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Brass · 169 verified programs with a trombone pathway

Trombone: degrees, diplomas and programs

Trombone study uses a slide to develop a vocal, flexible brass sound for orchestral, chamber, jazz and band repertoire.

Also called: Posaune, Trombón, Trombone (French), Trombone (Italian), Sackbut (historical relative).

What the listings below mean

A program is listed for trombone only where its official page names the instrument in the title, as a major, or as a formal principal-study pathway. These are formal degree, diploma or certificate pathways; the page says which. An instrument taught in private lessons, or a teacher on the faculty, does not create a listing.

94 Bachelor’s · 60 Master’s · 8 Diploma · 4 Practice doctorate · 3 Certificate · 133 named major, 5 formal principal-study pathway, 31 named in the program title

169 programs

How results are ordered: alphabetically by institution, or by most recently checked when you choose that sort. There is no price ranking, because tuition in different currencies, fee categories and bases (per year, per credit, whole program) is not comparable. A program appears under a subject only through a verified link (dedicated degree, major, concentration or documented pathway). A value we could not verify is shown as “not published”, never as “no”. Items marked Sponsored are paid placements; they never change verification or order. Online programs are not counted as physically located in a state or city, and an institution’s location does not tell you whether it enrols students from your country.

Published trombone audition repertoire

Copied from each program’s own admissions page. Requirements are specific to the program and intake: follow the link and check the current year.

