The University of Florida International Brass Festival and Conference 2019
The UF International Brass Festival and Conference 2019 took place on February 8 to 10, 2019.
Highlights of the event included the Faculty Brass Ensemble, led by Professor Jay Watkins (ensemble pictured) in epic works by Henri Tomasi, Bruce Broughton, and Giovanni Gabrieli. The ensemble included faculty/artist guests from the University of the Arts (Ecuador), University of Virginia, Georgia State University, Western Carolina University, University of Central Florida, State College of Florida and the SW Florida Symphony, among others.
Other highlights included trumpet Professor Randy Lee appearing as a soloist with the Brass Band of Central Florida; the Collegiate Brass Ensemble performance led by our own graduate conducting student, Marguerite Krietsek; and the UF High School Brass Participant Ensemble and Masterclasses led by Robin Sisk, Jemmie Robertson and Randy Lee.
UFIBFC plans to return in 2020 with tentative dates of February 7 to 9, 2020. UFIBFC 2019 was generously supported by funding from the UF Office of Research and the UF School of Music.
Jemmie Robertson January 2019 Recital Tour to OK, TX and NM
Jemmie Robertson traveled to Oklahoma, Texas and New Meco throughout the month of January performing recitals, teaching masterclasses and guest directing ensembles. These venues included Oklahoma City University, The University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State University, Southwest Oklahoma State University, West Texas A&M University, Eastern New Mexico University and Texas Tech University for the Big Twelve Trombone Workshop.
Recitals featured repertoire by Saskia Apon, Lars-Erik Larsson, Claude Debussy, W.A. Mozart and Lawrence Borden.
Jacob Hardy, Graduate Trombone Student, Honored in International Competition
Trombonist Jacob Hardy recently received an Honorable Mention in the 2019 International Trombone Festival Donald Yaxley Bass Trombone Competition. The competition was open to bass trombonists from around the world who are under 25 years of age. Other honorees were from The Conservatorium van Amsterdam, The University of Utah, Liszt Academy of Music, Budapest, Codarts Rotterdam and the Conservatoire Royal de Liège. Judges were from Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra/University of Texas at Arlington, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and The American Brass Quintet.
