Louisiana Trombone Collective

The Louisiana Trombone Collective enters into the following programs with the knowledge that allowing students to learn and hone their craft while in school, rather than working full time jobs while in school, will allow them to be successful over the span of a career. The Louisiana Trombone Collective also supports the work of students enrolled in UL Lafayette Chamber Music courses, providing a small scholarship.

 

Additionally, the Louisiana Trombone Collective supports the artistic and educational work of Benjamin Yates locally, nationally, and internationally. This work includes supporting touring ensembles dedicated to the commissioning and performance of new music, plus international travel and teaching in the Dominican Republic. The Collective will support the work of the International Music Education Project in instrument and financial donations; support the needs of the UL Lafayette trombone and low brass studios by financially helping programs including Louisiana Trombones, Octubafest, Community Trombone Choir, Community TubaEuph Ensemble, and others; and support the Acadiana Community Low Brass Institute, an organization dedicated to educating low brass students at the elementary and secondary levels in the Acadiana Region. 

 

UL Lafayette Trombone Studio Impact

Student Instrument Loan Program

The student instrument loan program loans out enough money for a trombonist and euphonium or tuba players to purchase a professional quality used or new instrument each year, The students will pay back the instrument loan over the number of years they have left in a music degree program at UL Lafayette at no interest. 

How it works:

1. Student have the opportunity to apply for the program, through an application form: 
   1. Students must be current UL Lafayette students
   2. Students must be music majors
   3. Priority is given to music education and music performance majors
   4. Students must have more than two years left in the degree program to pay back the loan
   5. Students must provide information about their plan to pay the loan back
   6. Students pay the loan back on a monthly basis, meeting a minimum amount.
   7. Students may add the loan program amount to their own savings to purchase the instrument that meets their needs
2. Students who are accepted into the program receive a single check from the Louisiana Trombone Collective for the appropriate amount of money for the instrument:
   1. Trombone: $3,000
   2. Euphonium: $4,000
   3. Tuba: 5,000
3. Students enter into a written contract with Louisiana Trombone Collective to pay the loan back over the time of their degree plan at UL Lafayette. 
4. Students must complete paying off the loan program in the same month they graduate from UL Lafayette.

 

Student Chamber Music Scholarship

Low Brass students in UL Lafayette AMUS 250 Chamber Music have the opportunity to apply for a small chamber music scholarship through LTC. The scholarship can  help defray the additional cost and fees associated with taking the chamber music class and encourage students to practice their chamber music, rather than working part time jobs.

How it works:

1. Students have the opportunity to apply for the scholarship through an application form: 

1. Students must be current UL Lafayette students
2. Students must be music majors
3. Priority is given to music education and music performance majors
4. Students must be enrolled in AMUS 250 Chamber Music

1. Students who are accepted into the program receive a single check from the Louisiana Trombone Collective for the scholarship amount:
   1. Suggested amount
      1. Depends on fees and cost to students. I think this is $250 a semester right now.
      2. Should be a little more, maybe $400

 

Support of UL Lafayette studio activities

Limited support of UL Lafayette trombone studio activities. The intention is to continue working with the university to fully support these items, which are part of an operating studio and should be primarily university funded.

 

Continued use of student organizations to help with trombone studio funding. These activities and events where started by Benjamin Yates after joining the faculty of UL Lafayette to support the education of School of Music students, aid recruitment efforts for new students, and building national recognition of the education students receive at UL Lafayette. The events started with Brass day in 2017 and have expanded to individual instrument days to feature guest artists, local clinicians, and the studio performers. 

 

Organizations that could be funded or supported by LTC:

• Louisiana Trombones (Since 2019)

Louisiana Trombones is an annual event designed for trombone enthusiasts of all ages and experience levels. Participants are invited to engage in a day dedicated to performance, listening, and education centered around the trombone.

Attendees have the opportunity to participate in a trombone choir, collaborate with guest conductors, and attend guest artist recitals and masterclasses. The day culminates in a participant trombone choir performance.

LTC will be concerned with the funding of guest artists, finding sponsors for the event, and working with area music shops to sell goods at the event. 

https://www.benjaminyatestrombone.com/louisianatrombones/

• OctubaFest (Since 2020)

OctubaFest is the annual event featuring the UL Lafayette tuba and euphonium studio. The event brings in guest artists and performers from the region. LTC is primarily concerned with funding guest artists.

• Guest artists (Since 2017)

General guest artist interactions with the UL Lafayette low brass studio. Funding, housing, additional pay as needed. Possible student lesson scholarships?

• Community Trombone Choir (Since 2021)

Support for the UL Lafayette Community Trombone Choir. Payment of a stipend to the conductor, payment for student compositions, maybe a small scholarship for student staff to run the rehearsals, set up/tear down, manage the physical space. 

• Community TubaEuph Ensemble (Since 2021)

Support of the UL Lafayette Community TubaEuph Ensemble, currently run by an adjunct professor for no pay. Payment of a stipend to the conductor, payment for student compositions, maybe a small scholarship for student staff to run the rehearsals, set up/tear down, manage the physical space. 

 

Regional Impact

 

Acadiana Community Low Brass Institute

A new idea, based on similar models in the area. This would be to continue building improvement of low brass players in the region who have taken lessons and are prepared for college music education practices. Currently Benjamin Yates teaches 6-10 students/week. This institute would educate and prepare ULL music education students so they can teach high quality lessons to these and other area students, gaining critical teaching experience, making money in the field, and providing the needed information in the area.

 

Students at the institute would continue to pay for lessons, but the LTC would provide a safe public space for lessons to be held, provide the physical materials needed (music stands, pianos, music, instruments, mouthpiece, etc.), and support with accompanists paid through the LTC. 

 

Students in the institute would have the opportunity for lessons, studio classes, repair classes, and participating in community chamber ensembles. 

 

Global Impact

Dominican Republic Trombone Support

Supporting work in the Dominican Republic, particularly opportunities to perform, teach, and recruit performers to the United States. 

• Continued work with Trombodomi: Dominican Trombone Association. Providing free clinics, masterclasses, and performances to trombonists of all ages and abilities at the National Conservatory, Santo Domingo.
• Adding teaching and performing trips to ongoing trips to the D.R. Finding ways to support the high level of community and teaching already happening in the D.R. and moving that forward with ideas from the United States. 

 

International Music Education Project (IMEP)

The IMEP supports the donation of instruments to after school music programs in the Dominican Republic. The IMEP additionally provides lubricants, instrument repairs, sheet music, and musical supplies to after school programs that provide music education to students (music education is not part of the school programs). 

 

The Louisiana Trombone Collective can specifically aid the International Music Education Project with donations of trombones, trombone equipment, and trombone sheet music to the program. Additionally, the LTC can aid with financial support and logistical support in getting instruments to the country. 

 

Musical and Artistry Impact 

Financial support of trombonist Benjamin Yates

Supporting the ongoing new music commissions, performances, tours, and recordings of Benjamin Yates. Projects include:

• Tromborgan: Trombone and Organ duo that includes Brad Schultz, commissioning and performing new music for the duo. 
• Harp and Trombone: Duo that includes Amy Nam, Minneapolis based harpist and composer.
• Oak Trio: Trio including Richard Tirk, trumpet, and Suzanne Tirk, clarinet. Commissioning and performing new works for the trio/chamber music performances. Interest in education through the U.S.
• Other new music commissions: including trombone and percussion, brass quintet, and other projects Benjamin Yates is involved in.