Jay Crone: trombone, department head

Jay Crone, associate professor and head of the Department of Music, is in his fourteenth year as professor of low brass at Virginia Tech. Originally from California, Crone received degrees from the University of Southern California, Yale University, and California State University at Fresno. In addition to his duties as professor of trombone, euphonium and tuba, Crone was the assistant director of Virginia Tech's marching band, the Marching Virginians for ten years.

Mr. Crone has performed on trombone and euphonium with many symphony orchestras and bands throughout the United States, including the Fresno Philharmonic, the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra and Opera Roanoke. During the summers he performs with the orchestras of the Wintergreen Performing Arts Festival and the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival.

As a trombone and euphonium soloist Crone has appeared with the University of Southern California Symphonic Winds, CSU Fresno Wind Ensemble, the Virginia Wind Symphony, Virginia Tech Symphonic Wind Ensemble, CSU Humboldt Wind Ensemble, Virginia Tech Wind Symphony, and the West Georgia State University Wind Ensemble. Crone also performs with Virginia Tech's Faculty Brass Trio, and is a founding member of the Appalachian Trombone Quartet. In June of 2006 he premiered Dr. James Sochinski's Fantasie-Variationson a Dowland Ayre for trombone and band with the CSU Fresno Alumni Wind Ensemble during their tour of England under the direction of Dr. Lawrence Sutherland.

A unique aspect of Mr. Crone's musical career has been his dual role as both trombonist and pianist. He has been a collaborative pianist in voice and instrumental recitals throughout the United States, most recently performing Eric Ewazen's Palmetto Suite for Alto Trombone and Piano with Ronald Barron of the Boston Symphony. Before coming to Virginia Tech Crone was a visiting assistant professor of music at Humboldt State University in Arcata, California.

Available Recordings:

• “Ruach: Breath of God” - Philip Wilby (b. 1949), Jay Crone, trombone, James Bryant, organ
  
  
  
• “Fantasie-Variations on a Dowland Ayre” - James Sochinski, Jay Crone, trombone, CSU Fresno Alumni Wind Ensemble, Lawrence Sutherland, conductor
  
  
  
• “Come Sweet Death” - J.S. Bach, trans. Sharp, Virginia Tech Trombone Ensemble
  
  
  
• “Ave Maria” - Anton Bruckner, arr. Sabourin, VTubas