  • University of Iowa: Bachelor of Music (BM)
    • Prescreening | No prescreening required. | Preparation requirements | Candidates should prepare two contrasting selections from the standard repertoire for their instrument, which may include solos, etudes, and/or orchestral excerpts. | Students may choose to play the two All-State etudes for the current year. | It is critical that the audition material be thoroughly prepared. | Time requirement | Candidates should prepare 15 minutes of music that showcases their best playing within the 30 minute audition time slot allowance. | Accompaniment | No accompaniment is required. | Technical requirements | No technical requirements. | Repertoire | Suggested solos | Barat, Andante and Allegro | Guilmant, Morceau Symphonique | David, Concertino (mvt. 1) | Morel, Piece in F minor | Telemann, Sonata in F minor | Suggested etudes | Rochut/Bordogni, Melodious Etudes, book 1 (for lyrical selection) | Voxman, Selected Studies (contrasting etudes) | Blazhevich, Studies in Clefs (contrasting etudes)
  • Lawrence University: Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.)
    • Three contrasting works that highlight your expression, technique, and creativity (10-15 minutes total). These can include: | Solo works such as Alexandre Guilmant “Morceau Symphonique”, Barbara York “A Caged Bird”, and Anthony Barfield “Red Sky” | Etudes such as Rochut/Bordogni Melodious Etudes, or Blazhevich Clef Studies | Orchestral excerpts such as Mozart “Tuba Mirum”, Berlioz “Hungarian March”, or Saint-Saëns Symphony No. 3 | Jazz transcriptions such as JJ Johnson “Old Devil Moon” | Improvisations with backing tracks | The following scales: | G major and F# major in two octaves | F harmonic minor in two octaves | Chromatic scale from your lowest comfortable note to your highest comfortable note | Sight-reading may be requested during live auditions | An introductory video is required for recorded auditions | For students interested in the Jazz Emphasis, please refer to the Jazz Audition Guidelines .
  • DePaul University: Bachelor of Music
    • We encourage all applicants to audition in person if possible. Register for a live audition by January 15. | Please note: Performance majors and musical studies majors have different repertoire requirements. If your intended major is Music Education, Sound Recording Technology, Performing Arts Management, or Bachelor of Arts, please prepare the Musical Studies repertoire. | Tenor Trombone Audition Repertoire (Performance Majors) | Romantic Solo (choose one of the following or a comparable piece): Saint-Saens Cavatine , Guilmant Morceau Symphonique , Sulek Sonata , Bozza Ballade. | Baroque Solo (choose one of the following or a comparable piece): two contrasting movements from any Galliard or Marcello Sonata. | Orchestral Excerpts (prepare all): Ravel Bolero, Wagner Ride of the Valkyries (B Major section only or ) , Berlioz Hungarian March, Mozart Tuba Mirum. | Tenor Trombone Audition Repertoire (Musical Studies Majors) | Romantic Solo (choose one of the following or a comparable piece): Saint-Saens Cavatine , Guilmant Morceau Symphonique , Sulek Sonata , Bozza Ballade. | Baroque Solo (choose one of the following or a comparable piece): two contrasting movements from any Galliard or
  • Cleveland Institute of Music: Bachelor of Music
    • Trombone and Bass Trombone: Audition Requirements Undergraduate Tenor and Bass Trombone : One major and one minor scale (two octaves) and arpeggios Two contrasting technical studies, lyrical and technical, from Blazhevich or Bordogni, or the equivalent One solo selected by the student; for example: David's Concerto or Saint-Saëns' Cavatine (tenor trombone) Lebedev's Concerto in One Movement or Bozza's New Orleans (bass trombone) Four contrasting orchestral excerpts for tenor trombone, such as: Mozart's tuba mirum from Requiem Strauss' Till Eulenspiegel Hindemith's Symphonic Metamorphosis Wagner's Lohengrin Wagner's Ride of the Valkyrie Mahler's Symphony No. 3 Berlioz's Hungarian March Four contrasting orchestra excerpts for bass trombone such as: Haydn's The Creation Wagner's Ride of the Valkyrie Brahms' Chorale from Brahms 1 Strauss' Till Eulenspiegel Bach's Sarabande from the 5th Cello Suite Berlioz's Hungarian March Sight-reading (not required on recorded auditions) Graduate Tenor and Bass Trombone: Two contrasting technical studies, lyrical and technical, from Bitsch, Masson, Bozza, Bordogni, Blazevich, or the equivalent One solo selected by the student, demonstrating advanced musicality and technique Four contrasting orchestral excerpts for tenor trombone such as: Ravel's Boléro Mahler's Symphony No. 3 Wagner's Ride of the Valkyrie Rossini's William Tell or La Gazza Ladra Strauss' Till Eulenspiegel Bruckner's Symphony No. 7 Saint-Saëns' Symphony No. 3 Four contrasting standard orchestral excerpts for bass trombone such as: Bach's Sarabande from 5th Suite Bruckner's Symphony No. 7 Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 Berlioz's Hungarian March Kodály's Háry János Rossini's William Tell or La Gazza Ladra Sight-reading (not required on recorded auditions)
  • Cleveland Institute of Music: Master of Music
