ATLANTA TROMBONE DAY
April 6
About the Workshop
The day's schedule starts with group warm-ups, where participants will focus their minds and instruments to prepare for a day of performances. Masterclasses will provide valuable insights and educational opportunities, enabling attendees to refine their skills and deepen their musical understanding. Following the masterclasses, participants will have the chance to explore interactive workshops and breakout sessions. This hands-on experience will allow participants to experiment, collaborate, and grow as musicians in a supportive and creative environment. As the day progresses, everyone will come together for a vibrant showcase, where each participants and ensembles will have the opportunity to share their talents and passion with a captivated audience.
A standout feature of the event is the Mass Trombone Ensemble, a collaboration where all individuals rehearse and perform under the direction of Drs. Bill Mann and Gill Estes. The day culminates with a final concert showcasing trombone ensembles from the region, such as the Atlanta Trombone Ensemble and the Georgia State University Trombone Choir, pre-formed groups, and the Mass Trombone Ensemble. Atlanta Trombone Day is a remarkable chance to connect with fellow trombonists, establish new relationships, and craft enduring memories through a shared passion for music. We hope you will plan to join us in April!
April 6
Schedule
Registration Open
Group Warm-Up with Dr. Jemmie Robertson
Mass Trombone Choir Rehearsal
Break
Xito Lovell Masterclass
Dr. Jemmie Robertson Masterclass
Lunch and Vendors
Lunch provided with registration
Mass Choir Rehearsal
Break
Concert
April 6
Professor Jemmie Robertson
Jemmie Robertson is Associate Professor of Trombone at the University of Florida and Principal Trombone of the Gainesville Orchestra. Jemmie studied at Northwestern University (DM, 2006) with Michael Mulcahy and Randall Hawes; Yale University (MM, 2003) with Scott Hartman and John Swallow; and the University of Northern Colorado (BM, 1997) with Buddy Baker. Jemmie grew up in Billings, MT where he studied with his father, James D. Robertson. Upcoming international performances include Santiago, Chile (September 2023) and Honduras (October 2023). Recent international performances include Trombonanza in Santa Fe, Argentina (August 2023), Urubrass Festival in Uruguay (January 2023); Guest Artist Recital and Masterclass at the Conservatorio de Música, Universidad Mayor, Santiago (August 2022); Alessi Seminar in Fossano, Italy (April 2022); Solo Recital Tour in Japan (July 2019); Turrin’s Fandango at the Les Anches d'Azur Music Festival in La Croix- Valmer, France with the UF Wind Symphony (June 2019); International guest artist at the ATPB 2019 Trombone Festival in João Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil (May 2019). Previously, Jemmie performed with the Breckenridge Music Festival (2000-2019) and as Principal Trombone of the Santo Domingo Festival in the Dominican Republic (2011-2015). Jemmie has published four solo recordings: Red Dragonfly (2021, Mark Custom), Collaborations (2017), Conditions of a Solitary Bird (2014), and A New Day Dawning (2008, MSR Classics). Jemmie was a founding member of the American Trombone Quartet, which released the album Premiere! (2020, Mark Custom) and were featured artists at the 2019 Lille Trombone Festival in Lille, France, and the 2017 & 2018 International Trombone Festivals. Since 2015, Jemmie is a member of the Southeast Trombone Symposium Professors Choir with whom he recorded the album Legacy in 2018. Previously Jemmie was a member of the U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. Jemmie is an Edwards Artist and Clinician.
Gil Estes
Gil Estes is a native of Atlanta, Georgia where he studied with Dr. Paul Mann and Mr. Bill Hill. He graduated from the Florida State University and studied with Dr. William Cramer and Dr. John Drew, later attending the University of Northern Colorado studying with Mr. Buddy Baker. Gil currently attends Georgia State University as part of the GSU 62 program and is pursuing a Master of Music in Trombone Performance with Dr. Bill Mann (son of Dr. Paul Mann mentioned above). Gil is an active free-lance musician. He can be found performing at various venues around metro-Atlanta in ensembles ranging from chamber brass and symphony orchestras to pit-orchestras, cover/tribute bands and big bands. He also teaches private lessons to students of all ages. Before moving to a career in software consulting, Gil was a high school band director in South Florida and metro-Atlanta. Bands under his direction consistently received high ratings in both marching and concert performance. Today, when he’s not on campus at Georgia State University, Gil works with various school band programs assisting with low brass instruction.
