ITF 2011: A Great 40th Anniversary in Nashville

We thank you all for coming to ITF 2011 in Nashville, Tennessee. This is where Henry Romersa started it all as the International Trombone Workshop 40 years ago. Some of you remember the first nine years at Peabody College before it became part of Vanderbilt University and then another eight at Belmont College (now University).

Change has been the name of the game at these institutions and Nashville since ITF was here at Belmont in 2001. Progress has been positive in Middle Tennessee and we hope you enjoyed your time in Music City. One highlight of this year's festival was Joe Alessi's premiere of a new concerto for tenor trombone by Daniel Schnyder with the acclaimed Nashville Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Maestro Giancarlo Guerrero at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.

Watch the YouTube video of Joe Alessi introducing the Schnyder Trombone Concerto premiered with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra - YouTube video

This year's 40th Anniversary ITF honored the traditions of "Inspiring Virtuosity" with some of those folks who made the early International Trombone Workshops a success while pointing the way for the next 40 years with a line up that was truly inspirational.

Vanderbilt University and its Blair School of Music proudly served as the host site for ITF with Dr. Jeff Phillips of Belmont University leading the Jr. ITF activities. Music City is the home of all types of music with collaboration and cooperation a local tradition that was in full display during the Festival.

This special week was 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. 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 enjoy camaraderie unique to our association.

Joseph (Joe) Awad, MD
Lawrence Borden
Co-hosts

See Tennessean video report on the festival below.