Welcome to ITF 2010

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to an exciting week at the 39th International Trombone Festival. We feel confident that you will find the concerts, lectures, and exhibits to be educational, entertaining and inspirational. Each year, the ITF provides an opportunity for us to meet, share scholarship and performance artistry, hear new compositions, try out the latest instrument designs and new equipment, and enjoy a camaraderie unique to our association. The University of Texas at Austin (UT) is extremely proud to host this year's event and we will do our best to make this one of the greatest festivals, ever.

The City of Austin, famous as the "Live Music Capital of the World" frequently ranks high on lists of "Best Cities" and is an ideal setting for this year's trombone celebration. The beautiful geography of the Texas Hill Country, a vibrant downtown (the Sixth Street entertainment district and the Elephant Room Jazz Club are "must" stops), mouth-watering local cuisine, a world-class university, and UT's state of the art music facilities enhance opportunities for memorable experiences by Festival participants.

This special week is being made possible through the insight and hard work of Festival Director, Jon Bohls and his artistic/planning committees, Associate Director Chris Dobbins, the ITF Board of Directors, and scores of volunteers. We are also deeply grateful for the use of the UT's fine facilities and for the many things that my colleagues are doing to make us all feel welcome. So, COME ON DOWN, enjoy the Festival, take the time to introduce yourself, enjoy our laid-back Texas hospitality, and, by all means, visit with the Festival exhibitors, faculty, artists, staff and volunteers.

HOPING TO SEE YOU SOON!

Nathaniel O. Brickens

ITF 2010 Host
Past President, International Trombone Association
Professor of Trombone, UT Austin