Trombone at Central Michigan University

09/25/2026

With CMU's 'Forge the Future' campaign in full swing, if you are considering a financial gift to the university and want to have a direct impact on our students in the trombone studio please follow the link below and search for the "William H. Rivard Trombone Endowment" or the "Paul J. Willwerth Brass Endowed Award". We have lots of other various funds that can be found my searching "music".

09/12/2026

Some of our studio members recently had the opportunity to hear a fabulous recital performed by Gracie Potter, Principal Trombone of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, and her brother Caden Potter! Many thanks to our friends at Saginaw Valley State University for hosting this concert, and also to the CMU Trombone Association for providing funding for our students to attend.

09/10/2026

We are excited to share Dr. Bartels' recordings of the 2026/27 MSBOA All-State Etudes. The playlist linked below includes reference recordings of the middle school trombone, high school tenor trombone, and high school bass trombone etudes, along with practice suggestions. Please share widely with students planning to audition for All-State!

The jazz etude will be posted within the next week.

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08/28/2026

Considering an undergraduate or graduate degree in music? Now is the time to apply to the Central Michigan University Trombone Studio! Prospective undergraduate students are able to apply to CMU for FREE through October 31st.

CMU and the School of Music have many funding options available for both undergraduate and graduate students, and a very competitive tuition rate to help make your music education affordable!

The CMU Trombone Studio is home to approximately 16 students in our various degree programs each semester, and ALL students regardless of their year in school and degree program take lessons with Assistant Professor of Trombone, Dr. Cole Bartels. Students also participate in the CMU Trombone Choir, two hours of studio class each week, and coached chamber music ensembles providing many hours of direct instructional time with Dr. Bartels each week, in addition to playing in our many fantastic ensembles and their coursework.

Scan the QR code, send Dr. Bartels an email, or send us a message to get in touch!

08/21/2026

As students head back to our K-12 schools across the state, we want to congratulate and send best wishes to our Bachelor of Music Education alumni from the trombone studio who graduated during the 2025/26 academic year and are beginning their careers!

Kobe Caning (BME ’26) - Morley Stanwood Community Schools, 6-12 Band.
Sydnee Abt (BME ’25) - Fairview Area Schools, K-12 Band, Choir, and General Music
Jake Crotteau (BME and BM ’25) - Battle Creek Public Schools, 6-8 Band and Choir
Patrick DeSantis (BME ’26) - Mayville Community Schools, K-12 Band and General Music

Not pictured:
Riley Beernink (BME and BM ’25) - East Jordan Public Schools, 5-12 Band
Asher Peters (BME ’25) - Grand Rapids School District, K-4 General Music

Have a fantastic year, and Fire Up Chips!

08/03/2026

Last month, studio members Autumn Allen and Maia Suggs attended the 2026 Windy City Trombone Retreat hosted by Catie Hickey. Autumn and Maia were able to participate in chamber ensemble and trombone choir performances, attend various lectures and masterclasses including by Robyn Smith of the Chicago Sinfonietta, and network with other trombonists from around the country.

06/10/2026

Please join us in welcoming two more of our incoming students - Calder and Drake!

06/08/2026

We are excited to have seven new students joining the CMU Trombone Studio this August. Please join us in welcoming three of them - Gavin, Auden, and Dylan!

06/05/2026

Congratulations to studio member Autumn Allen (BM ’29) on being accepted and receiving a scholarship to attend the 2026 DC Trombone Workshop via competitive audition! Autumn will spend a week in the DC area this July where she will have the opportunity to work with a wide variety of orchestral and military band trombonists, and university trombone faculty from around the country.

05/09/2026

Today we celebrated the three newest graduates from the CMU Trombone Studio: Kobe Canning (Bachelor of Music Education), Patrick DeSantis (Bachelor of Music Education) and Brody Fennelly (Broadcast and Cinematic Arts major, music minor. They all received their degrees today, and are moving on to their next journey! We will miss their tremendous presence and contributions in the School of Music, but are very excited to see what amazing things these three will do as graduates of Central Michigan University!