Sandra Kessler

B.M. Music Education, Trombone Performance, Spanish Education
Western Michigan University (1999)

Why did you decide to attend WMU?

When deciding on a college, I schedule private lessons at various schools. I liked Dr. Wolfinbarger's style of teaching the best. He was honest and helped me to correct things about my playing that have benefited me tremendously in my professional life.

What do you consider to be your most important professional achievement?

Juggling all that I want to do professionally at the same time – I teach, I play as a substitute and extra in the state orchestra and band, and in a big band, I direct, I arrange, and coordinate conferences. I am not sure I would have that many opportunities in one place in the US. I really enjoy my professional life here in Mexico.

What are your fondest memories of your time in the trombone studio (or music program) at Western?

• Playing in my first masterclass for Alain Trudell in 1994;
• Playing in a trombone quartet representing WMU at the 1997 International Trombone Festival, and opening for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra low brass at that event;
• Flying back to the US from studying abroad in Mexico to be the official translator for the Spanish Brass at the 1998 International Trombone Festival in Boulder, CO;
• Wrapping Dr. Wolfinbarger's door on multiple occasions for his birthday;
• Playing a sophomore recital and winning the Bronco Band drum major audition on the same day.

What advice can you offer to incoming freshmen in the trombone studio at Western?

You have an amazing opportunity to learn from Dr. Wolfinbarger. In my own teaching, I frequently use techniques that I observed in his studio. Value your time at Western, and absorb all that you see and hear like a sponge, even if it is not necessarily directed at you. There are so many opportunities in the School of Music – guest recitals, masterclasses, ensembles like trombone choir – learn all that you can. You never know where you might end up.

 General Information

Sandra Kessler (WMU 1994 – 1999), a native of Novi, MI, has always found ways to keep busy. While at WMU, she finished a triple major- Music Education, Music Performance, and Spanish Education. She played in both the Symphonic Band, directed at the time by Dr. Robert Spradling, and the University Symphony Orchestra, directed by Dr. Bruce Uchimura. She was drum major of the Bronco Marching Band, and then Senior Assistant, served a term as President of CMENC, and Vice president of Ritual in Sigma Alpha Iota. She studied abroad for a semester at the Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, and had the opportunity to work with the Querétaro State Band, where she performed as soloist and guest conducted several concerts. She completed her student teaching in Mattawan with Richard Anderson and Mark Greer, and she returned to Querétaro after graduation where she has been working ever since.

Sandra worked for eight years in the Querétaro State Band as arranger and assistant to the director, and she was the first woman in the band´s history to form a part of the ensemble. She was able to learn a lot, continuing to play as a soloist and directing the band as guest conductor. Sandra began working as a brass instructor in the University Autónoma de Querétaro 14 years ago, where she now team teaches trumpet, trombone, euphonium and tuba. She has also taught at the Conservatorio J. Guadalupe Velázquez for many years, where she currently teaches trombone.

Since 2001, she has coordinated 12 workshops at national and international levels – brass, woodwind and conducting. She has worked as a translator in various musical events, and coordinated six band festivals at a national level.

She has been directing the Banda Sinfónica Juvenil de Santiago de Querétaro for nearly 12 years. The band has recorded four cds - Atardeceres Musicales, Cantos Cívicos, Querétaro en Vivo, and Un Tributo a Francisco Gabilondo Soler, Cri Cri where she not only directed but also wrote the band arrangements. She remains active as an arranger – specializing in fusion and interdisciplinary projects – including tributes to Disney, the Beatles, Queen, Chicago, rock in Spanish, Juan Gabriel and more. The band continues to introduce new generations of students, starting with musical initiation and continuing through advanced levels. The advanced band has participated in over 50 national band festivals over 19 years. She served four years as Secretary of the Mexican National Band Directors Association. 

Sandra directs Lobos Marching Band, a state-sponsored youth organization, which is on hiatus for the moment. She has been a part-time instructor at the Tecnológico de Monterrey, Campus Querétaro, where she teaches cultural classes -Rock Ensemble, music theory, solfege, and Visual and Sound Culture. She remains active as a clinician, soloist and instructor.

On a personal note, she is proud mama to a fused family of four children, 17, 16, 15, and 7 years of age, and a very large and constantly hungry Alaskan Malamute, and her free time is spent binge-watching all forms of Star Trek on Netflix, and crocheting massive quantities of scarves, hats, slippers, and bags.