Freshman named finalist in international trombone competition

KALAMAZOO—A freshman music student at Western Michigan University has been named a finalist in a solo competition staged by the International Trombone Association.

Nick Dewyer of Chelsea, Mich., has been selected as a finalist in the Gagliardi Solo Competition, for students 18 and under. Dewyer will travel in June to the 2014 International Trombone Festival at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., to compete for the top prize—a $4,000 trombone. One of the other finalists is from The Julliard School of Music, while the third finalist is from Norway.

This marks Dewyer's second major success this year, as he was recently named a finalist in the U.S. Army Band's National Trombone Solo Competition. He will travel to Washington, D.C., next month for that competition.

Dewyer is a student of Dr. Steve Wolfinbarger, WMU professor of music.

"Nick is fortunate to have not only a great deal of natural ability, but also an excellent work ethic," Wolfinbarger says. "It's really wonderful to see talented WMU students like Nick Dewyer showcased on an international stage.  I'm certain he has a bright future in music."