2025 ILMEA etudes

• Junior Band
• Senior Band
• Junior Jazz
• Senior Jazz

Daily Warm-Up Routine

Over the years, I’ve put together a routine that I do every day before I practice or perform. It’s made up of some of the classic exercises from Emory Remington, Philip Farkas, and Robert Marstellar, plus others developed by my teachers. There are even some I created myself. This is just what works for me, and all players are different, but I always suggest students at least try them.

KFF Daily Routine (password protected)

Links

Here are a variety of links to some people and places that have been important in my musical life, some ensembles I perform with, as well as trombone resources for both students. I hope you will find them useful!

• Jim Pugh, one of my former teachers and doctoral advisor
• Doug Yeo, former bass trombonist of the Boston Symphony and a mentor to me in both trombone and scholarship
• The Last Trombone, Doug’s very excellent blog
• University of Illinois Trombone Studio, one of my alma maters
• Chicago Composers Orchestra, a new music ensemble
• Chicago Brass Band, a British-style brass band
• Louis Pettinelli Entertainment, one of a few jobbing bands I work with in the area
• International Trombone Association, the world’s largest trombone organization with info about festivals and competitions plus the ITA Journal
• TromboneExcerpts.org, a great resource from Seth Vatt to listen to and study trombone writing in orchestral literature

Resources for Parents/guardians

I’m often asked by parents/guardians where to start when purchasing a new or used instrument for their student. There are many fine new instruments available from companies like Bach, Conn, Yamaha, Edwards, and Shires (I personally use trombones made by Edwards, King, Yamaha, and Bach), but consider a used instrument as well. In some cases, these will be better crafted instruments than what’s being made today. Here are some used instrument dealers I trust and have purchased:

• Brass Ark, La Crescenta, CA
• The Brass Exchange, St. Louis, MO
• Dillon Music, Woodbridge, NJ

Each of these will ship and offer a trial period with a money-back guarantee, except for shipping costs.

Here are my preferred places for accessories, sheet music, and repair:

• Dana Hofer Brass Repair, the most trusted brass repair shop in the Chicago area
• Hickey’s Music Trombone Catalog, the best collection of low brass print music I’ve found, plus lots of low brass equipment (mutes, cases, oils/lubricants, etc.)
• Uncle Jon’s Music, a family-owned music shop in Westmont where I’ve taught lessons