• Freshman to represent Baylor at international trombone festival this summer in Paris

    Stephen FarrellThe Gilberto Gagliardi Trombone Competition is a highly specialized contest, aimed at finding the best tenor trombonists in the country age 18 and under. Three national finalists have been selected for 2012 — and one of them is a Baylor Bear.

    That one is Stephen Farrell (pictured), a junior in Baylor’s School of Music from Niceville, Fla. Farrell will compete for world honors this July at the International Trombone Festival in Paris.

    Three other Bears nearly matched Farrell in making it to the international competition. Sophomore Ben Holmes earned honorable mention in the Gagliardi Trombone Competition, giving Baylor two of the top eight tenor trombonists under 19 in the nation.

    Sophomore John Romero was named first alternate for the Larry Wiehe Trombone Competition (for tenor trombonists 23 and under), and junior Christian Paarup earned honorable mention in the Lewis Van Haney Philharmonic Prize Tenor Trombone Competition (for tenor trombonists 25 and under). All four are taught by Professor Brent Phillips at Baylor.

    Sic ’em, Baylor trombonists!