As active orchestral musicians, the faculty offers students a modern professional performance perspective while enriching their learning through a variety of meaningful outlets.
David Murray studied at the Eastman School of Music with John Marcellus and at the Curtis Institute of Music with Blair Bollinger. Randall Campora studied here at the Peabody Conservatory with Douglas Yeo and at Florida State University with William Cramer. Biographies on Mr. Murray and Mr. Campora may be found at the bottom of this page.
Peabody’s Trombone Department typically consists of six to eight tenor trombones and three bass trombones. The small studio number allows each student to receive personalized instruction from their primary faculty. A Peabody trombone student receives fourteen lessons per semester. The Trombone Department also meets for studio class, where students further learn and develop their orchestra sectional playing experience, discuss public performance/audition strategy, play mock auditions, and collaborate for solo nights. There are performances throughout the year with the Peabody Trombone Choir, conducted by David Murray. Recent trombone choir performances include the Towson University Trombone Workshop, Peabody’s Friday Noon:30 Concert Series, and nearby churches.
Peabody offers a strong focus on consistent ensemble experience. The Trombone Department’s smaller size ensures students are consistently participating within one of Peabody’s large ensembles. Peabody has two orchestras, a studio orchestra, a wind ensemble, conductors’ orchestra, jazz orchestra, brass ensembles, brass band, trombone choir, and brass chamber groups. Beyond this there is a wealth of ad hoc activity inside and outside the school.
Masterclasses are an integral part of the learning experience for Peabody trombone students. Trombone artists who present classes for the Peabody Conservatory are leaders in their respective field and offer students a unique blend of influences.
Recent guests artists include:
2019-20
Peter Steiner (international trombone soloist)
Peter Ellefson (Professor of Trombone, Indiana University)
Mark Kellogg (Professor of Trombone, Eastman School of Music)
2018-19
Nico and Martin Schippers (Trombonists of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra)
Wycliffe Gordon (jazz trombonist, arranger, composer, band leader, and music educator)
Ava Ordman (Professor of Trombone, Michigan State University and Principal Trombone, Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music)
Nathan Siler (Peabody Alumnus and Professor of Trombone, Eastern Kentucky University),
2017-18
Ronald Barron (retired Principal Trombone, Boston Symphony)
Abbie Conant (Professor of Trombone at the Musikhochschule in Trossingen Germany, and former Principal Trombone, Munich Philharmonic).
Peabody upholds the finest standards of excellence among music schools and conservatories within the United States, and many of Peabody’s graduates go on to professional playing and teaching jobs throughout the world. Mr. Murray and Mr. Campora nurture a supportive and cooperative atmosphere to work toward success as a professional musician.
For further information about the Peabody trombone studio, please feel free to contact Mr. Murray, Mr. Campora, or the Admissions Office of the Peabody Conservatory.
Bass trombonist Randy Campora joined the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in 1985 during his third year of undergraduate studies at the Peabody Conservatory. He has also performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra, the Tallahassee Symphony, and has appeared as soloist with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.
David Murray was appointed second trombonist of the National Symphony Orchestra by Christoph Eschenbach in 2014. Prior to joining the NSO, Murray was a freelance musician performing with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Baltimore, Cincinnati, Jacksonville, San Antonio, and San Diego symphonies.