has been the principal trombonist of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra since 2015. Prior to his current position, he has held principal trombone positions with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, and was a fellow at the New World Symphony.
A native of Roanoke, Virginia, he received his bachelor’s degree in Music Education with a minor in Jazz Studies from James Madison University and his Master of Music in trombone performance from Yale University. In addition to his orchestral appointments, he has performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Utah Symphony Orchestra, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Rochester Philharmonic, and the Grand Teton Music Festival Orchestra.
As an educator, John has served as a trombone instructor at Hamilton College and the University of Northern Colorado, and has presented masterclasses and recitals across the country. John is an active contributor of music to the trombone repertoire, composing and arranging music primarily for trombone ensembles and for trombone and loop pedal. When not playing trombone, John enjoys the majesty of the Colorado outdoors, the yeasty warmth of sourdough bread, the sound of a camera shutter, and the plink of a ukulele.
The University of Virginia Department of Music presents a Trombone Masterclass with John Sipher on Friday, September 29th from 3- 5pm at The Hunter Smith Band Building. Pre-selected UVA brass students will be performing a short solo or etude for the masterclass. This event is free and open to the public.
The Hunter Smith Band Buildng is located at 180 Culbreth Road in Charlottesville Virginia. Parking is in the Culbreth Garage.