Frühling Posaunen Comes to Penn State
The Penn State Trombone Studio under the direction of Professor Mark L. Lusk is continuing the annual tradition of the Frühling Posaunen Festival on Sunday, April 10th! This year the event invites new student guest along with legendary recording artists like Bill Reichenbach, and Michael Davis, along with one of today’s most recognized duos, the Duo steiner-Hochwartner. The event’s final concert will also feature guest performances from the University of Delaware Trombone Choir, Indiana University of Pennsylvania Trombone Choir, West Virginia University Trombone Ensemble, Penn State Trombone Choir, and a joint performance with all the visiting choirs at the finale of the festival.
Schedule of Events
11:30: Groups arrive State College, settle in individual rooms:
University of Delaware in Room 115 Music Building I
West Virginia University in Room 117 Music Building I
Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Room
100 Music Building12:00 - 12:30: Welcome, and Grand Finale Rehearsal (Biebl Ave Maria)
in Recital Hall15-minute Intermission (water, juice, and snack-bars provided)
12:45 - 2:15: Michael Davis and Bill Reichenbach Recital/”Recording Session” with the All-Star Collegiate Trombone Quartet
in Esber Rehearsal hall
featuring
Marko Marcinko, drums, Alexander McLauphlin, bass, and Daniel Spearman, piano15-minute Intermission (water, juice, fruit, and snack-bars provided)
2:30 - 3:30: Duo Steiner-Hochwartner Recital/Discussion with Professor Lusk
in Recital Hall30-minute Intermission (water, juice, fruit, and snack-bars provided)
4:00 - 5:30: 31st Frühling Posaunen Concert (featuring, Peter Steiner and Constanze Hochwartner, Michael Davis, and Bill Reichenbach, (Recital Hall)
Our Special Guests
Bill Reichenbach
A native of Takoma Park, Maryland, Bill was educated at the Eastman School of Music where he studied with Emory Remington. Relocating to Los Angeles in 1975, Bill has played on at least 1000 records, 600 movies plus countless jingles and television shows. Primarily a bass trombone player, Bill also plays tenor trombone, contra bass trombone, euphonium and tuba. The Bill Reichenbach Quartet CD continues to be heard on jazz radio stations throughout the country.
Michael Davis
Trombonist/composer Michael Davis has enjoyed a diverse and acclaimed career over the past 35 years. Widely known as the trombonist for five world tours with the Rolling Stones, he toured and recorded extensively with Frank Sinatra, has released 11 CDs as a solo artist, composed over 150 works, authored a dozen books for brass players of all levels and appeared on over 500 CDs, television themes and motion picture soundtracks. He is the founder, creator and president of Hip-Bone Music, Inc. In 2011, the S.E. Shires Company released the Michael Davis signature model trombone and followed that in 2014 with the release of the Michael Davis+ trombone.
Peter Steiner and Constanze Hochwartner
Italian trombonist Peter Steiner’s playing has been described as “beautifully controlled with a vocal sound” and he is recognized around the world as “a new trombone star within his generation” who “plays with total control”.
In 2019 he was honoured as a Prize Winner at the XVI International Tchaikovsky Competition in Russia. His 2018-2019 season involved extensive international travel and featured over 100 performances, including a 3-month World Tour of the United States, Europe, Asia and South America with Constanze Hochwartner (piano/organ) as Duo Steiner-Hochwartner, as well as solo concerts with orchestras around the globe.
Constanze has given solo performances around the globe, including organ concerts in Europe, the United States and South America. She performed as a soloist in the Graz Cathedral in 2015 and 2016 and at the “Grazer Orgelfrühling” 2016 in the Herz Jesu-Kirche in Graz. In June 2017 she gave a recital in the parish church of St. Xaver in Leoben and concerts with the brass ensemble of the University of Music and Performing Arts. In 2017, Constanze began collaborating with trombonist Peter Steiner and formed the Duo Steiner-Hochwartner. For their debut 2017/2018 season the Duo maintained an ambitious international performance schedule, including an 8-week USA tour (40 concerts), a concert at the Wartburg Festival (Eisenach,Germany), and a series of concerts in Europe (Austria, Italy, and Switzerland).
