low Brass Day
Young performers (ages 13–17) will enjoy Low Brass Day with Jim Kraft, Angela Johnson and Nathaniel Lease with a special presentation of “From the page to the stage: common playing challenges and how to overcome them.”
Attendees will work in a trombone choir and learn the basics of music from experienced teacher Angela Johnson. They will have a presentation on jazz by Dr. Matthew Niess, masterclass by Jim Kraft from the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) and present their choir music at the 5 p.m. concert for family members. They will have a chance to see the open forum session of the composition workshop and ask anything they might be wondering about where music they perform even comes from. Family and friends are invited watch them perform in a trombone choir at the 5 p.m. concert.
Composers
There will be events all day long for composers and those interested in composition. When registering, select composition lesson and attendees will have an open lesson during the composition forum morning sessions. Afternoon sessions will be geared for more general audiences with the composers in an open forum.
Frank Center, Shepherd University
Registration will be in the lobby as you enter the building.
Please avoid the “faculty” parking spaces but use any available spot in front of the Frank Center.
Contact Us
James Martin ’23 (D.M.A. in Performance)
Adjunct Faculty
Shepherd University
jmart01@shepherd.edu
Dr. Matthew Niess
Trombone Artist-in-Residence
Shenandoah Conservatory
mniess@su.edu
