Elliot L. Chasanov

Associate Professor of Trombone

B.M. (trombone), University of Illinois; M.M. (trombone performance and brass pedagogy), Youngstown State University (Ohio) and the Catholic University of America (Washington, D.C.

Elliot Chasanov began his musical studies at an early age as a cellist, starting the trombone shortly thereafter. Prior to coming to the University of Illinois, Professor Chasanov was principal trombonist and trombone soloist of the United States Air Force Band and Orchestra in Washington, D.C. (1981-1985) and professor of trombone and euphonium at Kent State University (1985-1991). His teachers include Frank Crisafulli, Robert Gray, Vern Kagarice, Alan Kofsky, and Charles Vernon. Professor Chasanov hosted the 1997 International Trombone Festival at the University of Illinois and has served on its faculty four other times.

He has presented recitals and master classes throughout the United States, Canada, England, and Western and Eastern Europe. In Poland, Professor Chasanov was featured guest artist at the 2000 Warsaw Trombone Festival and Judge of the 2nd All-Poland Trombone Competition. He served as trombone faculty at The International Music Festival at Duzniki Dzroj in Poland in the summers of 2000 and 2001. In December 2001 he was featured as trombone soloist with the Polish National Philharmonic-Bialystok and presented a solo recital in Florianka, Krakow's famed hall. In late 2002, Professor Chasanov was a faculty artist at the Polish Brass Symposium and guest artist at the Warsaw Academy of Music. Plans are underway to record a CD of concerti with the Warsaw-based chamber orchestra Concerto Avenna.

In the United States, Professor Chasanov has performed with the Cleveland Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Ballet, Cleveland Opera, Ohio Chamber Orchestra, and Metropolitan Brass Quintet. In addition to his solo career, he currently performs with the Illinois Brass Quintet and as a regular substitute with the Milwaukee Symphony.

My main focus is to help students to excel as musicians by developing their skills of interpretation. As in any language, fluency on trombone must first be achieved before expression can be developed. Fluency on trombone is grounded in solid fundamentals of tone production, technique, and intonation. With fundamentals solidified, students are exposed to vocal literature including lieder and art songs in order to help them gain insight into both phrasing and breathing. All students are encouraged to broaden their expertise in all areas of trombone performance including solo, chamber, large ensembles, and jazz.