Brass

UGA Brass Area

The Hugh Hodgson School of Music’s brass department features internationally recognized faculty.

Brass students from around the world come to study with our renowned faculty, having numerous opportunities to play in various ensembles within the School of Music. Students have opportunities to play in large ensembles such as the band, orchestra, and jazz band, and also have chamber opportunities including various small instrumental ensembles. The fully funded graduate brass quintet, the Bulldog Brass Society, is active both around campus and the community. Weekly masterclasses provide the students with ample opportunities to perform, visiting guest artists provide inspiration, and a newly formed brass band create boundless opportunities for the motivated student.

The brass area pride ourselves on giving individual attention to every student.  All music majors study with their major professor rather than a teaching assistant, and studio trips to various festivals and competitions are commonplace amongst our studios. Please feel free to contact any of our brass faculty for further information about UGA, and we hope to see you in Athens in the future!

Personnel

Joshua Bynum

Professor of Trombone

The UGA Trombone Choir provides a musical outlet for studio members and non-majors alike.  Directed by Dr. Josh Bynum, this group meets twice each week, and features a variety of musical styles and creative opportunities for the students (including conducting, arranging, and soloing).  Repertoire for the Trombone Choir ranges from…

Brandon Craswell

Professor of Trumpet

Adept at both classical and jazz, Craswell spent a year playing trumpet on the North American tour of the Broadway musical 42nd St. An International Trumpet Guild prize winner, Craswell has been a featured soloist at numerous international festivals, including the Aspen Music Festival, the International Trumpet Guild Conference, and the…

Jean Martin-Williams

Professor of Horn, Horn

As a soloist, chamber musician, and lecturer, Dr. Martin-Williams has appeared at the Georgia Music Educators conference, the Southeast Horn Workshop, the International Horn Society conference, the International Trumpet Conference, the International Double Reed Society, Music Educators National Conference, International Society of Music…

James Naigus

Assistant Professor of Horn, Brass Area Chair

Dr. James Naigus is Assistant Professor of Horn at the University of Georgia and hornist with the Georgia Brass Quintet. He is co-founder of the Cor Moto Horn Duo with Dr. Drew Phillips, and co-editor/contributor of the Creative Hornist and Technique Tips columns in the Horn Call, the journal of the International Horn Society.

Matthew Shipes

Assistant Professor of Tuba and Euphonium

Dr. Matthew Shipes is the Assistant Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at The University of Georgia and tubist with the Georgia Brass Quintet. A dedicated advocate of tuba and euphonium performance and pedagogy, Matt works in several roles with the International Tuba Euphonium Association (ITEA). He both writes and edits articles as an associate…

Philip Smith

William F. and Pamela P. Prokasy Professor in the Arts, Trumpet

An avid brass band enthusiast, Mr. Smith has been guest soloist with the United States Army Brass Band, and the contesting bands of Goteborg Brass (Sweden), Black Dyke and GUS Rigid Containers Band (Britain).  In Canada, he has been guest soloist with Hannaford Street Silver Band and Intrada Brass Band.  In the USA, he has…

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