The James Madison Trombone Quartet was formed in 2001 by
Kurt Holscher, Michelle Poland, Chris Monte and Ben Polk. It is the
mission of the quartet to support the advancement of the trombone through
performing and sharing compositions with the public. The quartet takes
pride in delivering professional entertainment through the exciting sound of
the trombone. Public performances by the quartet are meant not
only to entertain its listeners, but also to provide educational
information to other musicians, listeners, and fellow trombonists. All
members of the quartet are from the
trombone studio at
James Madison University in Harrisonburg,
Virginia.
Our performances do not only include
education and professional performances, as well as entertainment and
occasional appearances. We are available to perform at any type of occasion
(such as weddings, banquets, church services, etc.) and encourage you to
visit our Repertoire and
Media Gallery pages for more
information.
Chris Monte-
Christopher is a senior trombone student at James Madison University majoring in music industry. A graduate of Dulaney High School in Timonium Maryland, Christopher studies under Dr. Andrew Lankford at JMU and has been studying the trombone for eleven years. Previous to his college career he studied under Benjamin Choiunard. He was in the Peabody Sinfonia for two years, and also performed with the Peabody Herald Brass Quintet directed by Larry Williams. Christopher was a member of the Greater Baltimore Youth Orchestra for one year and in 2000 was second chair in the Maryland All State Band. He has received a scholarship to Peabody Preparatory and a scholarship to James Madison University. At JMU Christopher has been a member of the Marching Royal Dukes, Concert Band, University Band, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Jazz Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Brass Band, Symphony Orchestra, Opera Orchestra, Musical Theater, Chamber Orchestra, Chorale, Trombone Choir, and a Brass Quintet. He has also played with the Charlottesville Symphony.
Matt Schucker-
Residing in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Matt
has been playing trombone since he was in 4th grade. He was 1st chair in the
2002 PMEA State Orchestra festival, and has studied with Mrs. Sherry Ober,
and Mr. Steve Shiffer in PA, as well as Dr. Lankford at JMU. Matt, an Eagle
Scout, is currently a second year student at James Madison University where
he is pursuing a career in Music Education. At JMU, Matt has performed with
the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Jazz Ensemble, Brass Band,
Trombone Choir, and the Marching Royal Dukes.
Paul Pietrowski-
Paul is a native of Richmond,
Virginia and is a graduate of J.R. Tucker High School. He is currently
a junior at James Madison University and is working on his Bachelors in
Music Education. His primary teachers include Dr. Andrew Lankford, and
Mr. Ronald Beadke. Paul has performed in JMU's Wind Symphony,
Orchestra, Symphonic Band, Chamber Orchestra, Brass Band, Theatre Orchestra,
Trombone Choir, and the Marching Royal Dukes. He has also played
in the Richmond Concert Band, Richmond Symphonic Winds, "Cinco de Mayo" Brass
Quintet, Richmond Jazz Ensemble, New Lyric Theatre Pit Orchestra, New
England Music Camp, and Busch Gardens' Oktober Festhause.
John Sipher-
John hails from Roanoke,
Virginia where he studied for four years under Steve Hedrick, and played
with the Roanoke Youth Symphony, Northwest Regional Jazz Ensemble, and
played several gigs with the highly demanded Kings. Now under Dr.
Lankford, he is studying Music Education. At JMU, John has performed
with the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, a jazz combo, the
Trombone Choir, Theatre Orchestra, and the Marching Royal Dukes.
