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Trombone student is finalist in international competition

Feb. 14, 2011

KALAMAZOO--A student in the Western Michigan University School of Music has been named one of three finalists in the International Trombone Association's bass trombone solo competition for students 18 and under.

Photo of WMU student Derek Lyp.Derek Lyp is a freshman from Lambertville, Mich. He will compete to win a $5,000 bass trombone in the George Roberts Solo Competition's final round at the International Trombone Festival June 22-25 in Nashville, Tenn., at Vanderbilt University.

Prior to coming to WMU, Lyp attended private school in Toledo, Ohio, and was chosen as the Ohio first chair all-state trombonist his senior year.

"As a high school senior this past year, Derek was highly recruited by and admitted into schools like The Oberlin Conservatory, so there were major music schools wanting him to attend," says his instructor, Dr. Stephen Wolfinbarger, WMU professor of music. "He's a great kid and a talented performer, so it will be a pleasure having him in my trombone studio over the next four years."

This isn't the first time Wolfinbarger's students have been selected to compete at the International Trombone Festival. In recent years, Hana Beloglavec won two ITA competitions, while Eric Bowman won one and was a finalist in another. Bass trombonist Evan Conroy also was a finalist.

The ITA's various solo competitions typically feature the most outstanding trombone talent from the United States and abroad. Lyp is in good company considering his competition. In the final round, he will compete against students representing outstanding trombone programs at Northwestern University and the University of Alabama. One of last year's finalists, an all-state trombonist from Texas, failed to make the cut this year.

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Media contact: Mark Schwerin, (269) 387-8400, mark.schwerin@wmich.edu

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