Pokorny Low Brass Seminar

04/18/2022

Missed the deadline to apply as a performer…? 😭😭😭 We’re still accepting auditor registrations! Auditors can register for the full seminar, or for individual days, and are welcome to observe all seminar events (and play in group warm ups!) Shoot us a message with any questions about auditing!

04/15/2022

Today’s the day!! Applications for this year’s Pokorny Seminar are due tonight by midnight (CST)! Head to our website (https://www.niu.edu/music/programs/pokorny.shtml), and scroll down to the “Participation” section for application instructions. We’d love to see you there!

Unlike many festival-type opportunities, this is an intense workshop for low brass players to really engage a wide range of musical, stylistic, technical and professional issues in-depth with unprecedented access to some of the most respected low brass players.

04/14/2022

From the archives: Randall Hawes and pianist Mitsuko Morikawa performing W Gregory Turner’s “Nocturne” at the 2014 Pokorny Seminar. This is a gorgeous piece and a beautiful performance — enjoy!

04/14/2022

From Randy’s “Melodrama” album: the Third Melody from Prokofiev’s Five Melodies, op. 35b.

An excerpt from John Henken’s program note on this piece (written for the LA Phil) reads, “Prokofiev originally wrote the Five Melodies as vocalises for the Ukrainian soprano Nina Koshetz in 1920. This was two years after he fled the October Revolution in a sort of self-imposed exile and was trying to establish himself in the U.S. as a pianist and composer. He spent much of that year with his opera The Love for Three Oranges, preparing its Chicago premiere. … Prokofiev found the set of five wordless songs impractical for regular performance, and in 1925 he recomposed these exquisitely shaped, sharply characterized miniatures for violin and piano.”

(Only two days left until the application deadline for ! Get those apps in by Friday, 4/15!)

Provided to YouTube by The Orchard EnterprisesFive Melodies, op. 35b: Melody Three · Serge Prokofiev · Kathryn Goodson · Randall HawesMelodrama℗ 2006 Albany ...

04/13/2022

For our final Faculty Spotlight, we’re featuring the incomparable Randall Hawes! Randy has been a pillar of the Pokorny Seminar faculty for many years, and we’re thrilled to be working with him again for . 🙌🏻 Read on for more about Randy, and watch this space for a few highlights of his incredible work!

Randall Hawes was bass trombonist with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) from 1985 to 2020 and is currently acting bass trombonist with the Cleveland Orchestra. Hawes is on the faculties of the Northwestern University Bienen School of Music and the Cleveland Institute of Music. He has taught master classes and performed as a soloist, orchestral and chamber musician in Australia, Asia, Europe, and throughout North America.

Hawes received a bachelor's degree in music education from Central Michigan University, where he studied with William Rivard. From 1980 to 1982, after graduating, he was a member of the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, American Wind Symphony, and the New York Harlem Opera Ensemble. In 1985, after two years on the road with the Woody Herman Orchestra, Hawes was awarded a fellowship to the Tanglewood Institute for the summer, after which he won the DSO position.

In addition to the DSO, he has performed with orchestras including the Pittsburgh, Boston, and Chicago Symphonies, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Grand Teton Music Festival Orchestra. He first performed with the World Orchestra for Peace in 1995 when Sir George Solti invited him to help celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations. His association with W*P continues with Solti's successor, Valery Gergiev, and has included multiple international tours and recordings.

Chamber music groups with which Hawes performs frequently: DSO Octet, Cuttime Players, Chicago's Music of the Baroque, Chicago Chamber Musicians, and musicians of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Hawes can be heard on recordings with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra under Leonard Slatkin, Neeme Jarvi and Gunther Herbig and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under Sir George Solti.

Hawes has recorded two solo CDs: an all-Russian program titled Melodrama and a CD of American music titled Barn Burner. Pianist Kathryn Goodson collaborated with Mr. Hawes on both recordings.

04/12/2022

ICYMI, Timothy Higgins composed and premiered a trombone concerto with the San Francisco Symphony last November. 🔥🔥🔥

Here’s what esteemed conductor Michael Tilson Thomas had to say about Tim and his concerto in advance of the premiere:

04/12/2022

In July 2020, Timothy Higgins released a (fantastic) two-volume album of multitracked arrangements and original compositions called “Underground.” The album includes Prokofiev’s Suite from Romeo and Juliet, arranged by Higgins for 10 trombones. 🔥 Click the link below to hear the ‘Montagues’ movement on YouTube!

“Underground” is available as a digital download on Higgins’ website (https://www.timothyhigginsmusic.com/albums/p/underground-vol-1-digital-download-only) and on iTunes!

Provided to YouTube by CDBabySuite from Romeo and Juliet: IV. Montagues (Arr. for Trombone) · Timothy HigginsUnderground℗ 2020 Timothy HigginsReleased on: 20...

04/11/2022

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SFS Principal Trombone Timothy Higgins is adept at mixing his passions: an intense orchestra life, balanced by running, food and drink, and composing. Learn ...

04/11/2022

For our next Faculty Spotlight, we’re featuring Timothy Higgins! 🎉 Tim has been on the Pokorny Seminar faculty since 2012, and has continuously brought thoughtful, innovative artistry and insightful teaching to his recitals, talks and masterclasses over the years. Read more about Tim below, and watch our socials for some highlights of his work over the next few days! (And… the application deadline for is 4/15 — this Friday!)

Timothy Higgins was appointed to the position of Principal Trombone of the San Francisco Symphony by Michael Tilson Thomas in 2008. Mr. Higgins, a Houston native, has a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from Northwestern University and has performed with the Chicago Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, National Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, Aspen Music Festival, Grand Teton Music Festival, Sun Valley Summer Symphony and Washington National Opera.

In tandem with a busy orchestra career, Timothy Higgins is a sought after composer and arranger. He was the sole arranger of the National Brass Ensemble’s Gabrieli recording. In November 2021, Tim composed and premiered as soloist his Concerto for Trombone with Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony. Additional arrangements and compositions have been programmed by the San Francisco Symphony, Chicago Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Cleveland Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Kansas City Symphony and Steamboat Springs Strings Festival. Tim’s compositions have been commissioned by the San Francisco Symphony, Detroit Symphony and the American Brass Quintet. He was a composer in residence at Music Academy of the West in 2018, debuting a piece for chamber ensemble and voice featuring Deborah Voigt.

Timothy is currently on faculty at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Northwestern University and the Aspen Music Festival. He has led masterclasses in Australia, China, Canada, Japan and the United States.

In 2013, Timothy released his solo CD, Stage Left. Recent albums include two self- produced recordings from 2020 in his Underground series.