BCA-011: Berklee Oral History Project

Tom Plsek, chair of the brass department at Berklee College of Music and trombonist, discusses the international prevalence of brass across genres; the origins of the sackbut and evolution of playing techniques, and the culture among trombone players. He shares about the longrunning annual Boston Sackbut Week organized by Berklee faculty members and the formation of the International Trombone Association. He recalls his introduction to trombone in grade school, his path toward a career in music education, his arrival at Berklee in 1972, and his transition to chairing the trombone and later brass departments. Plsek comments on student enrollment in the Berklee brass department, highlights fellow faculty members, and describes how trombone pedagogy has evolved during his time at the College. He also shares about memorable performances, collaborators, mentors, and influential trombonists.