The program at Lawrence for trombone is designed to give a comprehensive education in performance and pedagogy. Students studying trombone may select from majors in music performance, music education, or theory/composition. Many students choose to pursue the double degree program – combining a music degree with a degree from the college of liberal arts and sciences. All students study standard solo repertoire, etudes, and orchestra or band excerpts. For those interested in jazz, lessons include learning standard jazz techniques and repertoire. The Lawrence University Trombone Ensemble is composed of Lawrence students, faculty, and administration who are interested in playing the trombone. Though the group typically performs as a full ensemble, often smaller groups of trombones rehearse and perform. The smaller ensembles include the newly acquired quartet of Egger Slokar model Renaissance sackbuts (one alto, two tenor, and one bass sackbut).
The Studio
Faculty
- Nick Keelan, trombone
Associate Professor of Music
Nick Keelan is Associate Professor of Trombone at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. Along with teaching trombone he teaches in the Jazz and Improvisational Music Department, directs the Lawrence Trombone Ensemble, and performs with the Lawrence Faculty Jazz Group and the Lawrence Brass, the faculty brass quintet. The Lawrence Trombone Ensemble is currently composed of 29 trombonists and has performed recently with Conrad Herwig, Stuart Dempster, Todd Baldwin (US Army Ceremonial Band), Wycliffe Gordon, and Jim Pugh. Since he joined the faculty in 1985, Keelan has taught trombone, bass trombone, euphonium, tuba, chaired instrumental music education, chaired the Woodwind-Brass-Percussion department, and served as conductor of the Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Band, and Jazz Workshop. Prior to coming to Lawrence he taught for ten years in the schools of Colorado and Texas. His degrees are from the University of Northern Colorado and Henderson State University in Arkansas. He performs on and is a clinician for Getzen trombones.
Contact by e-mail: nick.keelan@lawrence.edu
Nick Keelan's personal webpage: http://www.lawrence.edu/fast/keelann/
- Kathryn Hardt, trombone
Lecturer of Music
Kate Hardt graduated from Lawrence University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Music degree in music education and trombone performance. In June of 2010 she completed her Master of Music degree at Northwestern University. Her trombone teachers include Michael Mulcahy (Chicago Symphony Orchestra), Don Haack (Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, retired), and Nick Keelan (Lawrence University). Kate taught at Franklin Middle School in Green Bay, Muskego High School in Muskego, WI, and is currently Director of Bands at Xavier High School in Appleton, WI.
Contact by e-mail: kathryn.m.hardt@lawrence.edu
