Oak Trio: Clarinet | Trumpet | Trombone
Oak Trio consists of musicians dedicated to adding creative contemporary performance repertoire for chamber ensembles. The trio collaborates with other artists and composers to expand the music available to similar instrumental ensembles. Recent composers include Brooke Joyce, Ian Deterling, and Robert Levy.
Oak Trio is named for the Burr Oak Tree, native to North American prairie and savanna landscapes, and known for its resistance to drought, fire, and human caused stress. The tree is lauded for its durability and strength.
Suzzane Tirk | Clarinet
Dr. Suzanne Tirk is the Associate Professor of Clarinet and Assistant Director of the School of Music in Recruitment & Engagement at the University of Oklahoma. A dynamic performer and pedagogue, Suzanne has established a national and international reputation with numerous performances, masterclasses, and conference presentations throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia. She has served as principal clarinet with the Norman Philharmonic and Wichita Symphony Orchestras and performs regularly as a member of Duo Iona and the Oak Trio, ensembles dedicated to the commissioning and performance of works for clarinet and trumpet and clarinet, trumpet, and trombone, respectively. Suzanne was recently nominated for the University of Oklahoma Regents “Award for Superior Teaching” and was a recipient of the Wichita State University College of Fine Arts Excellence in Teaching Award in 2009. Her students have been highly successful, winning positions with professional orchestras and military bands, serving on faculties at universities throughout the U.S. and Asia, and teaching K-12 music in top-level programs throughout the country.
Richard Tirk | Trumpet
Trumpeter and conductor Dr. Richard Tirk has performed on five continents and for as varied audiences from the King and Queen of Norway to the outdoor concert in the park crowd in Woodstock, Illinois, his hometown. In addition to solo performing, Tirk has been a member of several Midwest orchestras, opera orchestras, and jazz ensembles sharing the stage with artists such as Doc Severinsen, Bob Mintzer, and Joyce DiDonato. A sought after clinician, Dr. Tirk has given masterclasses across the U.S., Brazil, Haiti, and the British Isles. Richard has a music education degree from Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, and degrees in trumpet performance from Western Michigan University and Michigan State University. He currently teaches trumpet and directs the jazz program at Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
Benjamin Yates | Trombone
Trombonist and music educator Benjamin Yates teaches at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and at the Lutheran Summer Music Academy & Festival. Yates presents master classes throughout the U.S., Austria, Brazil, China, Japan, Dominican Republic, and the United Arab Emirates. He has performed internationally for touring chamber and orchestral ensembles, sharing the stage with Grammy winning ensembles, composers, and artists. Dr. Yates is a M&W Custom Trombones artist and a MADPipe trombone mouthpiece and lead pipe system artist.
Performances
International Trombone Festival
May 29- June 1
Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, TX
Luther College: Tuesday, October 3, 7:00pm, Noble Recital Hall. https://www.luther.edu/events/category/music
University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire: Wednesday, October 4, 7:00pm, Recital Hall. https://calendar.uwec.edu/day/date/20231004