    • Trombone and Bass Trombone: Audition Requirements Undergraduate Tenor and Bass Trombone : One major and one minor scale (two octaves) and arpeggios Two contrasting technical studies, lyrical and technical, from Blazhevich or Bordogni, or the equivalent One solo selected by the student; for example: David's Concerto or Saint-Saëns' Cavatine (tenor trombone) Lebedev's Concerto in One Movement or Bozza's New Orleans (bass trombone) Four contrasting orchestral excerpts for tenor trombone, such as: Mozart's tuba mirum from Requiem Strauss' Till Eulenspiegel Hindemith's Symphonic Metamorphosis Wagner's Lohengrin Wagner's Ride of the Valkyrie Mahler's Symphony No. 3 Berlioz's Hungarian March Four contrasting orchestra excerpts for bass trombone such as: Haydn's The Creation Wagner's Ride of the Valkyrie Brahms' Chorale from Brahms 1 Strauss' Till Eulenspiegel Bach's Sarabande from the 5th Cello Suite Berlioz's Hungarian March Sight-reading (not required on recorded auditions) Graduate Tenor and Bass Trombone: Two contrasting technical studies, lyrical and technical, from Bitsch, Masson, Bozza, Bordogni, Blazevich, or the equivalent One solo selected by the student, demonstrating advanced musicality and technique Four contrasting orchestral excerpts for tenor trombone such as: Ravel's Boléro Mahler's Symphony No. 3 Wagner's Ride of the Valkyrie Rossini's William Tell or La Gazza Ladra Strauss' Till Eulenspiegel Bruckner's Symphony No. 7 Saint-Saëns' Symphony No. 3 Four contrasting standard orchestral excerpts for bass trombone such as: Bach's Sarabande from 5th Suite Bruckner's Symphony No. 7 Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 Berlioz's Hungarian March Kodály's Háry János Rossini's William Tell or La Gazza Ladra Sight-reading (not required on recorded auditions)
  • Cleveland Institute of Music: Graduate Diploma
    • Trombone and Bass Trombone: Audition Requirements Undergraduate Tenor and Bass Trombone : One major and one minor scale (two octaves) and arpeggios Two contrasting technical studies, lyrical and technical, from Blazhevich or Bordogni, or the equivalent One solo selected by the student; for example: David's Concerto or Saint-Saëns' Cavatine (tenor trombone) Lebedev's Concerto in One Movement or Bozza's New Orleans (bass trombone) Four contrasting orchestral excerpts for tenor trombone, such as: Mozart's tuba mirum from Requiem Strauss' Till Eulenspiegel Hindemith's Symphonic Metamorphosis Wagner's Lohengrin Wagner's Ride of the Valkyrie Mahler's Symphony No. 3 Berlioz's Hungarian March Four contrasting orchestra excerpts for bass trombone such as: Haydn's The Creation Wagner's Ride of the Valkyrie Brahms' Chorale from Brahms 1 Strauss' Till Eulenspiegel Bach's Sarabande from the 5th Cello Suite Berlioz's Hungarian March Sight-reading (not required on recorded auditions) Graduate Tenor and Bass Trombone: Two contrasting technical studies, lyrical and technical, from Bitsch, Masson, Bozza, Bordogni, Blazevich, or the equivalent One solo selected by the student, demonstrating advanced musicality and technique Four contrasting orchestral excerpts for tenor trombone such as: Ravel's Boléro Mahler's Symphony No. 3 Wagner's Ride of the Valkyrie Rossini's William Tell or La Gazza Ladra Strauss' Till Eulenspiegel Bruckner's Symphony No. 7 Saint-Saëns' Symphony No. 3 Four contrasting standard orchestral excerpts for bass trombone such as: Bach's Sarabande from 5th Suite Bruckner's Symphony No. 7 Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 Berlioz's Hungarian March Kodály's Háry János Rossini's William Tell or La Gazza Ladra Sight-reading (not required on recorded auditions)
  • Cleveland Institute of Music: Artist Diploma
    • Trombone and Bass Trombone: Audition Requirements Undergraduate Tenor and Bass Trombone : One major and one minor scale (two octaves) and arpeggios Two contrasting technical studies, lyrical and technical, from Blazhevich or Bordogni, or the equivalent One solo selected by the student; for example: David's Concerto or Saint-Saëns' Cavatine (tenor trombone) Lebedev's Concerto in One Movement or Bozza's New Orleans (bass trombone) Four contrasting orchestral excerpts for tenor trombone, such as: Mozart's tuba mirum from Requiem Strauss' Till Eulenspiegel Hindemith's Symphonic Metamorphosis Wagner's Lohengrin Wagner's Ride of the Valkyrie Mahler's Symphony No. 3 Berlioz's Hungarian March Four contrasting orchestra excerpts for bass trombone such as: Haydn's The Creation Wagner's Ride of the Valkyrie Brahms' Chorale from Brahms 1 Strauss' Till Eulenspiegel Bach's Sarabande from the 5th Cello Suite Berlioz's Hungarian March Sight-reading (not required on recorded auditions) Graduate Tenor and Bass Trombone: Two contrasting technical studies, lyrical and technical, from Bitsch, Masson, Bozza, Bordogni, Blazevich, or the equivalent One solo selected by the student, demonstrating advanced musicality and technique Four contrasting orchestral excerpts for tenor trombone such as: Ravel's Boléro Mahler's Symphony No. 3 Wagner's Ride of the Valkyrie Rossini's William Tell or La Gazza Ladra Strauss' Till Eulenspiegel Bruckner's Symphony No. 7 Saint-Saëns' Symphony No. 3 Four contrasting standard orchestral excerpts for bass trombone such as: Bach's Sarabande from 5th Suite Bruckner's Symphony No. 7 Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 Berlioz's Hungarian March Kodály's Háry János Rossini's William Tell or La Gazza Ladra Sight-reading (not required on recorded auditions)
  • Cleveland Institute of Music: Artist Certificate
