For our final episode of season 3, we are bringing you an interview with Dr. Martin McCain, Artist/Teacher of Trombone at Texas State University. Dr. McCain is an incredibly accomplished soloist performing recitals frequently with his wife as the McCain Duo. He lives as a versatile performer being a recording artist, chamber, orchestral, jazz/commercial musician and educator. He is a four-time winner of the Global Music Awards and is the master of all grills/smokers when it comes to barbecue, especially in the trombone world! We discuss his early life and collegiate life heavily to find out what inspired and educated Dr. McCain to get him to where he is today.  -- Intro Music: Pure Imagination, Arr. Marcus Wilcher, McCain Duo Outro Music: Prelude in Eb Minor, Shostakovich Arr. Robert H. Reynolds, Schwob Wind Ensemble Instagram: @8thposition @dabaldwin903 @lawson.gardner.music

This week we’re bringing you an interview with Dr. Justin Cook, Assistant Professor of Trombone at the University of Central Arkansas. Dr. Cook is an accomplished soloist and freelance artist, playing recitals and subbing in orchestras all over the country. Also a brilliant pedagogue, Dr. Cook has taught many masterclasses at universities and festivals in the US and abroad, and has tripled the size of the UCA trombone studio since his arrival. We talked at length in this interview about his experience hosting the 2022 International Trombone Festival, as well as how to help cultivate a positive studio culture and set students up for success.  -- Transition Music: Florida Concerto: I. Vivace, Frigyes Hidas, Justin Cook Intro music: I Will Go Sailing No More, Randy Newman, Vanderbilt Trombone Quartet Instagram: @8thposition @dabaldwin903 @lawson.gardner.music

This week we interviewed Alexis Smith, product specialist for SE Shires and principal trombonist of the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra. One of the most recognizable faces in the trombone community, Alexis has fitted countless musicians for their custom Shires instruments. We had the pleasure of asking her about his history and work at the SE Shires company, as well as hearing some various other highlights from her collegiate and professional careers. -- Transition music: Quintet, Michael Kamen, Seraph Brass Intro/Outro music: I Will Go Sailing No More, Randy Newman, Vanderbilt Trombone Quartet Instagram: @8thposition @dabaldwin903 @lawson.gardner.music

For episode 2 of our third season, we’re bringing you a fantastic interview with Sean Reusch, trombonist and educator in the greater San Diego area. Mr. Reusch is a current member of the Nittany Trombone Quartet, has an extensive private teaching studio in Southern California, and is the founder and curator of Trombone101.com. He’s also written several books on low brass pedagogy, including Trombone and Euphonium Essentials. In this interview, we discussed the way his bachelor’s degree in psychology influences his teaching philosophy, what to consider when approaching younger students, and the resources offered on Trombone 101.  -- Transition music: Lullabye, Billy Joel, Sean Reusch and Scott Sutherland Intro/Outro music: I Will Go Sailing No More, Randy Newman, Vanderbilt Trombone Quartet Instagram: @8thposition @dabaldwin903 @lawson.gardner.music

Kicking off the third season of 8th Position with an interview with John Fedchock, Grammy-nominated composer and arranger and former lead trombonist and chief arranger of the Woody Herman Orchestra. This world-class jazz trombone soloist took us through his illustrious four-decade career and outlined some of his most notable experiences, including his time touring and recording with Woody Herman, the genesis of his New York Big Band project, and his personal friendship with the great Carl Fontana. -- Transition music: My Shining Hour, Harold Arlen, John Fedchock & Carl Fontana Intro/Outro music: I Will Go Sailing No More, Randy Newman, Vanderbilt Trombone Quartet Instagram: @8thposition @dabaldwin903 @lawson.gardner.music

