Pottstown Symphony Orchestra - Die Posaunen, Quartett


	Quartet/Die Posaunen is a unique quartet of professional trombonists who delight in treating their audiences to a delectable feast of unsurpassed musical taste from Bach to Basie, Mozart to Mancini, and Schutz to Sondheim. Selections that have become common place by their familiarity have been skillfully recreated by topnotch arrangers. The quartet was founded at Lebanon Valley College, Annville, Pennsylvnia, in1986 by James Erdman, and holds the distinction of being the first chamber ensemble of trombones “in residence” at an American college or university. QUARTET/DIE POSAUNEN maintains an extensive library, offering a vast choice of musical selections for any occasion. With a collective professional background exceeding 175 years, they have served their musical menu to diverse audiences, including Penn State University in State College, Pennsylvania; Founders Hall in Hershey, Pennsylvania; the Eastern Trombone Workshop in Washington, D.C., and the International Trombone Association Workshop in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Audiences agree QUARTET/DIE POSAUNEN performances are not just a concertgoing experience... They are a musical cornucopia!
	James Erdman served as principal trombonist and soloist for twenty years with the United States Marine Band, retiring in 1976. As lead trombonist for ”The President’s Own“ chamber orchestra and big band, he performed regularly at the White House with invited artists including The Carpenters, Carol Lawrence and Robert Goulet, Richard Kiley, Johnny Mathis, Frank Sinatra, Nelson Riddle, members of the Metropolitan Opera, and numerous others. On annual Marine Band tours, he gained national prominence for his interpretive lyrical style and technique. His solo performances have been heard in major concert halls throughout the United States, including: Symphony Hall, Boston; Severance Hall, Cleveland; Heinz Hall, Pittsburg; UCLA’s Royce Hall; Powell Hall, St. Louis; and The Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C. He has appeared nationally as soloist and guest clinician at numerous high schools and colleges, including Penn State, The Interlochen Arts Academy, Purdue University, and presented master classes at the Cleveland Institute of Music, the University of Delaware, andthe University of North Texas. In 1983, he was appointed to his present position as Adjunct Instructor of Low Brass at Lebanon Valley College, Annville, Pennsylvania. Spanning over 50 years of professional performance Jim has represented the musical instrument companies of Holton, Conn, and United Musical Instruments as a frequent soloist and clinician. In 1985, The International Trombone Association recognized his “contribution to virtuoso solo trombone playing”. He has served that organisazion as a master teacher, recitalist, clinician and adjudicator.
	Michael Clayville has studied trombone with James rdman, John Marcellus and David Waters, and has received degrees from the Eastman School of Music and the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University. In addition to performing with QUARTET/DIE POSAUNEN, of which he has the distinction of beeing its youngest member, he is also a member of Alarm Will Sound, a new music ensemble hailed by the New York Times as “the future of classical music”, and artists-in-residence at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and Novus, a trombone quartet that has presented concerts and master classes at the Eastman School of Music, Penn State University, the University of Maryland, Lebanon Valley College and in Munich, Germany. As a soloist, Michael has performed with the York Symphony and has presented recitals at Dickinson College, Rice University and the Eastman School of Music. Michael is the adjunct lecturer of trombone at Messiah College in Grantham, Pennsylvania.
	Michael Purdy is at home with any kind of musical literature and style and has a resume that spells ”experience”! He is a true freelance musician, having performed on a regular basis with the PhiladeIphia Pops, the Strauss Orchestra of America, the Pottstown Symphomy, and the Dave Stahl Big Band. For five years prlor to moving to Pennsylvania as Vice President of J. W. Pepper Music Publications, he was the 2nd and Bass Trombonist with the pallas Wind Symphony. Upon moving east, Mike has done extensive freelancing in central New York State, performing with Jeff Tyzik, Ella Fitzgerald, Tom Jones, Chuck Mangione, Gap Malgione, Pa Boone, Red Skelton, Disney On Parade, Ice follies (10 shows per year for eight years), Chautauqua Institute with Tony Bennett, Finger Lakes Performing Arts Center House Band with Steve Lawrence and Edie Gorme, and liberace. As a member of the house band at Three Rivers Inn, Syracuse New York, Mike played extended engagements with performers Mike Donglas, Eddy Fischer, Sergio Franchi, Abby Lane, Frankie Lane, Trini Lopez, Sandler and Young, Enzo Stuarti, and Connie Frances. Last, but certainly not least, Michael recorded with ”Patty Paige – tite 50th Anniversary Concert – Live at Camegie Hal” (Grammy Award Winner 1999), and Video Games Live, NFL Films including Vince Lombardi segments broadcast on the 2006 Super Bowl and music for the 2007 Super Bowl.
	Stephen Shiffer holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University, Youngstown, Ohio. He is an active freelance tenor and bass trombonist, and has performed with Natalie Cole, The Manhattan Transfer, Regis Philbin, Bernadette Peters, The Temptations, Four Tops, and numerous others. He has played in the orchestra at Hershey Theater for the Broadway National Tours of The King and I, Chicago, and Annie. He carries the moniker of the “must have” bass trombone and the unquestionable sound for QUARTET/DIE POSAUNEN. Stephen performed at both the International and Eastern Trombone Workshops and was also a guest soloist with the Lebanon Valley College Honors Band. Stephen is a member of The Pottstown Symphony Orchestra, the Buzz Jones Big Band. Charte Van Horn Big Band, and Skip Stine/Cathy Chemi Big Band. Stephen has over 20 years of teaching experience, and maintains studios in Ephrata, and Stevens, Pennsylvania. He resides in Stevens with his wife Faith, also an accomplished professional musician, and writer/arranger for QUARTET/DIE POSAUNEN.