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Trombone Day 2026

Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026

Timashev Family Music Building

We invite high school and college trombonists — as well as professionals and adult hobbyists/non-students — to join us for an exciting day of performances, masterclasses, and collaboration with the Ohio State Trombone studio, faculty, and guest artist Vladislav Petrachev, newly-appointed principal trombonist of the Columbus Symphony. 

Participants will perform in concert with Petrachev and The Ohio State Trombone Choir under the direction of Dr. Elisabeth Shafer Suffern, and connect with other trombonists from across the region. We hope to see you there!

Tentative Schedule

9:30 a.m. — Check-in at the Timashev Family Music Building
10–11 a.m. — Guest artist recital (principal trombone, Columbus Symphony)
11:15–12:15 — Guest artist master class
12:15–1:15 — Lunch 
1:30–2:30 — Chamber music readings 
2:45–3:45 — Dr. Suffern fundamentals class 
4–5 p.m. — Joint Trombone Choir rehearsal
5:30 p.m. — Finale concert. Open to the public.

All events are subject to change.
 

Elisabeth Shafer

Program director 
Elisabeth Shafer Suffern

ELIGIBILITY — For students currently in grades 9–12, college students and adult trombonists. 

FEES  — $35, includes pizza lunch

Steps to Register and Prepare for Trombone Day


STEP 1 — Register and pay. 

Deadline: MONDAY, JAN. 26

You will be required to make payment via credit card at the time of registration. Shortly after submitting payment, you will receive an email confirming the transaction. 

High School Student Registration  |  College Student/Adult Registration

NOTE — The registration/payment forms work best on a computer (PC or Mac).
MAC USERS — use Chrome, not Safari.

STEP 2 — Permission forms for minors

Three to five days after you register and pay, parents/guardians and participants will receive permission forms via DocuSign shortly after registration is complete. All forms must be returned by the DocuSign deadline in order to participate.


STEP 3 — Submit a video if you would like to be considered for the master class.

Before SUNDAY, JAN. 25, participants who are interested in playing in the master class should submit a 1- to 5- minute video. You can do this with your smartphone. 

Performers who are selected will be informed by SATURDAY, JAN. 31.

Please play the following:

  • One solo piece of your choice

Create and submit your video:

  • Step 1— Record your video
  • Step 2 — Upload your audition to YouTube as an UNLISTED VIDEO
  • Step 3 — Send an email with the link to your video to Professor Elisabeth Shafer Suffern at shafer.372@osu.edu
  • Be sure to include your full name in your email so that we can match it with your registration submission.

Need help? These instructional videos can help with this process:

What Comes Next?

Approximately one week prior to the event, all registered participants will receive an email with detailed information for February 7, including:

  1. What to bring
  2. Arrival
  3. Parking
  4. Check-in

Meet our Guest Artist
 

Vladislav Petrachev, trombone guest artist

Vladislav Petrachev is a trombonist from Saint Petersburg, Russia, whose career has taken him from leading the trombone section at the Mikhailovsky Theatre to performing with orchestras around the world. After four years as principal trombone in his hometown, he set out to explore new stages and opportunities abroad. His distinguished career includes performances with prestigious orchestras such as the Mariinsky Theatre, Cincinnati Symphony, Princeton Symphony, Saint Petersburg Philharmonic, and Saint Petersburg State Symphony Orchestra. Petrachev has collaborated with celebrated conductors like Charles Dutoit, Valery Gergiev, Yuri Temirkanov, Cristian Măcelaru, and Marin Alsop, performing across Great Britain, Japan, China, South Korea, Taiwan, and Europe. In the summer of 2026, he will join the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra as their new principal trombone.

Petrachev’s academic path underscores his dedication to musical mastery. He holds a Specialist Degree in Musical Performance from the St. Petersburg State Conservatory and a bachelor’s degree from the St. Petersburg Rimsky-Korsakov College of Music. Pursuing further studies in the United States, he completed one year of a master’s degree in trombone performance at Southern Illinois University Carbondale before transferring to the University of Kentucky, where he studied from 2023 until 2025.

As a celebrated soloist and competition laureate, Petrachev has earned numerous distinctions, including the Grand Prix at the “Northern Rhapsody” International Competition (2016) and First Prize at the Russian Competition of Young Performers (2015). His solo performances have captivated audiences at universities throughout Kentucky, and renowned events such as the International Trombone Festival (2022). Complementing his performing career, Petrachev has made significant contributions as an educator, serving as a graduate assistant at Southern Illinois University, teaching assistant at the University of Kentucky, and adjunct professor of low brass at Kentucky State University (2024–2025). Recognized for his artistry and musicianship, Petrachev is a performing artist for the S. E. Shires Company, one of the world’s leading brass instrument manufacturers. Top of page

Questions? 

For program or curriculum questions, email Professor Shafer Suffern at shafer.372@osu.edu.

For registration, payment and permission questions, email Angela Heck Mueller at heckmueller.1@osu.edu.