Wrapping up Season 2 with an interview with Mr. James Nova, second trombonist of the Pittsburgh Symphony. As one of the fiercest and most technically gifted orchestral trombonists currently in the talent pool, Nova has gained much notoriety as a player, but also as a prolific arranger and home recording artist. He sets himself apart from the norm by playing many different types of trombone at a very high level and finding his own unique voice in the trombone choir world, challenging the classical status quo and carving out his own niche in the community. We talked at length with him exploring different stories from his career, discussing how he got into arranging and overdubbing, and what it means to be a truly great orchestral 2nd trombonist. -- Transition music: Imperial March (Darth Vader’s Theme), John Williams, James Nova Intro/Outro music: I Will Go Sailing No More, Randy Newman, Lawson Gardner Instagram: @8thposition @dabaldwin903 @lawson.gardner2

This week on the podcast we welcome Mrs. Jennifer Wharton, NYC commercial bass trombonist and bandleader of Bonegasm. Jen has been a prominent name on the Broadway scene for several decades and has strong roots in the classical tradition despite her current jazz-centric endeavors. As an incredibly well-rounded musician and outgoing person, Jen is hard not to love as a person and a player all around. We had a fun time talking with her about her move to New York and her freelancing beginnings, the formation of her group Bonegasm, her experiences playing on Broadway. -- Transition music: Tricotism, Oscar Pettiford, Jennifer Wharton & Bonegasm Intro/Outro music: I Will Go Sailing No More, Randy Newman, Lawson Gardner Instagram: @8thposition @dabaldwin903 @lawson.gardner2

This week on the podcast we interview Mr. Austin Pancner, CEO and founder of The Functional Musician and bass trombonist for The Orchestra Now. Austin is one of the most prominent and pioneering musician injury coaches on the scene right now, and is consistently breaking new ground with his injury prevention and recovery methods. While he is a trombonist, his philosophies and insights are applicable to all instruments, and even other disciplines. With a strong focus on a holistic approach to personal health and wellness as it relates to your instrument, he walks us through his “Four Pillars to Performing Without Pain” and offers advice and resources to those in different stages of an injury cycle. -- Transition music: Pines of Rome, Ottorino Respighi, Alan Gilbert & New York Philharmonic Intro/Outro music: I Will Go Sailing No More, Randy Newman, Lawson Gardner Instagram: @8thposition @dabaldwin903 @lawson.gardner2

This week on the podcast we interview Dr. Bradley Palmer, professor of trombone at Columbus State University and principal trombone of the LaGrange Symphony. Dr. Palmer's impact on the world of trombone pedagogy and low brass music cannot be understated. As the commissioner of many new works for trombone ensemble, a prominent recording engineer for solo and choir albums, and one of the most brilliant pedagogues of any brass instrument, he has had a large part in redefining many parts of the trombone world in the past 25 years. His vibrant career and personable disposition set him apart as not only a great trombonist, but a great musician and human being.  We had the opportunity to speak with him about his pedagogical philosophies, his many career highlights, and some strong advice he would have for young students trying to break through.  -- Transition music: The Planet Krypton Fanfare/Superman March, John Williams arr. Nova, Bradley Palmer & STS Professors Choir 2015 Intro/Outro music: I Will Go Sailing No More, Randy Newman, Lawson Gardner Instagram: @8thposition @dabaldwin903 @lawson.gardner2

This week on the podcast we’re joined by Matthew Neff, bass trombone of the North Carolina Symphony. As a musician with a long and diverse career in the US Navy bands, Matt is an incredibly skilled musician in a plethora of different styles. From the Commodores to subbing in symphony orchestras, and everything in between, he has a lofty amount of insight to share without losing touch with his sense of humor. We got an opportunity to talk about his early life with music, his experiences playing with various military bands throughout the years, and the various auditions he’s taken. -- Transition music: Make our Garden Grow, Leonard Bernstein arr. Slutter, Matt Neff & Mark Lusk with the Penn State Trombone Choir Intro/Outro music: I Will Go Sailing No More, Randy Newman, Lawson Gardner Instagram: @8thposition @dabaldwin903 @lawson.gardner2