John Sipher

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.

Compositions

Featured
My Favorite's Favorite Things for trombone and loop pedal

I wrote this piece in the spring and summer of 2021, while going through a period of personal growth and self-reflection. I realized that in the past, a lot of my music had been written around my own anxiety and self fears, so with this piece, I resolved to write something more hopeful and joy filled. In two movements, my subject matter was my daughter, and the movements could very easily have been titled Unicorns and Rainbows, but I would rather the listener or performer think of things that make them happy, or things that make people they love happy.

Just Breathe

Just Breathe is a piece for trombone and loop pedal written in the winter of 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. In three movements, the piece offers advice that is often easier said than done. The first movement, Breathe In, represents the moment when one is starting to feel overwhelmed and realizes that they need to take a calming breath, culminating in a lush chorale. The second movement, Monkey Brain, refers to the nature of our minds to wander frantically from topic to topic, rather than be in the moment. And finally, the third movement, Release, is the exhale as we release negative thoughts and tension with our breath. Writing this piece has been a large part of my therapy during this year of crisis, and I hope it can bring you a little piece of calm as well.

Perseverance

My newest composition for trombone and loop pedal has become my most personal one yet. Written during the pandemic and quarantine of COVID-19, this piece reflects on the resilience and perseverance of the human spirit in the time of crisis and oppression.

Duet for a Time of Isolation

Written towards the beginning of the 2020 pandemic, this duet helped me to begin the creative healing process.

Recollections

An ephemeral piece for trombone and loop pedal.

Changes at CPR's Classical

Recorded for Colorado Public Radio in 2018, this is my first composition for trombone and loop pedal.