About Frühling Posaunen
The Frühling Posaunen (Spring Trombones) Festival is an annual event in its 31st year. It was started in Spring 1989 by Dr. John Marcellus of the Eastman School of Music, Dr. Harold Reynolds of Ithaca College, and Penn State’s Mark L. Lusk. The idea was to get the trombone students from three different academic institutions together annually on Palm Sunday (the Sunday before Easter) to share their music and ideas. The event over the years has featured a diverse array of guest artists, and guest ensembles from many other fine schools of music. Over the years thousands of trombonists and guests have enjoyed the variety of music presented at the main concerts, and especially the grand finale which often combines all the participants.
Schedule of Events
11:30: Groups arrive State College, settle in individual rooms:
University of Delaware in Room 117 Music Building I
West Virginia University in Room 115 Music Building I
Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Room 100 Music Building12:00 - 12:30: Welcome, and Grand Finale Rehearsal (Biebl Ave Maria)
in Recital Hall15-minute Intermission (water, juice, and snack-bars provided)
12:45 - 2:15: Michael Davis and Bill Reichenbach Recital/”Recording Session” with the All-Star Collegiate Trombone Quartet
in Esber Rehearsal hall
featuring Marko Marcinko, drums, Alexander McLaughlin, bass,
and Daniel Spearman, piano15-minute Intermission (water, juice, fruit, and snack-bars provided)
2:30 - 3:30: Duo Steiner-Hochwartner Recital/Discussion with Professor Lusk
in Recital Hall30-minute Intermission (water, juice, fruit, and snack-bars provided)
4:00 - 5:30: 31st Frühling Posaunen Concert (featuring, Peter Steiner and Constanze Hochwartner, Michael Davis, and Bill Reichenbach, (Recital Hall)
Program
University of Delaware Trombone Choir
Dr. Bruce Tychinski, DirectorApogee Fanfare by Chris Sharpe
The Vagabond by Ralph Vaughan Williams/Arr. Bruce Tychinski
Yellowstone by Ryan Meredith
Trombones in the Belfry by Anthony O’Toole
Tenor Trombonists
Matt Darr
Caitlyn Edgar
Tommy Harris
Joe LeBert
Pam Letts
Hunter Maddock
Marshall Marsh
Kathy McAuliffe
Ryan Merideth
Konner Metz
James Mitchell
Katie Snyder
Mary Margaret Wilson
Daniel XuBass Trombonists
Clayton Dungey
Simeon Jooste
Matt LibbyIndiana University of Pennsylvania Trombone Choir
Kevin M McManus, DirectorFanfare for Paratroopers by Paul Creston/Arr. Kevin M. McManus
Flourish for Trombones by Vaughan Williams/Arr. Kevin M. McManus
Sing Me To Heaven by Daniel Gawthrop/Arr. Kevin M. McManus
The Great Locomotive Chase by Robert W. Smith/Arr. Kevin M. McManus
Tenor Trombonists
Connor Antonio
David Earnest
Baylee Frampton
Vicky Giuliano
Mihkayla Perkins
Abigail Strittmatter
Jaden TornatoreBass Trombonists
Eamonn Blaney
Sam ShelenbergerAlumni Guest Musician
Dennis Cramer, ’75 & ’83
West Virginia University Trombone Ensemble
Hakeem Bilal, DirectorInveni David by Anton Bruckner/Arr. Douglas Yeo
Now is the Month of Maying/My Bonnie Lass by Thomas Morley/Arr. Richard Myers
Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber/Arr. Charles De Paolo
Tenor Trombonists
Jakob Baker
Alaina Brewster
Timothy Friedhaber
Drew Herter
Hunter Karpulk
Ian McIntyre
Logan Skidmore
Ethan Spencer
Brenna PattersonBass Trombonists
Ryan Hogue
Brendan Loeb
Olivia Nixon
Andrew Ortega
Ariel Roxby
The Penn State Trombone Choir
Mark L. Lusk, DirectorHonor from “The Pacific” by Hans Zimmer/Arr. Wesley Thompson
Prayer of the Children by Kurt Bestor/Arr. Scott Slutter
featuring our special guest artists
Constanze Hortwartner, Michael Davis, Peter Steiner and Bill ReichenbachBig Pig by Michael Davis
