International Trombone Association

The International Trombone Association (ITA) is an international nonprofit membership organization serving trombonists and the wider trombone community. Established in 1972, it developed as a professional, educational, and cultural network intended to connect performers, teachers, students, composers, researchers, and enthusiasts across national borders. The association is described as having approximately 4,000 members in 74 countries, making it one of the largest organizations devoted specifically to the trombone. ITA's work combines publishing, events, competitions, commissioning, awards, membership assistance, and advocacy for the instrument. Its quarterly ITA Journal is a central communication and editorial platform, carrying material relevant to trombone performance, pedagogy, repertoire, instruments, history, and the international community. The association also operates the ITA website as a continuing source of organizational information and trombone-related resources. The association's most prominent recurring event is the International Trombone Festival, described as the world's largest trombone festival. The festival provides a setting for concerts, masterclasses, lectures, demonstrations, competitions, and professional interaction. In addition to the festival, ITA organizes Solo and Ensemble Competitions and a Composition Contest, giving performers and composers structured opportunities for recognition and development. ITA also contributes to the expansion of trombone repertoire. Through ITA Press it publishes trombone sheet music, and it commissions new works from eminent composers. These activities help preserve established repertoire while encouraging the creation and circulation of new music for different trombone settings. The association's award programs, including the ITA Award and the Neill Humfeld Award, recognize notable contributions to trombone performance, teaching, scholarship, or service. Beyond its formal programs, ITA promotes public awareness of the instrument through International Trombone Week, an annual initiative focused on celebrating and presenting the trombone. It also operates the Assist an International Member sponsorship program, which helps extend participation to members who may face financial or geographic barriers. Overall, ITA functions less as a commercial consumer brand than as a specialist international institution: its identity is built around community, education, performance, repertoire development, professional recognition, and global access to trombone activities.

The International Trombone Association was formed in 1972 as an international organization for people involved with the trombone. From its beginning, the association's purpose was broader than simply representing professional performers. It created a shared institutional framework for performers, teachers, students, composers, scholars, and other members of the trombone community, allowing them to exchange information and support the instrument's development across national boundaries. Over time, ITA established a collection of recurring programs that became the foundation of its identity. Its quarterly ITA Journal provided a regular publication channel for news, commentary, educational material, performance-related writing, and information about the instrument's repertoire and community. The organization also developed the International Trombone Festival, which became its most visible public event and is recognized as the world's largest festival devoted to the trombone. The festival brings together international artists and participants through performances, instruction, presentations, and other professional and educational activities. Competition and repertoire development became additional pillars of the association's work. ITA organized Solo and Ensemble Competitions for performers and a Composition Contest for composers. Through ITA Press, it published trombone sheet music, while its commissioning activity encouraged eminent composers to create new music for the instrument. These efforts supported both the preservation of established trombone literature and the expansion of the contemporary repertoire. The association also created recognition programs, including the ITA Award and the Neill Humfeld Award. These awards provide a way to honor significant contributions connected with trombone performance, teaching, scholarship, or service. Its membership-support activities include Assist an International Member, a sponsorship program intended to help individuals participate in the association despite financial or geographic limitations. Public outreach is represented particularly by International Trombone Week, an annual observance used to promote the instrument and encourage activities centered on trombone performance and education. Alongside its events, publishing, competitions, and assistance programs, ITA maintains an online presence through its website. The organization is a registered nonprofit and has grown into a worldwide network reported at approximately 4,000 members in 74 countries. Its leadership has rotated among prominent figures in the trombone field, with presidents serving fixed terms and guiding the association's activities across successive periods.

• 2023

  Carol Jarvis begins presidential term

  [1]International Trombone Associationen.wikipedia.org

  Carol Jarvis began the listed 2023–2026 presidential term.

• 2014

  Joseph Alessi becomes president

  [1]International Trombone Associationen.wikipedia.org

  Joseph Alessi began a presidential term that ran from 2014 through 2017.

• 1972

  Association founded

  [1]International Trombone Associationen.wikipedia.org

  The International Trombone Association was established as an international nonprofit membership organization for the trombone community.

• 1972

  Tom Everett begins first presidential term

  [1]International Trombone Associationen.wikipedia.org

  Tom Everett became the association's first listed president, serving from 1972 to 1976.

A global nonprofit association dedicated to advancing the trombone through professional networking, performance, education, publishing, repertoire development, competitions, awards, and public outreach.

• Publication

  ITA Journal

  A quarterly publication serving the association's international community. It provides a recurring platform for trombone-related information, including performance, education, repertoire, professional activity, and organizational news.

• Sheet music publishing

  ITA Press

  The association's publishing activity for trombone sheet music. ITA Press supports the distribution of repertoire and complements the organization's broader role in encouraging and commissioning new music for the instrument.

• Music festival

  International Trombone Festival

  ITA's annual flagship festival and a major international gathering for trombonists. It presents performances and educational or professional activities and is described as the world's largest trombone festival.

• Music competition

  ITA Solo and Ensemble Competitions

  Performance competitions organized by ITA for soloists and ensembles. They provide structured opportunities for trombonists to present their work and receive recognition within the association's international community.

• Composition competition

  ITA Composition Contest

  A competition supporting composers who create music for the trombone. It forms part of ITA's effort to expand contemporary repertoire alongside its direct commissioning and publishing activities.

• International Trombone Week

  International

  An annual public-outreach initiative promoting the trombone through performances, educational activities, and community participation.

  Outcome. It supports broader awareness of the instrument and encourages trombone-centered activity beyond the association's membership programs.

  Source
• Assist an International Member

  International

  A membership sponsorship program designed to help international participants access ITA membership and its activities.

  Outcome. The program reduces participation barriers for members who may lack sufficient financial or geographic access.

  Source

1. 1International Trombone Associationen.wikipedia.org
2. 2International Trombone Association official websitetrombone.net
3. 3International Trombone Association Records, Columbus State University Archivesarchives.columbusstate.edu