Dr. Chase West

Education

• Doctor of Musical Arts, Brass Performance (D.M.A)
  Florida State University
• Master of Music, Trombone Performance (M.M.) 
  Western Michigan University
• Bachelor of Music, Instrumental Music Education (B.M.)
  University of South Alabama

Biography

Dr. Chase West is a performer and educator based in Mobile, Alabama. As an orchestral trombonist, he regularly performs with the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra and the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, and has performed with the Holland Symphony Orchestra (MI) and the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, Chase has worked as a freelance musician in Michigan, Georgia, Florida, and the Gulf Coast region, performing in various big bands, brass bands, chamber ensembles, and musical theater productions.

As an educator, Chase is joining the faculty of the University of South Alabama as the Visiting Assistant Professor of Trombone in fall of 2024. He previously held the positions of Assistant Director of Bands and Instructor of Trombone at Southern Arkansas University, Instructor of Low Brass at Kellogg Community College, and band director at Phillips Preparatory School and Saraland High School. He is an active clinician at high schools and middle schools, having taught at schools across Michigan, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Texas, and Arkansas.

An active member of the International Trombone Association, Chase serves as the Competitions Coordinator for the ITA, responsible for the implementation of fourteen annual competitions with an international pool of applicants and judges. Chase completed his D.M. in Brass Performance at Florida State University and holds degrees in Trombone Performance and Music Education from Western Michigan University and the University of South Alabama, respectively. His primary teachers include John Drew, Steve Wolfinbarger, Will Petersen, and Greg Gruner.