featuring Michael Davis, Bill Reichenbach along with Marko Marcinko
Tenor Trombonists
Shannon Anderson
Alexandra Biancoviso
Ian Bruce
Michael Buchta
Nathan Carr
Aditya Chakrabarti
Colton Dietz
Isaiah Ebersole
Jacob Green
Spencer Jarrett
Brian Johnson
Jeremiah Rodgers
Catherine Seamon
Brody Segan
Betsy Shields
Ryan Shuey
Sam Wetzel
David Wilson
Andrew ZallBass Trombonists
Britney Bidding
Colson Board
Alora Howard
Michael Thomas
Grand Finale with all festival participants; Ave Maria by Franz Biebl/Arr. Mark ManducaChant soloists: Professor Bilal, Professor McManus and Professor Tychinski
University of Delaware Trombone Choir
The UD Trombone Studio includes students from more than 6 states studying Music Education, Composition, and Trombone Performance at the undergraduate and master's levels. Trombone students perform in symphony orchestra, opera and pit orchestras, wind ensemble, symphonic band, jazz ensemble, jazz combos, collegium musicum on sackbut, brass quintets, and marching band. In addition, within the trombone studio there is the Trombone Choir, UD Slides Jazz Trombone Ensemble, and several chamber ensembles.
The UD Trombone Choir performed at the 2014 International Trombone Festival at the Eastman School of Music and at the 2017 American Trombone Workshop. Students have been selected for many prestigious summer festivals and honors ensembles including the Southeast Trombone Symposium, Marrowstone Festival, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Atlantic Brass Seminar, and many others. Recent studio alums have gone on to successful performing endeavors in the US and abroad, teaching positions, or received graduate assistantships to further their studies.
Dr. Bruce Tychinski
Bruce Tychinski is Professor of Trombone at the University of Delaware where he teaches applied lessons, directs the trombone choir and UD Slides jazz trombone ensemble and hosts an annual Trombone Day event. Dr. Tychinski is a member of the Washington Trombone Ensemble and the Nittany Trombone Quartet, and is principal trombonist of the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra and second trombonist of the Lancaster Symphony. He is also co-founder of the First State Middle School Trombone Choir, an ensemble comprised of middle school trombonists from northeastern Delaware.
Indiana University of Pennsylvania Trombone Choir
The IUP Trombone Choir was formed by Richard Thorell in 1967. Thorell earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees at the Eastman School of Music, studied with Emory Remington, and performed in the Eastman Trombone Choir. He led the IUP Choir for 18 years. Part of his duties as trombone instructor involved a studio trombone ensemble, which performed regularly on campus, occasionally at state conferences, and most importantly in public schools throughout Pennsylvania as part of the department’s student recruitment effort. Thorell retired in 2004 and was honored Professor Emeritus status.
Dr. Christian Dickinson came to IUP in 1985. He earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees at Florida State University, studying with William Cramer. He earned his DMA from Catholic University where he studied with Milt Stevens. The choir grew to 25 members by the early 21st Century and many former members have gone on to successful careers in teaching, performing, and business. The choir continued occasion performances at PMEA state conferences and in 1997, they performed at the US Army Band Eastern Trombone Workshop at Fort Myer, Virginia. Recruitment performances continued to be an important part of the mission of the group as well as student-led performances of original works. Dickinson retired in 2021.
