The DePaul trombone studio offers students a learning environment that is small enough for individual attention, yet large enough to create an active group dynamic. Students learn from the world-class faculty in individual lessons as well as through studio classes. The trombone studio gives group, as well as individual and often conducts mock auditions to prepare students for the future.
Faculty
DePaul Trombone Studio
DePaul trombone faculty members Mark Fisher and Charles Vernon welcome you to the trombone studio page. Our mission in the DePaul trombone studio is to maintain a collegial, professional, challenging, demanding, organized and honest environment of very high standards, designed to enhance the development of each individual student.
Lessons
Trombone students register for and receive an equal number of lessons with Mr. Fisher and Mr. Vernon each quarter. Lessons focus on fundamentals of sound development, breathing and technique, as well as solo and orchestral playing and doubling. Our studio progress and success has thrived as a result of this consistent team teaching system.
Doubling
Each member of the trombone studio is expected to develop secondary instrument or doubling skills, including alto trombone, euphonium, contrabass trombone and bass trumpet.
Weekly studio class and DePaul Trombone Choir
Each Sunday evening, the studio meets with Mark Fisher for trombone studio class and trombone choir rehearsal. This is a great opportunity for the studio to discuss weekly studio logistics, news in the trombone world and to maintain a high level of support and feedback. Topics often covered in studio class include: solo and excerpt playing, performance focus techniques, career building and professional networking. Students perform solo repertoire in preparation for solo recitals and various solo competitions. Mock auditions are often a focus in studio class, preparing the students for professional and summer festival auditions. One hour of time is designated to trombone choir rehearsal. Additional time is often reserved for quartet or orchestral section coaching.
Alumni Accomplishments
Mark Fisher's students have won positions in the following orchestras:
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Boston Ballet Orchestra
Boston Lyric Opera
Charlotte Symphony Orchestra
Charleston Symphony
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Colorado Springs Symphony
Des Moines Symphony Orchestra
Dubuque Symphony
Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra
Green Bay Symphony
Honolulu Symphony
Houston Grand Opera Orchestra
Illinois Philharmonic
Kalamazoo Symphony
Kansas City Symphony
Kenosha Symphony
Madison Symphony
Memphis Symphony
Milwaukee Ballet
Orchestra Iowa
New Philharmonic Orchestra
Northbrook Symphony
Northwest Indiana Symphony
Peoria Symphony
Quad City Symphony
Skokie Valley Symphony
Spokane Symphony Orchestra
Thunder Bay Symphony
United States Navy Band
United States Navy Fleet Band
Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony
Winnipeg Symphony
Zurich Opera Orchestra
Mark Fisher's students have held administrative or faculty teaching positions with the following institutions:
Alabama Symphony, Executive Director
Cincinnati Symphony, President
College of DuPage
Columbus Symphony, Director of Artistic Planning
Concordia University
Elgin Community College
Elgin Symphony, Director of Operations
Elmhurst College
Florida Philharmonic, President
Green Bay Symphony, Executive Director
Grinnell College
Harper College
Indianapolis Symphony, Associate Director or Marketing
Lakehead University
Marrowstone Music Festival
McGill University
University of Manitoba
North Central College
St. Xavier University
Syracuse Symphony, President
Syracuse Symphony, Director of Development
Wheaton College
University of Wisconsin at Whitewater
Mark Fisher's students have been selected to participate in the following summer festivals:
Alessi Seminar
Aspen Music Festival
Bar Harbor Brass Institute
Brevard Music Festival
Marrowstone Music Festival
Menlo Institute
Music Academy of the West
National Repertory Orchestra
National Orchestral Institute
Tanglewood Music Festival
Mark Fisher's students have been winners of the following competitions and awards:
Eastern Trombone Workshop National Solo Competition
Eastern Trombone Workshop Quartet Competition
Fulbright Award for study in Berlin
Fulbright Award for study in the Netherlands
International Trombone Association Alto Trombone Competition
International Trombone Association Kleinhammer Competition
International Trombone Association Marsteller Competition
International Trombone Association Larry Wiehe Competition
International Trombone Association Yaxley Competition