In addition to weekly private lessons, there is a weekly master class in which students perform for each other, a topic is discussed or a guest artist is engaged. Additionally there are various chamber ensembles (trombone quartet, etc) that meet on a weekly basis. Students can also elect to participate in a weekly orchestral excerpt session. Solo performance opportunities are available in the weekly master classes as well as the Thursday afternoon Student Concert Music series. There is also a recital each semester in Keller Hall that features studio soloists and ensembles.
Aside from the various chamber ensembles students may elect to participate in the UNM Jazz Band, Orchestra, Contemporary Ensemble or Wind Symphony. The Wind Symphony has recorded two CDs featuring NY Philharmonic principal trombonist Joe Alessi. One of the finest ensembles of its kind, the UNM Wind Symphony is very active in the commissioning and performance of new music.
Of interest to low brass players, here is a sampling of works the UNM Orchestra has performed:
• Wagner, Overture to Meistersinger
• Wagner, Prelude to Act III of Lohengrin
• Rossini, Overture to William Tell ; Overture to La Gazza Ladra
• Verdi, Overture to Nabucco , Sicilian Vespers
• Brahms, Sym. No. 1, 2
• Rimsky-Korsakov, Russian Easter Overture
• Kodály, Háry János Suite
• Ravel, Bolero
• Revueltas, Sensemaya ; Hommage to Garcia Lorca
• Shostakovich, Sym. #5, #9
• Respighi, Pines of Rome
• Beethoven, Sym. #5, #9
• Dvorak, Sym. #9
• Franck, Sym. in d
• Schubert, Sym. #8
• Tchaikovsky, Sym. #2, #4, #5
In the past low brass students have also been able to sub with various local professional ensembles such as the New Mexico Symphony, Santa Fe Symphony and Opera Southwest. A number of students also teach privately and do sectionals and guest clinics for high schools and middle schools in the Albuquerque area.
