The Hugh Hodgson School of Music is a thriving department within the larger Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. The School of Music is home to about 350 undergraduates and 250 graduate students and is housed in a magnificent state of the art facility. Ensembles are very strong, practice space is plentiful, and there is a strong sense of community within the department. There are hundreds of performances every year, many of which are presented in the acoustically brilliant Performing Arts Center. Each year, over 300 concerts and recitals are offered by the ensembles of the Hodgson School. Performance experience for both music majors and non-majors is offered in large ensembles and chamber groups of extensive variety. All degree programs require students to perform in both large and small ensembles. Participation in a large ensemble is a co-requisite of applied study. At present, the School supports fourteen large ensembles which include three Concert Bands, the Redcoat Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, University Philharmonia, and the Symphony Orchestra. Chamber ensembles are a vital area of study within the instrumental department. In addition to the Trombone Ensemble, studio members are involved in either a brass quintet or trombone quartet. These groups are an excellent way to push individual artistic boundaries.

The Hugh Hodgson School of Music offers a variety of programs for both undergraduate and graduate students. Degree emphasis ranges from broad to very specific, ensuring that every student is able to focus on their area(s) of interest. At the undergraduate level, all music majors have Applied Music & Ensemble components. Undergraduate Programs: Bachelor of Music - Performance Bachelor of Music - Education Bachelor of Music - Composition Bachelor of Music - Theory Bachelor of Music - Therapy Bachelor of Arts - Music Music Minor Jazz Minor Graduate Programs: Master of Music - Performance Doctor of Musical Arts - Performance

The number of minors we can accept into the studio depends on the number of majors that are auditioning and are accepted any given year. Regardless of whether you intend to minor or major in music, the audition process is identical.

Undergraduate Audition Dates are: January 19, 2024 January 27, 2024 February 3, 2024 Graduate Audition Dates are: Saturday, January 13, 2024 Monday, January 29, 2024 Pre-screening deadline for graduate applicants is December 1, 2023. University deadline for undergraduate applicants is January 1, 2024.

Undergraduate audition requirements are found here. Graduate audition requirements are found here.

Undergraduate Applicants: 2 contrasting selections (1 etude and 1 solo) All major scales (2 octaves preferred) Chromatic scale (2 octaves from any given pitch) Sight-reading Repertoire suggestions Graduate Applicants (pre-screening): 2 contrasting solo selections (with piano) 1 etude 3 standard orchestral excerpts Please select repertoire that showcases your strengths and allows you to demonstrate your very best playing.

Six months to a year prior to your application and audition, these are the things you should have on your radar and to-do list: Research programs and collect a list of schools at which you want to pursue auditions. Get familiar with the required audition material and important deadlines. Set up a lesson with the professors you’re interested in and schedule a time to sit in for a studio class while you’re visiting the school. Meeting prospective students is a normal part of a professor’s schedule and you are highly encouraged to take a lesson, see how your personalities mesh, and meet your possible future peers. Work with a band director, private lesson teacher, or the actual professor for whom you are auditioning. Weekly lessons that focus on repertoire preparation and fundamental development. Seek advice early and often so you are set up for the best audition experience possible. Attend extracurricular opportunities during the school year or over the summer at the school(s) you’re interested in. Summer music programs, intensive band clinics, etc. will give you a feel for the environment of the school beyond a one or two day visit. Note that admission to the Hugh Hodgson School of Music also requires admission to the University of Georgia with a separate application process. Both must be completed.

On average, between 30-45 prospective undergraduate and graduate trombonists audition for us each year.

For Fall 2024, we have 2 open Graduate TA positions (1 tenor / 1 bass) and between 3-6 undergraduate openings.

For undergraduate students, there are a number of music scholarships available each year to prospective music majors that have been ranked highest amongst the trombone auditionees. For music minors and non-majors, there is limited scholarship funding available through Redcoats. For students living outside of Georgia, there are out-of-state tuition waivers for which the highest ranking students can be nominated by the studio professor.

The best advice we can give you so that you give the strongest audition possible is to take regular private lessons with an experienced trombone specialist. Weekly lessons should address fundamental improvement on the instrument and also guide you in learning how to practice. Listen to great trombonists and try to describe what you like best about their sound and style. Study original trombone repertoire and etude books. Be as active as possible with music during high school. Be immersed in the study of your instrument...not only in performing concerts. While we wish we could accept every student that auditions on trombone at UGA, the reality is that we have just a few open spots per year. Our preference leans towards students that are motivated, curious, determined, and community-minded.

On average, the trombone studio is between 16 - 20 music majors, including first-year undergraduates through doctoral students. The number of students graduating in the preceding year determines the number of openings in the studio the following year.

Trombone majors are passionate about music and are dedicated to pushing themselves and each other towards a higher level of technical and musical artistry on the instrument. Our studio is a supportive environment where everyone’s voice is valued and each individual's unique artistry is cultivated. All trombone majors practice between 90 minutes to four hours a day, depending on the specific concentration. Chamber music, such as trombone choir, trombone quartets and brass quintets, is an integral part of our studio’s activities and provides students the opportunity to learn professional skills such as leadership, teamwork, and accountability. We have weekly studio seminar classes, that allow for every studio member to perform for group feedback. We enjoy a regular lineup of world-class guest artists that perform, teach, and coach while on campus. The studio also has weekly warmups and collaborative practice sessions that foster an environment of "iron sharpening iron." Our students present a variety of different kinds of recitals and concerts each semester, and attend regional and national trombone conferences, workshops, festivals, and symposia in order to plug into a greater musical community.

Every member of the studio is required to own their own instrument. Tenor trombone majors should have a .547 bore tenor trombone with f-attachment. If they have an interest in jazz or commercial music, a .500 or .525 bore instrument (such as a King 2B) is necessary. Bass trombone majors should have a .562 bore instrument with F/Gb independent valves. Though bell size is variable, 9.5" is preferable. Like many things in life, you get what you pay for. There are many reputable instrument companies, and it is in your best interest to stay with them (Bach, Edwards/Getzen, Shires, Conn, Yamaha, Benge, etc). Buying a new instrument can be a dizzying process, so please consult with Dr. Bynum and he can assist you in finding the best quality instrument for your budget. Every student must also own a suitable mouthpiece and are responsible for purchasing the necessary maintenance materials to keep their instruments in excellent working condition. It will also be necessary for every student to own a straight mute and cup mute. Preferable models are Denis Wick and Jo-Ral. Other mutes may be required as needed (ex. Harmon, Bucket, etc.) You will also be required to purchase etude and solo material each semester. These materials serve as the foundation for your course of study, and are an absolute necessity. Dr. Bynum will assign material on an individual basis. Purchases should be made in a timely manner. Students are encouraged to purchase additional music and recordings from various genres on a regular basis. Building an extensive library of resources is invaluable for both the future educator and performer. For more information regarding basic onboarding of new students, please read this: . Also, check out our page on Hickey's Music for purchasing required studio resources for ACCESSORIES, METHODS/STUDIES, and ETUDES.

That depends on how important becoming a better musician is to you. Make no mistake, your time in college will go by very quickly, and it is very important to take advantage of this opportunity to improve your abilities. Doing so will absolutely translate into success, regardless of your chosen discipline. Lessons can't make you a better musician...only consistent practice of a high quality can do that. Studying with Dr. Bynum will give you all of the tools to succeed, but you need to commit to doing the work for yourself. If you're practicing to improve, you will never get bored --- there will always be something to work on. Our studio motto comes from Vince Lombardi: "Perfection is not attainable. But if you chase perfection, you can catch excellence." Here are some suggestions to help guide your practice and preparation process: