It’s About Time, Music for Solo Trombone by Women Composers

Ava Ordman, trombone
Derek Polischuk, piano


It’s About Time, Music for Solo Trombone by Women Composers 
Ava Ordman, trombone
Derek Polischuk, piano

I have been playing the trombone for more than 55 years. After 24 years, as principal trombonist of the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra (Michgian) and performing as a recitalist, chamber musician and soloist with orchestras and wind ensembles, I decided to go back to school and study psychology. I left my orchestra job behind and began working as a psychotherapist in the Detroit area. However, the horn never completely left my side. I continued to work as a freelance trombonist while pursuing my new career as a psychologist. A couple of years later I decided to throw my hat in the ring for the trombone professorship at MSU. I got it. In 2002 I became the professor of trombone at Michigan State University. I continue to look forward to where my life will lead me next.

During my time as a professional trombonist, I have had the good fortune of recording Donald Erb’s Trombone Concerto with the Grand Rapids Symphony- a CD featuring Richard Stolzman, Miriam Fried and me performing concertos by Donald Erb. I was also a part of a CD project at Michigan State University featuring the works of Frank Tichelli. Yet, over half a century later, I had not recorded a solo CD of my own. So… It’s about time!

Until recently I had performed only a few solo works for trombone by women composers and enjoyed them very much. However, I hadn’t really thought about how significant it could be for me, a woman trombonist, to perform and record a complete CD of works by women composers. Besides taking on the project of my first solo CD, it would also be an opportunity to showcase the works of these gifted composers. Indeed… It’s about time! —Ava Ordman, from CD liner notes

CD release date: February 2017, Blue Griffin Recording, Inc.

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