    • Trombone and Bass Trombone: Audition Requirements Undergraduate Tenor and Bass Trombone : One major and one minor scale (two octaves) and arpeggios Two contrasting technical studies, lyrical and technical, from Blazhevich or Bordogni, or the equivalent One solo selected by the student; for example: David's Concerto or Saint-Saëns' Cavatine (tenor trombone) Lebedev's Concerto in One Movement or Bozza's New Orleans (bass trombone) Four contrasting orchestral excerpts for tenor trombone, such as: Mozart's tuba mirum from Requiem Strauss' Till Eulenspiegel Hindemith's Symphonic Metamorphosis Wagner's Lohengrin Wagner's Ride of the Valkyrie Mahler's Symphony No. 3 Berlioz's Hungarian March Four contrasting orchestra excerpts for bass trombone such as: Haydn's The Creation Wagner's Ride of the Valkyrie Brahms' Chorale from Brahms 1 Strauss' Till Eulenspiegel Bach's Sarabande from the 5th Cello Suite Berlioz's Hungarian March Sight-reading (not required on recorded auditions) Graduate Tenor and Bass Trombone: Two contrasting technical studies, lyrical and technical, from Bitsch, Masson, Bozza, Bordogni, Blazevich, or the equivalent One solo selected by the student, demonstrating advanced musicality and technique Four contrasting orchestral excerpts for tenor trombone such as: Ravel's Boléro Mahler's Symphony No. 3 Wagner's Ride of the Valkyrie Rossini's William Tell or La Gazza Ladra Strauss' Till Eulenspiegel Bruckner's Symphony No. 7 Saint-Saëns' Symphony No. 3 Four contrasting standard orchestral excerpts for bass trombone such as: Bach's Sarabande from 5th Suite Bruckner's Symphony No. 7 Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 Berlioz's Hungarian March Kodály's Háry János Rossini's William Tell or La Gazza Ladra Sight-reading (not required on recorded auditions)
  • Cleveland Institute of Music: Doctor of Musical Arts
    • Trombone and Bass Trombone: Audition Requirements Undergraduate Tenor and Bass Trombone : One major and one minor scale (two octaves) and arpeggios Two contrasting technical studies, lyrical and technical, from Blazhevich or Bordogni, or the equivalent One solo selected by the student; for example: David's Concerto or Saint-Saëns' Cavatine (tenor trombone) Lebedev's Concerto in One Movement or Bozza's New Orleans (bass trombone) Four contrasting orchestral excerpts for tenor trombone, such as: Mozart's tuba mirum from Requiem Strauss' Till Eulenspiegel Hindemith's Symphonic Metamorphosis Wagner's Lohengrin Wagner's Ride of the Valkyrie Mahler's Symphony No. 3 Berlioz's Hungarian March Four contrasting orchestra excerpts for bass trombone such as: Haydn's The Creation Wagner's Ride of the Valkyrie Brahms' Chorale from Brahms 1 Strauss' Till Eulenspiegel Bach's Sarabande from the 5th Cello Suite Berlioz's Hungarian March Sight-reading (not required on recorded auditions) Graduate Tenor and Bass Trombone: Two contrasting technical studies, lyrical and technical, from Bitsch, Masson, Bozza, Bordogni, Blazevich, or the equivalent One solo selected by the student, demonstrating advanced musicality and technique Four contrasting orchestral excerpts for tenor trombone such as: Ravel's Boléro Mahler's Symphony No. 3 Wagner's Ride of the Valkyrie Rossini's William Tell or La Gazza Ladra Strauss' Till Eulenspiegel Bruckner's Symphony No. 7 Saint-Saëns' Symphony No. 3 Four contrasting standard orchestral excerpts for bass trombone such as: Bach's Sarabande from 5th Suite Bruckner's Symphony No. 7 Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 Berlioz's Hungarian March Kodály's Háry János Rossini's William Tell or La Gazza Ladra Sight-reading (not required on recorded auditions)
  • DePaul University: Master of Music
    • ​​ ​We encourage all applicants to audition in person if possible. Register for a live audition by January 15. | Graduate Tenor Trombone Audition Repertoire | Romantic Solo (choose one of the following or a comparable piece): Tomasi Concerto, Martin Ballade, Creston Fantasy, Casterede Sonatine. | Baroque Solo (choose one of the following or a comparable piece): two contrasting movements from the Galliard Sonata, Marcello Sonata, Handel Concerto in f minor, Pergolesi Sinfonia, Albinoni Concerto in Bb, Albrechtsberger Concerto. | Orchestral Excerpts (prepare all): Ravel Bolero , Wagner Ride of the Valkyries (B Major section only), Rossini William Tell Overture , Saint-Saens Symphony No. 3 , Mahler Symphony No. 3 (1st loud solo only), Mozart Tuba Mirum . | Graduate Bass Trombone Audition Repertoire | Romantic Solo: first page from Spillman Bass Trombone Concerto and one other romantic concerto of your choice.​ | Orchestral excerpts (prepare all): ​​Verdi Falstaff (trombone basso - Act 3, first 5 measures of rehearsal 7 and rehearsal 14-15) | Wagner Das Rheingold (trombone 4 - entire last page: final soft chorale and final "entrance of the gods" excerpt) | Wagner Ride of the Valkyries
  • Northwestern University: Bachelor of Music
    • Audition dates: | Early Decision: November 9 | Regular Decision: February 6 & 13 | For Prescreening and Final Audition: | All repertoire required. No substitutions. | Solo Selection: Saint-Saëns, Cavatine, Op.144 | Orchestral Excerpts: | Berlioz, The Damnation of Faust “Hungarian March” (second trombone) | Mozart, Requiem “Tuba Mirum” (second trombone) | Ravel, Boléro | Saint-Saëns, Symphony No. 3 in C minor, slow movement | Wagner, Die Walküre “Ride of the Valkyries,” B-Major section
  • Northwestern University: Master of Music
    • Audition dates: | February 6 & 13 | For Prescreening and Final Audition: | All repertoire required. No substitutions. | Solo Selection: Martin, Ballade | Orchestral Excerpts: | Berlioz, The Damnation of Faust “Hungarian March” (second trombone) | Mozart, Requiem “Tuba Mirum” | Ravel, Boléro | Saint-Saëns, Symphony No. 3 | Schumann, Symphony No. 3, fourth movement | Wagner, Die Walküre “Ride of the Valkyries,” B Maj. section | Strauss, Also sprach Zarathustra | Rossini, Overture to William Tell

About trombone study

The trombone changes pitch with a slide rather than valves, which means the player must place each note by ear and by arm position. Degree-level training concentrates on slide technique, legato tonguing, breath support, tone quality and range, and teachers often use vocal models and singing to develop phrasing. The instrument has tenor, bass and sometimes alto forms, and orchestral students typically learn to read alto, tenor and bass clefs.

Trombonists work in orchestras, wind ensembles, brass ensembles and jazz bands, and the solo repertoire includes concertos, sonatas and a considerable contemporary literature. Orchestral excerpts are a major focus for players aiming at section positions, and trombone choirs are a common form of ensemble. Jazz trombone has a strong tradition of its own, with improvisation and big band section playing taught in many departments.

Typical degree contexts include the Bachelor of Music in trombone performance, the Master of Music, and practice doctorates such as the Doctor of Musical Arts. Trombone also features in jazz studies, in music education programs and in commercial or studio playing. Programs vary in how they combine classical and jazz training, so applicants should compare faculty profiles and ensembles.

What study typically involves

  • Trombone slide technique, legato and tone production
  • Solo repertoire, concertos and sonatas
  • Orchestral excerpts and section playing
  • Trombone choir and brass chamber music
  • Bass trombone, alto trombone or historical sackbut in some programs
  • Jazz improvisation and big band playing in some programs
  • Clef reading, sight-reading, ear training and theory
  • Pedagogy and mute techniques

Award titles. Trombone study can lead to a Bachelor of Music or BMus and a Master of Music or MMus, with jazz-oriented study sometimes under a jazz-specific degree title. Some conservatories award an Artist Diploma or a graduate or postgraduate diploma to advanced players, which are diploma-level awards and not master's degrees. The Doctor of Musical Arts is a practice doctorate. Names differ by country and no equivalence claims are made here.

This directory lists a program under trombone only when its official page names the instrument in the title, as a major, or as a formal principal-study option. A private teacher or a faculty trombonist does not count. Not every school offers trombone as a degree specialization, and classical and jazz routes may be separate.

Auditions and admissions guidance

General orientation only. Each program publishes its own repertoire, format and deadlines; this directory cannot guarantee acceptance.

Trombone auditions are usually live, with some programs using a recorded prescreening. Applicants commonly play contrasting works, scales and an etude, and graduate applicants may add orchestral excerpts. Panels listen for tone, slide accuracy, smooth legato and musicianship, and may ask for evidence of clef fluency.

An accompanist is often expected for concerto and sonata movements, with provision varying by school. Sight-reading, theory and aural tests are common, and jazz-oriented auditions may include improvisation and big band reading.

Each program publishes its own repertoire categories and format, and they change by year. Check the current-year requirements for every school. Nothing here guarantees admission.

See also preparing for auditions and prescreening vs final auditions.

Costs and funding

Trombonists are needed in bands, orchestras, jazz groups and brass ensembles, and programs may offer scholarships linked to those needs. Graduate students might be considered for assistantships such as coaching trombone choir, leading sectionals or teaching non-majors.

Funding varies by school, country and year, and many students receive partial support or none. Ask each department what is available.

Costs beyond tuition. Trombonists may pay for a tenor trombone, and a bass or alto trombone if required, plus mouthpieces, mutes, slide lubricant, cases and servicing. Accompanist fees, audition travel and recordings for audition videos are other possibilities.