University of Louisiana, Lafayette

When students choose the University of Louisiana, Lafayette Trombone and Low Brass Studio, they gain experience through the undergraduate music degree that is the best of both a conservatory program and a large university environment. In the ULL Trombone and Low Brass Studio, students grow as musicians and as people. Students develop musicianship, technique, performance skills, and education pedagogy. All of this and more is in addition to the high-quality education the university provides as a whole.

Trombone_interlocking_over dark colors

All trombone, euphonium, and tuba majors perform in the UL Lafayette Low Brass Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Benjamin Yates. The ensemble performs a wide variety of classical and jazz music in many settings across campus and the greater Lafayette community. The ensemble meets on Friday mornings for rehearsals and studio class. At various points in the semester the ensemble meets during week day evenings in rehearsals open to UL Lafayette non-major, high school student, and community member low brass players interested in performing on a community concert. If you are interested in performing with the ensemble, please contact Dr. Yates.

The Low Brass Ensemble also regularly breaks into smaller ensembles, including trombone choir, trombone quartet, and tubaeuph ensemble. The ensembles perform for university events, at local schools, and for community events, including the Lafayette Showcase of Bands, OctoTuba, and TubaChristmas events. The Low Brass Ensemble provides the trombone and low brass studio at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with an opportunity to learn chamber music skills, perform in front of studio and School of Music and Performing Arts colleagues, and interact with the greater Lafayette community.

 

IMG_9137
Unknown
Studio Photo 2022

Trombone and Low Brass Studio Audition Requirements

Major scales and chromatic scale in the full range of the instrument

Sixteenth notes, quarter note = 72 bpm
LMEA scale sheets acceptable
Memorized major scales preferred

Two contrasting solo selections

1 lyrical solo/ 1 technical solo
Solo literature preferred, no piano accompaniment required
*Contrasting etudes will be accepted
LMEA etudes accepted

Sight Reading

Sight reading will come from level II and III etude books appropriate to the instrument

Concert instruments required for auditions (no marching instruments)

Large-bore trombones preferred
Large-bore independent bass trombones preferred
Four-valve euphoniums preferred (baritones accepted)
Four-valve tubas preferred

Euphonium players

Please have audition prepared in bass clef. Students reading in B-flat treble clef will be assigned remedial level work until clef reading is proficient.

Contact Dr. Benjamin Yates at benjamin.yates@louisiana.edu or here with questions about trombone and low brass auditions.

View the File
Recommended Collegiate Music Audition Procedures Trombone, Euphonium, and Tuba

View the File
Selected Literature for Tuba: High School and Collegiate Auditions, Level III-IV

Sample Lessons

Sample lessons are available for any high school student seriously interesting in studying trombone, euphonium, or tuba at the University of Louisiana, Lafayette. Interested students should contact Dr. Yates to set up a lesson time. For students not in the Lafayette area, sample Skype and FaceTime lessons are also available.

Please use the following documents as guidelines for starting the audition process with Dr. Yates at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Music educators who are interested in setting up free low brass master classes, performances, or clinics can contact Dr. Yates for available dates.