Ken Thompkins

Principal Trombone

Detroit Symphony

Kenneth Thompkins was appointed Principal Trombone of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra by Neeme Järvi. Prior to this appointment, he held positions in the Buffalo Philharmonic and the Florida Orchestra and performed with the New World Symphony under the direction of Michael Tilson Thomas. A former participant in the Detroit Symphony’s African American Fellowship Program, he has been a mentor to several Orchestra Fellows over the years. Kenneth has been invited to perform and conduct master classes at many music schools, including the Curtis Institute of Music, Mannes College, the University of Michigan, and Interlochen Arts Academy. An active chamber musician, Kenneth performs frequently in recital and is a member of Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings. Kenneth has performed concertos with both the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and New World Symphony. Learn more about Ken here.

Brian Wendel

Principal Trombone

Vancouver Symphony

Brian Wendel joined the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra as Principal Trombone in 2017. Winner of the Alessi Seminar Asia Competition (2018) and two International Trombone Association competitions (2014 and 2016), Brian has performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the New York Philharmonic Brass Ensemble and has appeared as a soloist with the Vancouver and Prince George Symphonies, as well as the Juilliard Trombone Choir. He has worked with conductors Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Valery Gergiev, Bramwell Tovey, Esa-Pekka Salonen, David Robertson, Alan Gilbert, and Jaap Van Zweden, among others, performing and recording in venues around the world. Brian received his bachelor’s degree from The Juilliard School, where he was a scholarship student of Joseph Alessi. Learn more about Brian here.

Ko-ichiro Yamamoto

Principal Trombone

Seattle Symphony

Ko-ichiro Yamamoto, one of the foremost Japanese trombonists of his generation, is the principal trombonist of the Seattle Symphony, a faculty member of the University of Washington School of Music, and the newest member of the Center City Brass Quintet. He formerly was a trombonist with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in New York City for 10 seasons. In summer 2012, he was the acting principal trombonist of the New York Philharmonic and co-principle trombonist of the All Star Orchestra. Active as a soloist, recitalist, chamber music performer, and clinician, Ko-ichiro has performed with many groups, including the New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera Chamber Orchestra, and as a guest solo principal trombonist of the NHK Symphony Orchestra, Tokyo. He is also an active recording artist and has performed on numerous TV and movie recordings in New York and Tokyo. Besides that, he has been invited frequently to give recitals and master classes throughout the United States, Asia and Europe. Learn more about Ko-ichiro here.

Ilan Morgenstern

Principal Trombone

Vancouver Symphony

Born in Rehovot, Israel, Ilan Morgenstern is hailed by the International Trombone Association Journal for his “rhythmically driving, technically flawless, and unfailingly dynamic and exciting" playing. Currently the Bass Trombonist of the Vancouver Symphony, Morgenstern has also been a member of the San Antonio Symphony, Houston Grand Opera Orchestra, Jacksonville Symphony and Kansas City Symphony, and in addition has performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony, Dallas Symphony, Utah Symphony, Houston Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Virginia Symphony, New Israeli Opera, and the Israel Philharmonic. Morgenstern's concerto performances have included engagements with the with the San Antonio Symphony, United States “Pershing's Own” Army Orchestra, Millennium Orchestra (Seoul, Korea), Jeju Symphony Orchestra (Jeju, Korea), and the National Repertory Orchestra.  Learn more about Ilan here.

Casey Jones

Principal Trombone

Oregon Symphony

Principal Trombone of the Oregon Symphony, Casey Jones studied music at the New England Conservatory in Boston with Norman Bolter, former trombonist of the Boston Symphony, and at the University of Maryland with Craig Mulcahy, principal trombone of the National Symphony Orchestra. Previous to school he studied with Brian Plitnik. Prior to his appointment to the Oregon Symphony, he played two seasons with The Florida Orchestra, one as second and one as principal. He has also played with the Jacksonville Symphony and the Sarasota Opera. Casey is a winner of the Steven Zellmer-Minnesota Orchestra competition, the U. S. Army-sponsored Tenor Trombone Solo Competition, and the Southwest Trombone Symposium S.E. Shires Solo Competition. He has performed as a guest artist at the American Trombone Workshop and is on faculty with the D. C. Trombone Workshop. Casey is a S.E. Shires performing artist. Learn more about Casey here.

Honours Quartet & Teaching Assistant

Honours Quartet is our highest level of chamber ensemble at VTW. This ensemble is audition-based.

​

The Honours Quartet/TA positions are limited to four vacancies, and we welcome a tuba applicant for consideration as well. As a TA your tuition will be 50% OFF. Housing will not be covered. 

​

How to Apply:

-Submit a video of a solo of your choice, as well as a paragraph explaining why you would be suited to serve as a Teaching Assistant

-Submissions should be sent to vancouvertromboneweek[at]gmail[dot]com by April 15, 2020.

Residence Assistant

We will be accepting requests to serve as Residential Assistants in the dorm, with the compensation of FREE housing.

How to Apply:

-Information on qualifications will be available at a later date, however, please indicate if this would interest you in your application.

Solo Competition

Enter into the VTW Solo Competition to win a variety of generous prizes donated by our sponsors! Prizes are TBA.

​

Due to time constraints, selection to participate in the Guest Artist masterclasses is based on whether or not you enter the competition.

​

How to Apply:

-Submit a video of a solo of your choice (same video as Honours Quartet).

-Submissions should be sent to vancouvertromboneweek[at]gmail[dot]com by April 15, 2020.

Housing Available

As part of our new union with UBC, we are happy to provide housing to any students who need it. Rooms are Double Accomodations. Meals are not included.

​

-$45 cad/night

-We recommend that anyone from out of town book 6 nights/7 days. Sunday August 9 to Saturday August 15.

​

How to Apply:

-Please indicate your interest in housing and for how many nights you will need it in your application.