Xito Lovell
Born in the City of Colón, Panama, José Antonio Lovell Montenegro (born October 7, 1993), better known as Xito Lovell, is a Grammy and Latin Grammy-winning Recording artist, trombonist, producer, composer, arranger, performer, flugelhornist, and singer. He is an artist endorsed by the prestigious B.A.C. Musical Instruments brand and serves as the leader of the Que Xopa Collective, based in New York City. He embarked on his musical journey at the age of seven. In 2010, he enrolled at the National Conservatory of Music of Panama, and later in 2012, he pursued a bachelor's degree in trombone performance at the National University of Panama. In recent years, Lovell has been actively involved in various events and festivals such as the Panama Jazz Festival, Global Citizen NYC, Newport Jazz Festival, American Folk Festival, Glastonbury Festival (England), Afro-Latino Festival (NYC), Atlas Golden Fest (Panama), Carmen from Havana, Back (Off-Broadway), and Macro-Fest (Panama), Riviera Maya Jazz Festival (Mexico) among many others. In 2013, he was awarded a full scholarship to study at the prestigious Berklee College Of Music in Boston, MA. He graduated from Berklee in 2018 with a Bachelor of Music Performance specialized in Trombone. In 2020, Xito was honored with a Presidential Scholarship to pursue his Master's Degree at New Jersey City University, where he completed his studies in 2022. Moreover, Xito served as an Artist in Residence at the esteemed Roger Smith Hotel in NYC from 2021 to 2022, further solidifying his impact and influence in the vibrant cultural landscape of the city. Throughout his career, Xito has had the privilege of sharing the stage and collaborating with numerous world-renowned artists such as Ruben Blades, Ricky Martin, Residente, Camila Cabello, Jon Batiste, Pedrito Martinez Group, Pedro Capó, CUCO, Tony Succar, Omar Alfanno, Carlos Garnett, Vitin Paz, Tia Fuller, Terence Blanchard, John Benitez, Orquesta Guayacán, Tony Vega, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Ruben Rodriguez, George Garzone, Pedro Carrero, Charlie Cardona, Toto la Momposina, Liz Wright, Angel Lopez, Andy Montañez, Tito Nieves, Los Adolescentes, Javier Limón, Ruben Rodriguez, Leo Genovese, Louie Vega, Sean Jones, Xiomara Laugart, Making Movies, among others.
April 6
Faculty
Professor William Mann
William Mann is the Associate Professor of Trombone at Georgia State University and has been on faculty since 2013. Prior to his appointment at GSU, William taught at Morehead State University, the University of Missouri, Prairie View A&M University and the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor. In addition to college teaching, William taught instrumental music in the TexasPublic Schools and served as a private studio teacher for over 12 years. William is currently Principal Trombone with the Atlanta Opera and the Atlanta Ballet, and Second Trombone the Des Moines Symphony and the Columbus Symphony (GA) Orchestras. His orchestral experiences also include performances with the Atlanta, Chattanooga, Kalamazoo, Lexington Philharmonic, Ohio Valley, West Virginia, Quad-City, Missouri, South Carolina Philharmonic, Tuscaloosa, Meridian, Victoria and Waco Symphony Orchestras. He has also performed with the Austin Lyric Opera, as well as the Victoria Bach, Texas Music and Hot Springs Music Festivals, and the 49th Armored Division B. His jazz experience includes performing with the Di Martino Osland Jazz Orchestra (DOJO) and the Waco Jazz Orchestra, among others. William sustains a very active chamber music career. In 2023, William and Jemmie Robertson (University of Florida) founded the Brews Brothers Trombone Duo with a premiere performance at the International Trombone Festival in Salt Lake City, Utah. William is also a member of the Atlanta Brassworks and was a founding member of the American Trombone Quartet. William is regularly sought after as a lecturer, clinician and performer throughout the United States and Brazil, including the Blue Lake Music Camp in Blue Lake, MI, the Bay View Music Festival in Bay View, MI, the Third Coast Trombone Retreat in Montague, MI, and the Festival Nacional de Musicain Goiania, Brazil, and the III Encontro Trombonistas de São Luis in addition to many universities and schools across the United States. William received his Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees in trombone performance from the University of Texas at Austin in addition to a Bachelor of Music Education from Baylor University.
April 6
Atlanta Trombone Ensemble
The Atlanta Trombone Ensemble (originally called Slide by Slide) was founded in 1997. The original participants were members of the Atlanta Wind Symphony wanting to get together during the off-season to play quartets and keep up their collective “chops”. Since the summer of 2012, Gil Estes has been the musical director for the ensemble. During his tenure, the ensemble has broadened its repertoire to include more challenging music, including 8 to 12 part traditional trombone choir pieces. They have become a regular participant in International Trombone Week and have performed twice at the International Trombone Festival, once at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York and later at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. Each year the group performs multiple concerts including visits to various universities including Tennessee Tech, UGA, Florida State and Georgia State University. In December, the group hosts “YuleSlide Atlanta,” a community holiday event open to trombone players of all ages and abilities.
GSU Trombone Choir
The Georgia State Trombone Choir is open to all students at GSU, both music majors and non-music majors. As an extension of the trombone studio, the GSU Trombone choir provides students the opportunity to learn to play in various versions of the trombone ensemble family from trios on up to 16-part arrangements. Then GSU Trombone Choir performs regularly for various university events and for the community.
April 6
Fees
We welcome high school students, collegiate and early professionals to attend. Lunch is included for all registered participants. All registration fees are non-refundable.
Contact Us
Office/Delivery Address
35 Broad Street, Suite 410
Atlanta, GA 30303
Mailing Address
P.O. Box 3984
Atlanta, GA 30302
Office Hours
8:30 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.
Director of Educational Outreach
Amy Reid