In 2002, the Armstrong Concert Band Scholarship for Trombone was established with a $35,000 gift. Over the past 20 years, the fund has grown and continues to support trombone majors. In 2021, the Christian Dickinson Fund for Trombone was established with donations from alumni totaling $25,000. Those funds have purchased 6 new instruments and other equipment for use by current students.
Kevin M. McManus came to IUP in the Fall of 2021 as an adjunct professor. He earned his undergraduate degree from Penn State University, a Graduate Performer’s Certificate from SUNY Purchase, and a master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University. His primary teachers were Mark L. Lusk, Jim Pugh, Matty Shiner, Dick Nash, and Peter Sullivan. Under his leadership, the choir has performed on campus and for local high school students. They will participate in a trombone festival at Penn State University in April.
Kevin M. McManus
Kevin M. McManus holds a bachelor of science degree in music education from Penn State University, a graduate performer’s certificate from SUNY Purchase Conservatory, and a master's degree from Carnegie Mellon University. McManus has performed on Broadway in New York City and completed two first national tours of the shows Urinetown: the Musical and Little Women the Broadway Musical. In the summer of 2009, McManus was a featured soloist in Pittsburgh’s Civic Light Opera production of Swing! Kevin was also featured alongside Dick Nash, Bill Watrous, Bill Tole, George Roberts, and Harry Betts at the 2009 NAMM show in Anaheim, California. McManus is the founder and leader of the Bone Forum, a jazz 10-trombone ensemble with rhythm section; the Kevin M. McManus Jazz Octet, a swingin’ eight-piece jazz ensemble; and the Pittsburgh Trombone Project, one of America’s premier chamber music ensembles. McManus is an artist for Edwards Musical Instruments.
West Virginia University Trombone Ensemble
The West Virginia University Trombone Ensemble is comprised of the graduate and undergraduate members of the WVU Trombone Studio. Under the direction of Professor Hakeem Bilal, the Trombone Ensemble performs regularly on campus and has been featured at Cleveland State University and The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. The group may be heard live on YouTube and has an upcoming performance on April 14th in Morgantown, WV.
Hakeem Bilal
Mr. Bilal is the Assistant Professor of Trombone at West Virginia University and remains in high demand as an orchestral player and soloist. He is a regular extra with the Cleveland Orchestra and the Pittsburgh Symphony; he has recently performed with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, the Atlanta Symphony, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and West Virginia Symphony. He also serves as the Bass Trombonist of C Street Brass, a member of River City Brass, and the MC of Beauty Slap. Mr. Bilal was featured as a guest artist at the 2016 Trombone Summit in Fort Worth, Texas and was invited to perform at the 2018 International Trombone Festival in Iowa.
Penn State Trombone Choir
The Penn State Trombone Choir, initiated by current trombone professor Mark Lusk, consists of 15-20 music education majors, trombone performance majors, as well as performance minors during any given year. The Choir has performed at the Pennsylvania Music Educator's Conference, the Eastern Trombone Workshop, the New York Brass Conference, the All-Eastern Music Educator's Conference, and at the annual Frühling Posaunen Festival of which the trombone choir is a founding member along with the trombone choirs from the Eastman School of Music and Ithaca College. The Penn State Trombone Studio has gained a reputation for its positive atmosphere and its success at helping develop versatile young players who put the music first.
Mark L. Lusk
Mark Lancaster Lusk, Professor of Trombone, joined the Penn State music faculty in 1986. Prior to his appointment, he enjoyed a varied career with such diverse groups as the Woody Herman Band, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Eastman Wind Ensemble, and the Chicago Contemporary Chamber Players. He continues to have an active playing career as a soloist, clinician, and freelance musician. Lusk has toured the world as an active member of the Woody Herman Alumni Band. He has also performed on Broadway. Lusk’s performing and teaching has taken him to South America, including Chile, Argentina, and Cuba. He holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from The Eastman School of Music and a performance certificate from Northwestern University. Lusk is an artist/clinician for S.E. Shires Trombones, and is published by Lyceum Press.
Esber and The New Recital Hall
