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Site concept, content, and design: Steve Shires; Gabriel Langfur; Dale Cruse
Photos: Steve Emery; David Liquori; Dale Cruse
Original website: Ethan H. Schwartz and Tom Spataro
We would also like to thank the following S.E. Shires trombone players for their time and opinions on this site. They’re East Coast, West Coast, professionals, semi-pros, amateurs, weekend warriors, and students. Men and women. All talking about one thing: Their Shires trombones.
None of the players quoted has endorsement contracts with the S.E. Shires Company. Their comments simply represent their satisfaction with the instruments and services provided by the company.
Darren Acosta: principal trombone, Rhode Island Philharmonic; trombonist, Boston Pops and Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestras; faculty, Walnut Hill School for the Arts
Jeff Albert: New Orleans-based freelance trombonist
Christopher Beaudry: graduate student bass trombonist, Eastman School of Music
Norman Bolter: second trombone, Boston Symphony Orchestra; principal trombone, Boston Pops
Purcell Bronk: freelance trombonist
Sam Burtis: New York City-based freelance trombonist; member of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and the Chico O’Farrill Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra
David Carter: bass trombonist, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra
Eli Chalmer: student, McGill University
Scott Cho: student, Ithaca College
Dennis Cramer: principal trombone, Butler Symphony Orchestra; Armstrong Brass Quintet; IUP Trombone Choir; teacher and freelance player
Bruno De Busschere: Solo trombone, Symfonieorkest van Vlaanderen (Symphony Orchestra of Flanders)
Brian L. Diehl: Boston-based freelance trombonist and soloist throughout New England and the United States
Dean Dukes: Orlando-based freelance trombonist
Steve Ferguson: Los Angeles-based trombonist and authorized S.E. Shires dealer
Jim Finlayson: Michigan-based freelance trombonist
Joel Gates: Rhode Island Philharmonic; Providence, Rhode Island-based freelance trombonist
Jeff Grubin: Connecticut-based freelance trombonist
Matthew Guilford: bass trombonist, National Symphony Orchestra
Roger Hecht: Boston-based freelancer; principal trombone, New Philharmonia Orchestra, Bay Colony Brass
Paul Hill: freelance bass trombonist and Naval officer
Wesley Hopper: Boston-based freelance trombonist; trombone, Triton Brass Quintet; Adjunct Professor of Trombone, Boston College
Don Immel: Assistant Professor of Trombone, University of Washington
Lawrence Isaacson: former member San Francisco Symphony, Empire Brass Quintet and Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra; currently Chair of Brass and Woodwinds at The Boston Conservatory
Dr. Fernando Jiménez: Chair, Music Department, Western Connecticut State University
Irvin Karan: New York City-based freelance trombonist
Dean McCarty: Houston-area freelance
trombonist, high school and instrumental ministries director
Galen McQuarrie: Washington-based physician and freelance trombonist
Don Mikkelsen: New York City-based freelance trombonist
Mark Miyamoto: Hawaii-based band director and trombonist
David Murray: student, Eastman School of Music
James Nova: assistant
principal trombone, Utah Symphony; trombone, Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra
Scott Robinson: graduate student at the Glenn Gould School in Toronto
Stacy Werblin: Florida-based freelance trombonist
Jerry Zigmont:
trombonist, Woody Allen and his New Orleans Jazz Band
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“Your craftsmanship is truly #1. My new instrument is definitely the best I have ever played. It is also the most beautiful instrument I have ever owned. I can see nothing else ever coming close to this. Now I have to make more time to practice!” - Mark Miyamoto
“The Shires trombone is an instrument unmatched by any other. The many colors in its sound allow a performer to use it in any performance setting. Playing in orchestral, solo, or chamber music capacity, Shires trombones always provide a singing tone, superior blend, and unrivaled color. When setting out to buy a new instrument, one of the most important aspects I was looking for was ease of playing. The Shires trombone is a resonant instrument that you can feel come ’alive’ in your hands. Having an instrument with such ease of playing allows the performer to think about more important things—making music! The mechanics of each instrument are nearly flawless. Choosing either Shires valve will provide reliability and easy maintenance. The slides, meticulously crafted, are considered by many as perhaps the best in production. Try one out and you’ll understand why. I would recommend visiting the factory to meet Steve and his staff personally. He can work with you to construct a comparable horn to your current model. Using that as a basis, the myriad of options in the factory helps to tailor your new trombone into a personal fit. Steve is always willing to listen from the other end and give appropriate feedback to help you choose the right components. He also gives you plenty of individual playing time, unlike some mainstream stores with salesmen that try to force a particular purchase. The no-pressure atmosphere is very welcoming and leaves you at ease to make the best choice.” - David Murray
“This horn is the easiest horn to play that I have ever come across! Great response. The upper partials just sort of leap out at you. Articulations are sharp without any tendency to get muddy. I feel much less fatigued after practicing with this horn. There is nothing quite like a hand-made and well made custom product to bring joy to my heart. I’m really very pleased with my Shires.” - Galen McQuarrie
“Thank you so much for the quick turnaround and fabulous service. You guys are awesome. I’ll be back for sure when I need another horn.” - Scott Cho |
