Kolbe Schnoebelen
Kolbe is a 4th year undergrad at The University of Iowa pursuing his B.M. in Trombone Performance and B.B.A. in Accounting. Hailing from Iowa City, IA, Kolbe currently serves as Principal Trombonist of The University of Iowa Symphony Band and Lead Chair in Johnson County Landmark. Outside of the university, Kolbe is a member of the Clinton Street Quartet and also serves as the Principal Trombonist in the Iowa Brass Band, performing locally and competitively at competitions such as The Gateway Brass Band Competition in St. Louis, MO.
Since the summer of 2021, Kolbe has toured with the Holy Mountain Singers as the hired trombonist, performing in locations throughout the country, spanning locations from Kansas City, MO to Daytona Beach, FL. In addition, Kolbe is a founding member of the 5K Jazz Quintet, which was featured by KCCK jazz radio. Back in 2020, Kolbe was selected as a member of both the 2020 Jazz Band of America and 2020 Honor Band of America.
In the summer of 2023, Kolbe was selected into the prestigious Jazz Aspen Snowmass Academy led by the Frost School of Music, under the direction of Christian McBride. Also in the summer of 2023, Kolbe competed as a semifinalist in both the solo and excerpt competitions at the Southeast Trombone Symposium in Columbus, GA. Most recently, Kolbe won a position in the national touring ensemble King's Brass and will begin touring the East Coast with the group starting in the summer of 2024.
Ty Waters
Ty is a fourth-year at the University of Iowa pursuing his B.M. in Trombone Performance. Ty enjoys participating in University ensembles and has performed with the Iowa City Chamber Singers. During his time at Iowa, Ty has been a finalist in the American Trombone Workshop Solo Jazz Trombone Competition in Washington DC, served as principal trombone of the National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute, was selected as a member of the Bluecoats, delivered a jazz trombone 101 masterclass series across Thailand, was a semifinalist in the Southeast Trombone Symposium Excerpts Competition, and is also a Shires Rising Artist. This past summer, Ty was a member of the Brevard Jazz Institute where he performed multiple jazz selections in North Carolina and surrounding areas.
Ben Copeland
Ben Copeland is a versatile trombone performer, chamber musician, and educator. Originally from New Glarus, WI, Ben is pursuing degrees in Trombone Performance and Economics at the University of Iowa. In addition to participating in numerous university ensembles, Ben is currently serving as the bass trombonist in the Clinton Symphony Orchestra. Ben has diverse chamber experience, as he is a founding member of the widely popular Clinton Street Trombone Quartet and performs with the Prairie Piffari Renaissance Wind Band. A frequent guest artist and soloist, Ben has also performed with the DC Trombone Workshop and the Honors Performance Series. He maintains an active private lesson studio spanning multiple states. In his spare time, Ben is an avid Wisconsin sports fan and board game player.
Ryan Carter
Ryan is an up and coming versatile Bass Trombonist currently studying at The University of Iowa in his senior year. He is pursuing a B.A. in Music Education and a B.M. in Trombone Performance. Born in Adelaide, South Australia, he moved to Iowa and has been living in Iowa City since. This past summer, Ryan participated in the Atlantic Brass Quintet seminar and advanced to the final round of the Royal Australian Navy Band Bass Trombone Audition.
At the University of Iowa, Ryan has performed in the Symphony Band, Symphony Orchestra, Johnson County Landmark, Hawkeye Marching Band, and Trombone Choir. During the semesters Ryan also conducts with the New Horizons Band and is the Director of the Silver Swing Jazz Band.
Outside of the University, Ryan is a founding member of the modern jazz quintet The Laird Quintet, performs with the Iowa Brass Band and teaches private lessons. Ryan currently is the Vice President of the University of Iowa Trombone Association.