DEWAYNE HOLLOWAYa/dewayne@mcnews.online
A love for the trombone has led Mount Ida’s Will Cole to earn runner-up at the 2020 United States Marine Band Concerto Competition.
Cole’s journey to the Marine Corps Barracks Annex and the John Philip Souza Band Hall began with a search for college scholarships. He shared that his mother discovered the application to the competition which included a trombone competition. It felt like a perfect fit and he began preparing for his audition performance.
Cole stated that he chose the first movement of Tomasi’s Concerto for his performance because it was the toughest to play. He indicated that he believed playing the harder piece would showcase his abilities which would give him a better chance at winning.
He remarked that when they arrived at the Annex he was moved by how ornate and structured everything was. He was escorted to his own private practice hall and was introduced to his accompanist. Cole stated that they hit it off instantly and after a short time it sounded as if they had been playing together for a long time.
Cole was one of seven finalists in the competition. He finished second behind clarinetist Aaron Lipsky of Arden, North Carolina. saxophonist Austin Shilling of Ft. Worth, Texas finished in third place.
Cole shared that normally there are only two scholarships with winner receiving a $2,500 scholarship and the runner-up receiving a $500. During deliberations the Marine Corps Band Director asked that a third scholarship be awarded due to the high level of talent in the competition.
As a result Cole was named the first winner of a $1,000 scholarship for runner-up and third place finisher Shilling received a $500 scholarship.
Cole admitted that he might consider joining the President’s Own Marine Corps Band at some point, but for now he wants to focus on finishing high school and going to college.
He would like to have a career as an orchestra trombonist and will work toward that end. He hopes to attend the Rafael Mendez Brass Institute to be held this summer. he stated that it is a very prestigious all brass camp that would help prepare him for a career in music.
Cole stated that he isn’t a huge fan of marching and prefers the concert setting. He explained that he feels the loud volume required during marching performances damages the finer muscles in the mouth. Concert music allows him as a musician to highlight the quiet dynamics of the trombone.
He has finished second chair first band in the all state band competition for the last two years. Cole stated that he believes the rigorous preparations necessary for all state helped prepare him for the Marine Corps Band competition.
Cole, who will be a senior next year, plans to continue his pursuit of a music career, but also will work on a career to fall back on. He stated that he has an interest in horticulture and aviation.
Cole’s love for music began at an early age. He shared that he went through a phase when he was around seven where he wanted a bunch of instruments. It was during this time that a relative bought him a used trombone. About a year later injuries made it clear that youth sports wouldn’t be an option for him so he turned his attention to band. Cole admitted that he initially wanted to play a saxophone and then a tuba, but his mother reminded him of the trombone they had.
Cole played that same trombone until a couple years ago when he bought a custom built trombone from his band director, Tyler Bevill.
Bevill stated that as a teacher your goal is to help your students learn and surpass you. Bevill stated that he earned his master’s degree with that trombone. He expressed that he is proud of the musician Cole has become and is happy that he was able to pass his personal instrument on to Cole.
Will is the son of Wes and Deana Cole of Mount Ida.
