Session Proposals

Justin Cook is the Assistant Professor of Trombone at the University of Oklahoma. Prior to OU, Dr. Cook was the Associate Professor of Trombone at the University of Central Arkansas where he taught studio trombone, trombone choir, and directed the Jazz Repertory Ensemble. Justin is an internationally sought performer and educator. He has performed in China, Chile, and all across the United States; including the 2021, 2022, and 2024 International Trombone Festivals. He released his first solo album in 2019 entitled “Connections.” As a freelancer, Justin has performed with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, the Lawton Symphony, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Ft. Smith Symphony Orchestra, the Symphony Orchestra of Northwest Arkansas, the Tulsa Symphony, as well as the National Tours of Wicked, The Book of Morman, Mary Poppins, and Back to the Future. Cook has given presentations at the Arkansas Bandmasters Association Conference and the Midwest Clinic. His students have performed at the American Trombone Workshop, the Texas Trombone Symposium, the International Trombone Festival, and at the Midwest Clinic. Dr. Cook holds undergraduate degrees from Northern Arizona University, his Master’s Degree in Wind Conducting from Northern Arizona University, and his Doctoral of Musical Arts Degree in Trombone Performance from the University of North Texas.

This session will focus on fundamental aspects of trombone playing to help band directors work with trombonists. Concepts include: playing in tune on a slide, the different types of slurs on a trombone, lip slurs, slide technique, and when/how to convert tenor trombonists into bass trombonists. Session attendees should leave this session feeling stronger in their understanding of the idiosyncrasies of the trombone and in their ability to teach the trombone. An outline of the session is as follows:

I. Playing In Tune on a Slide
Tendencies – Partials and Positions – There are more than 7 positions
Equal Temperament vs. Just Intonation - Harmony Director and Tonal Energy
Drone Pitch vs. Tuners
Duets
Philosophies - adjust slide, not tone or air

II. Types of Slurs - And When To Use Them
Tongue Slur
Natural Slur
Lip Slur

III. Lip Slurs
Why do we do lip slurs?
What should we focus on when performing lip slurs? Control of the air speed
To drone or not to drone?

III. Slide Technique
Wait longer, Move Faster
Late, Fast, Smooth
2 fingers and a thumb
Don’t touch the bell
Lyrical music vs. Technical music

IV. Bass Trombone - when, why, and how?
Equipment: transitional and after
Who are good candidates for switching
Doubling (Tuba/Euph players)
Starting exercises/methods
How do the valves work?

• Band - Middle School
• Band - Secondary