Northern Kentucky University, Trombone Day
March 1st, 2026
9:30 am - 4:30pm
Featured Guest Artists:
Dr. Christopher van Hof
Associate Professor of Trombone: Ball State University
Austin Pancner
The Functional Musician: Music Wellness
This event is free for all participants, but registration is strongly encouraged. Trombone enthusiasts of all ages are welcome.
Bring your trombones!
Chris Van Hof is the Associate Professor of Trombone at Ball State University. He also is the Assistant Manager of the International Trombone Festival. Chris is a Performing Artist for S. E. Shires Custom Brass Instruments.
As a freelance performer, Chris is fluent in a variety of musical vernaculars. He performs regularly with the leading ensembles in Indianapolis, Indiana including the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Aire Born Recording Studios, and The Indianapolis Opera. He is a founding member of and contributing arranger to the Naptown Trombone Collective, a jazz trombone ensemble. He is Principal Trombone in the Carmel (IN) Symphony Orchestra, Second Trombone with the Lafayette (IN) Symphony Orchestra and performs regularly with other regional orchestras across Indiana.
Conversant in Spanish, Chris has an international performance and teaching resume with his work primarily focused in Central and South America. He has participated as teacher, soloist, and ensemble member in trombone events in Panama, Costa Rica, Uruguay, and Argentina, and in remote events for El Sistema in Venezuela and La Escuela de Trombón Latinoamérica.
Chris is committed to teaching the next generation of trombonists. Along with Carol Jarvis, he is the co-author of “Trombone21,” which focuses on his guiding teaching principals of stylistic versatility and empathetic performance. Additionally, the Trombone Studio at Ball State has emerged as a vibrant place for trombone study during Chris’ tenure, which began in 2017. The Cardinal Trombone Choir has performed at the 2018, 2019, and 2022 International Trombone Festivals and anticipates a performance at the 2026 American Trombone Workshop. Ball State trombone alumni are leading music educators throughout the state of Indiana from kindergarten to college level, have pursued graduate performance study at the University of Michigan, Texas Tech University, and Western Michigan University, and are members of the United States Marine Corps music program. Studio members focus as much on technical and musical objectives as they do on studio culture and professionalism to serve them in their college lives and, in their careers, going forward.
Chris studied at Western Michigan University with Steve Wolfinbarger for his Bachelor's in Music Education and Trombone Performance, at the Eastman School of Music with Mark Kellogg for his Master's in performance, and at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with Mark Hetzler for his Doctorate in performance. He is a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, and now lives in Indianapolis with his wife Andrea and their two boys Dexter and Fritz. Away from trombone he enjoys cooking, biking, hiking, and being a soccer dad.
Austin Pancner is the founder and CEO of The Functional Musician, an online coaching company that helps musicians live and perform without pain through injury prevention and recovery programs.
Motivated and fueled by his own injury experience, he believes proper recovery and injury prevention should be centered around a holistic approach, one that factors in the entire human. Although every client is unique and requires a personalized approach, Austin incorporates different methods to create a life-changing experience for his clients. This approach has grown and evolved from his personal injury experience, continued education, modern psychology, biomechanics, and movement grounded in scientific-based principles and research.
Over the past 4+ years, Austin has helped over 100 musicians overcome tension, pain, and injury. He is constantly learning new tools and techniques to serve his clients and is passionate about serving the music community.
Schedule
9:30 a.m. Wert Music Exhibit Opens
9:30 - 10:00 a.m. Registration
10:00 - 10:30 a.m. Welcome/Group Warm-up (Austin Pancner)
10:30 - 11:15 a.m. 21st Century Trombone: (Dr. van Hof)
11:30 am - 12:15 p.m. Recital (Dr. van Hof)
12:15 p.m. Break for Lunch (on your own)
1:30 p.m. Trombone Choir Rehearsal (Dr. Setzer)
2:30 p.m. Austin Pancner Presentation: Musician Wellness
3:15 p.m. Wert Music Exhibit Closes
3:30 p.m. Final Concert
Location:
Northern Kentucky University, School of the Arts
1 Louie B Nunn Dr, Highland Heights KY, 41099
All events will take place in Greaves Concert Hall
Questions can be directed to Dr. Louis Setzer at setzerl1@nku.edu