While the weather in early March may not have held true to the proverb, trombonists from the OSU Department of Music certainly came in to the month like a lion, with multiple students earning hardware at recent competitions.

Freshman Noah Roper of Aledo, Texas, took first at the 2017 National Bass Trombone Solo Competition’s 18 and under division, held March 8 during the American Trombone Workshop, hosted by the U.S. Army Band in Fort Myer, Va. Roper also earned the bass trombone seat with the National Symphony Orchestra’s Summer Music Institute, a full-scholarship summer music program allowing students to study with NSO members.

Two students, sophomore Nicholas Losos of Aledo, Texas, and senior John Parker of Duncanville, Texas; swept the awards at the Robert Heckman Instrumental Solo Competition on March 4, hosted by Chamber Music Tulsa. This marks the sixth consecutive year OSU trombonists have swept the contest.

Parker, Losos, and Tate were also all selected for the 2017 Eastern Music Festival, beginning in late June on the campus of Guilford College in Greensboro, N.C.. Tate and Roper also took first place competition finishes home from the 2017 Music Teachers National Association Solo Competition held March 18-21 in Baltimore, Md.

On March 12, members of the OSU Trombone Studio took the top four places at the 2017 Ladies Music Club of Oklahoma City Brass Solo Competition. Roper places fourth, junior Jacob Eyler of Saginaw, Texas placed third, junior Paul Bussert of Bixby placed second, and sophomore Kyle Hunt of Wylie, Texas placed first.

Finally, senior Dorien Tate of Garland, Texas, took home first at the 2017 Texas State Trombone Symposium’s Bass Trombone Solo Competition on Feb. 19. Additionally, Dorien earned a full summer scholarship with the bass trombone position at the National Music Festival, June 4 through 17, at Washington College in Chesterfield, Md.