University of Central Arkansas: Bass Trombone GA Opening
- trombullion
- Posts: 109
- Joined: Nov 06, 2018
Hi folks,
The University of Central Arkansas, located in Conway, has an immediate opening for a M.M. or Graduate Certificate student in bass trombone.
Financial perks include substantial scholarship offering for strong players, the possibility of an assistantship with the Sound Engineering and Recording program, as well as guaranteed (but optional) employment through our front office or as a stagehand/stage manager, both at $10/hour. Students from all states that share a border with Arkansas will receive in-state tuition, which can compound with the above offers. There is a strong chance that a student with a strong audition could have their M.M. completely funded, or very very close to fully funded. I am told by my chair that our new scholarship allotment could see that the very strongest players could have the entirety of their tuition covered by music scholarship alone.
Career perks include substantial experience in recording software, stage management, music admin work, as well as freelance opportunities in Little Rock. I'm currently at my limit in regards to students, so any high school students may be referred to an incoming M.M. that shows interest and pedagogical development. All M.M. students study with me for their one hour weekly lessons. In addition to this lesson, students also receive a second 30-minute lesson exclusively dedicated to the development of their own teaching, largely through lesson video reviews. Additionally, my M.M. students take on any secondary lessons here at UCA as their instructor of record, meaning you would leave the program with some university teaching experience on your resume. M.M. students also regularly present in our weekly studio masterclass, teach all students in the professors absence, and direct a work (or more) on the BearBones trombone choir concerts after their first semester of study. Lastly, our annual Low Brass Workshop features nationally acclaimed guest artists (such as Jim Nova, James Markey, Brittany Lasch, Graham Mynatt, and this year is Hillary Simms!), and our M.M. students typically run a masterclass for local high school students during this time. If you're serious about learning to teach, I'm serious about teaching you how to. We'll make sure that happens by giving you plenty of flight time.
Playing opportunities include the Conway Symphony, two jazz bands, 3 concert bands, chamber music (brass quintets, trombone quartets), UCA Natural Slides (who recently performed at ITF), UCA BearBones (our mass+community choir, 24-34 members), our newly formed Natural 9s Jazz Trombone Choir (5 bones + rhythm), and jazz combo (with more in the works). Locally, there are venues that regularly host student ensembles, and there is freelance opportunity in Memphis, TN (2 hours east) and in Little Rock (30 minutes out) for the self-motivated and industrial student.
If you have interest in our program, feel free to follow our Facebook (University of Central Arkansas Trombone Studio), our Instagram (@UCAbearbones), or reach out to me directly at <EMAIL email="tbullion@uca.edu">tbullion@uca.edu</EMAIL>.
Thanks y'all,
Tylar Bullion
The University of Central Arkansas, located in Conway, has an immediate opening for a M.M. or Graduate Certificate student in bass trombone.
Financial perks include substantial scholarship offering for strong players, the possibility of an assistantship with the Sound Engineering and Recording program, as well as guaranteed (but optional) employment through our front office or as a stagehand/stage manager, both at $10/hour. Students from all states that share a border with Arkansas will receive in-state tuition, which can compound with the above offers. There is a strong chance that a student with a strong audition could have their M.M. completely funded, or very very close to fully funded. I am told by my chair that our new scholarship allotment could see that the very strongest players could have the entirety of their tuition covered by music scholarship alone.
Career perks include substantial experience in recording software, stage management, music admin work, as well as freelance opportunities in Little Rock. I'm currently at my limit in regards to students, so any high school students may be referred to an incoming M.M. that shows interest and pedagogical development. All M.M. students study with me for their one hour weekly lessons. In addition to this lesson, students also receive a second 30-minute lesson exclusively dedicated to the development of their own teaching, largely through lesson video reviews. Additionally, my M.M. students take on any secondary lessons here at UCA as their instructor of record, meaning you would leave the program with some university teaching experience on your resume. M.M. students also regularly present in our weekly studio masterclass, teach all students in the professors absence, and direct a work (or more) on the BearBones trombone choir concerts after their first semester of study. Lastly, our annual Low Brass Workshop features nationally acclaimed guest artists (such as Jim Nova, James Markey, Brittany Lasch, Graham Mynatt, and this year is Hillary Simms!), and our M.M. students typically run a masterclass for local high school students during this time. If you're serious about learning to teach, I'm serious about teaching you how to. We'll make sure that happens by giving you plenty of flight time.
Playing opportunities include the Conway Symphony, two jazz bands, 3 concert bands, chamber music (brass quintets, trombone quartets), UCA Natural Slides (who recently performed at ITF), UCA BearBones (our mass+community choir, 24-34 members), our newly formed Natural 9s Jazz Trombone Choir (5 bones + rhythm), and jazz combo (with more in the works). Locally, there are venues that regularly host student ensembles, and there is freelance opportunity in Memphis, TN (2 hours east) and in Little Rock (30 minutes out) for the self-motivated and industrial student.
If you have interest in our program, feel free to follow our Facebook (University of Central Arkansas Trombone Studio), our Instagram (@UCAbearbones), or reach out to me directly at <EMAIL email="tbullion@uca.edu">tbullion@uca.edu</EMAIL>.
Thanks y'all,
Tylar Bullion
- bubblelord
- Posts: 77
- Joined: Nov 23, 2019
Guaranteed employment at 10 dollars an hour? As a graduate student? Even for unskilled labor that hardly sounds like a perk. And it's even below the already pitifully kow minimum wage in the state, which has been 11 since 2021.
- trombullion
- Posts: 109
- Joined: Nov 06, 2018
Hi Jack,
Agreed on the wage. Wish it were higher, but that’s a decision well above my pay grade. The guarantee part is definitely a perk to some, particularly to those coming from low-income families (like myself). Additionally, the ability to set your own work hours around your current student/teaching/gigging schedule can be advantageous for some. That being said, the real pull here is the teaching experience + possibility of full tuition, in addition to any stipends attached to other assistantships.
If you’re outraged about the wage, a letter to government officials will do more than a note to the trombone professor!
Agreed on the wage. Wish it were higher, but that’s a decision well above my pay grade. The guarantee part is definitely a perk to some, particularly to those coming from low-income families (like myself). Additionally, the ability to set your own work hours around your current student/teaching/gigging schedule can be advantageous for some. That being said, the real pull here is the teaching experience + possibility of full tuition, in addition to any stipends attached to other assistantships.
If you’re outraged about the wage, a letter to government officials will do more than a note to the trombone professor!
- bubblelord
- Posts: 77
- Joined: Nov 23, 2019
Hey, I agree. Apologies for my initial reaction. My issue certainly is not with you as I'm sure you would love the wage to be more appropriate, and all in all it still sounds like a great opportunity.