Teaching the Next Generation of Brass Players

In November 2025, I visited Texas A&M University–Kingsville for a master class hosted by Dr. Juan Saldivar, Adjunct Professor of Trombone. The session focused on orchestral performance and the specific challenges musicians face both in auditions and within the ensemble.

The class opened with a mock audition, giving students a real-world look at the expectations and pressures of the process. Afterwards, the university’s low brass section performed works by Wagner, Bruckner, and Berlioz, providing a platform for detailed discussion on style, blend, and orchestral discipline.

This was my first major master class in the United States, and the experience was a great success. Events like this are incredibly valuable for students who aspire to orchestral careers, because understanding what’s expected at an audition and what it means to function as part of a professional orchestra is essential. These classes give students clarity, direction, and the confidence to move forward.

The atmosphere throughout the day was open, energetic, and supportive — highlighting the strong potential of the program’s young musicians. I look forward to continuing my work with emerging brass players and contributing to the development of the next generation of orchestral musicians!

Vladislav Petrachev is Principal Trombone of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra.