8th Position

For our Season 2 midseason finale, we come to you with an interview with Dr. Michael Wilkinson, Assistant Professor of trombone at the University of South Carolina. Dr. Wilkinson has extensive performance and teaching experience in both classical and jazz, throughout many different age groups and many different instruments. Exemplifying versatility at its finest, he is an outstanding player and educator that has some funny stories and down-to-earth advice to share.

For this interview, he walks us through his early life and how he got into so many scenes, his experience and thought process behind his 2016 solo album, and some interesting accounts of his weirdest freelance gigs.

--

Transition music: Can I?, Michael Wilkinson

Intro/Outro music: I Will Go Sailing No More, Randy Newman, Lawson Gardner

Instagram: @8thposition @dabaldwin903 @lawson.gardner2

This week we interview Dr. Megan Boutin, visiting professor at Murray State University, experienced freelance trombonist and prominent private lesson teacher in the greater Austin area. Dr. Boutin is a phenomenal pedagogue and wonderful human being, acting as a great role model for many young players through her mannerisms and musicianship alike. Also a leading figure in the ITA's initiative for female representation, she was heavily involved in the International Women's Trombone Choir and associated mentorship program in 2021. In yet another attempt at giving voice to an underrepresented musician and facilitating an opportunity to share their stories, we hope you enjoy this interview with such a fun and genuine person. 

We spoke with her at length about her time earning all three of her degrees and grappling with burnout while attempting to kick off a career in performance, along with her perspective on evolving gender relations in classical music and reasons why her cat is secretly a dog. 

--

Transition music: A Caged Bird, Barbara York, Megan Boutin

Intro/Outro music: I Will Go Sailing No More, Randy Newman, Lawson Gardner

Instagram: @8thposition @dabaldwin903 @lawson.gardner2

For this week’s interview, we talk with Mr. Brian Wendel, principal trombone of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia. He is one of the newest voices on the classical music scene, but has wasted no time in demonstrating that he’s a force to be reckoned with. Due to his pedagogical maturity and outstanding command over the instrument, Brian is an inspirational figure for many young trombonists hoping to launch an orchestral career. His enthusiasm for teaching motivated students and an active presence on social media have proven to be invaluable assets in passing on his knowledge, and we enjoyed hearing his unique perspectives on facilitating personal growth and beginning a career in music.

In this talk, we hear about Brian’s time studying with Norman Bolter and Joe Alessi in his early years, his experience taking auditions and what it felt like to finally achieve his dream of winning an orchestra position, and detailed specifics on how students should be approaching their practice.

--

Transition music: Romeo and Juliet, Op. 64: VI. Dance of the Knights, Sergei Prokofiev, Brian Wendel & Carter Johnson

Intro/Outro music: I Will Go Sailing No More, Randy Newman, Lawson Gardner

Instagram: @8thposition @dabaldwin903 @lawson.gardner2

Coming to you this week with an insightful interview with Ms. Natalie Cressman, top call multi-genre trombonist and singer-songwriter in NYC and the Bay Area, touring trombonist for Trey Anastasio, and leader of six studio albums. Ms. Cressman has deep roots in the jazz community in San Fransisco but was able to quickly establish herself as a versatile and employable trombonist in New York. Drawing influence from many different cultures and traditions to craft her own musical voice, Natalie is one of the finest musicians on the scene.

In this interview, we explore the breadth and effects of the brutal misogyny and prejudice that many young women are forced to grapple with when starting their careers, and the best ways to use your influence to make a difference and promote diversity. We also discussed the creation of her upcoming album, some fun and interesting stories from touring and freelancing, and how to take the word “should” out of your vocabulary when studying music.

--

Transition music: Already There, Natalie Cressman & Ian Faquini

Intro/Outro music: I Will Go Sailing No More, Randy Newman, Lawson Gardner

Instagram: @8thposition @dabaldwin903 @lawson.gardner2

For this episode we interview Mr. Christopher Bassett, principal bass trombone of Jacksonville Symphony and Sante Fe Opera Orchestra. Winning two jobs right out of college, Chris is quickly establishing himself as a rising star in the trombone world and has a unique approach to pedagogy that sets him apart from the competition. He is a winner of several international competitions through various organizations, including the ITA Kleinhammer Orchestral Bass Trombone Competition, and a substitute with the Cleveland and Boston symphonies on several occasions.

In this interview, he walks us through his philosophy on sustaining productivity and discipline, and how it relates to human psychology. We also discuss his involvement with the Santa Fe Trombone Summit and his brand new seminar First Position, and how essential it is to your craft to go out and experience different cultures.

--

Transition music: Sagittarius2 for Bass Trombone and Piano, Norman Bolter, Christopher Bassett

Intro/Outro music: I Will Go Sailing No More, Randy Newman, Lawson Gardner

Instagram: @8thposition @dabaldwin903 @lawson.gardner2

Piloting our second season with an incredible interview with Mr. Nathan Zgonc, utility trombone and acting principal of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. After winning this job in 2011, Zgonc quickly made a name for himself as one of the single greatest players and pedagogues currently on the scene. As the quintessential orchestral player and a unique solo voice, he sets an excellent example for young players around the world and continues to reach new horizons every day.

In this interview, we spoke with him about his highly effective audition preparation process, his philosophy on staying in shape and handling extended breaks, and his new mouthpiece line about to hit markets. We hope you enjoy this lighthearted episode to kick off the brand new season!

--

Transition music: Mahler 3 opening solo, Jay Friedman, Nathan Zgonc & STS Professor's Choir

Intro/Outro music: I Will Go Sailing No More, Randy Newman, Lawson Gardner

Instagram: @8thposition @dabaldwin903 @lawson.gardner2

A quick behind-the-scenes look at the recording process with Sarah, in which we couldn't stop laughing when we tried to record the outro. This is a little more indicative of how the interview actually went... 

A behind-the-scenes glimpse at one of the MANY technical issues we faced while recording for the series. Fortunately for us, it happened with someone as patient as Dr. Whitfield! (But you can tell Lawson was pretty frustrated regardless...)

For our Season 1 finale, we interview Mr. Brian Hecht! As the (former) bass trombonist of the Atlanta Symphony, brand new utility trombonist for the Dallas Symphony, and a world-renown soloist, he had some excellent insight and advice to share with us about how to know when it's time to take your career in a new direction. We also had some more lighthearted conversations about his non-music hobbies, and talked about his nearly-one-year-old teaching service Slide School. We hope you enjoy this final interview of the season!

Fun fact: friend of the podcast Evan Williams was also featured in the transition music for this episode! Worlds collide!

--

Transition music: Concert Allegro, Alexei Lebedev, Brian Hecht & UT Trombone Choir 2016

Intro/Outro music: I Will Go Sailing No More, Randy Newman, Lawson Gardner

Instagram: @8thposition @dabaldwin903 @lawson.does.trombone

This week on the podcast we interview Jonathan Tang, founder of the Cincinnati Brass Academy and recent graduate of the College-Conservatory of music. As another particularly young guest, he walked us through his still-occurring origin story, as we discussed his time in school thus far. We also heard some of his pedagogical hot takes from the perspective of a student and a teacher, and talked about the importance of non-music hobbies and inspirations. As our season begins to wrap up, we hope you enjoy this second-to-last episode!

--

Intro/Outro music: I Will Go Sailing No More, Randy Newman, Lawson Gardner

Instagram: @8thposition @dbaldwin903 @lawson.does.trombone