Trombone Faculty – Missouri State University
Professor Emeritus – Western Michigan University

About

Dr. Steve Wolfinbarger is an accomplished trombone educator and performer currently teaching at Missouri State University, where he shares trombone faculty duties with Professor Jason Hausback. He is also Professor Emeritus of Music at Western Michigan University.

Dr. Wolfinbarger earned his Bachelor of Music Education from Evangel University (Springfield, MO) and both Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in trombone performance from the University of North Texas.

Student Achievements Summary

Dr. Wolfinbarger’s students have achieved significant national and international recognition, including:

  • 27 finalists in International Trombone Association (ITA) solo competitions, including 9 first-place winners.

    • An additional 19 honorable mentions/alternates, for a total of 46 total recognitions.

    13 semifinalist/finalist placements and numerous winners at the American Trombone Workshop’s National Solo Competition

  • Winners and honorable mentions in the Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition

  • Finalists in the Minnesota Orchestra’s Steve Zellmer Orchestral Excerpt Competition

  • Selected as Associate Trombonist of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago

  • Admitted to elite programs including:

    • The Juilliard School

    • Yale University

    • Eastman School of Music

    • Cleveland Institute of Music

    • New England Conservatory

    • Northwestern University

    • Florida State University

    • University of North Texas

Former students now teach trombone at over 25 universities nationwide, including some of the nation’s leading universities:

Florida State University
DePaul University
University of North Carolina
Duke University
Tulane University
Ball State University
Bowling Green State University
Youngstown State University
University of Notre Dame
West Texas A&M University
…and numerous others

They also perform professionally around the world.

Significant Honors and Awards:

  • 2025 - To honor his years of teaching at Western Michigan University, the College of Fine Arts announced the creation of the Steve Wolfinbarger Endowment Fund for Trombone Studies.

  • 2023 - Honored to be the subject of a dissertation completed in spring 2023 by Florida State University doctoral candidate Charles West, titled “The Pedagogy, Career, and Influence of Dr. Stephen M. Wolfinbarger.”

  • 2020 – The first educator interviewed on “The Trombone Retreat” podcast, hosted by Nick Schwartz (New York Ballet) and Sebastian Vera (Pittsburgh Opera). Episode 10 (1 hr 20 min). Since its inception, The Trombone Retreat has featured esteemed trombone artists such as Joe Alessi (New York Philharmonic), Christian Lindberg (Swedish soloist), Peter Steiner (Italian soloist), James Markey (Boston Symphony), Marshall Gilkes (jazz artist), Alain Trudel (Canadian soloist), and more.

  • 2019 – Inaugural recipient of the International Trombone Association’s Kenneth Hanlon Award, which "honors an individual who has made significant contributions to the ITA and the trombone world, embodying a spirit of generosity that inspirs others."

  • 2013 – Michigan Professor of the Year. Sponsored by The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, both based in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Professors of the Year Awards Program honors the nation's most exceptional undergraduate instructors—those who excel in teaching and have a profound impact on the lives and careers of their students.

  • 2010 – Distinguished Teaching Award. The Western Michigan University Distinguished Teaching Award is the university's highest honor, recognizing faculty members for their exceptional work with students.

  • 2009 – The International Trombone Association Award is the highest honor presented by the ITA, recognizing outstanding achievements in areas such as performance, composition, arranging, teaching, conducting, research, and service. Awarded annually to one individual, it celebrates the highest level of creative and artistic excellence in the trombone world.

Leadership & Service

Dr. Wolfinbarger has played a major leadership role in the global trombone community:

  • President, International Trombone Association (1994–1996)

  • Treasurer, International Trombone Festival (ITF) (2018 - current)

  • Director & Chair, ITF Site Selection Committee (1992–2001)

  • Host, 1990 International Trombone Workshop at WMU

  • Chair, ITA Governance Committee (17 years)

  • Contributor, ITA Journal

  • Co-author, national trombone pedagogy manual for public schools

Clinician & Performer

Dr. Wolfinbarger has appeared as a guest soloist, clinician, and educator at:

  • Leading conservatories and festivals in The Netherlands, Finland, Mexico, Canada, Germany, Russia, and China.

  • U.S. institutions including the Chautauqua Institution, Eastman School of Music, and over 30 universities.

A man in a tuxedo conducting an orchestra with a baton.