Vernon D. Howard

Vernon Howard

Applied Professor of MusicDirector of Jazz StudiesLorton Performance Center 1010
(918)631-2130
Vernon-howard@utulsa.edu

Professor Vernon Howard received his Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music Education degrees from the University of Tulsa. He has done additional academic work at Indiana University with Thomas Beversdorf, Robert Shaw, and David Baker.  Equally comfortable in symphonic, jazz, and popular music settings, his work as a trombonist and electric bassist has included performances with the Fort Smith Symphony, Tulsa Philharmonic, Tulsa Opera, Oklahoma Sinfonia, as well as concert and cabaret appearances with Nancy Wilson, Billy Eckstein, Joe Williams, The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Doc Severinson, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra Jr., and many others.

In addition to his work at the University of Tulsa where he is instructor of trombone and Director of Jazz Studies, Professor Howard has also served as coordinator of the Summer Jazz Studies Program at the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Interlochen, Michigan, since 1975 through 2009. His work at Interlochen has included numerous concerts and workshops with such jazz luminaries as Benny Goodman, The Count Basie, Milt Jackson, Curtis Fuller, Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich, Milt Hinton, Wynton Marsalis and many others.

Professor Howard is in frequent demand regionally and nationally for his work as a jazz educator, adjudicator and clinician. Many of his former students are active and visible in today’s jazz and popular music genres including, Eldar Djangirov, jazz pianist; Walter White, trumpet/composer with Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra; Conrad Herwig, trombonist/composer with the Mingus Band; Byron Stripling, lead trumpet with Count Basie Orchestra; and Norah Jones, vocalist/pianist. Both Eldar Djangirov and Norah Jones have recently received Grammy awards for their recording projects.

Professor Howard is an active member of the International Association of Jazz Educators and serves on the Board of Directors of the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame. He is also on the Executive Board and is Vice President of Local 94, American Federation of Musicians.

Education and Degrees Earned

  • Master of Music Education, 1975
    • School of Music, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma
  • Independent Study, 1974
    • School of Music, University of Indiana, Bloomington, Indiana
  • Bachelor of Music Education, 1973
    • School of Music, University of Tulsa, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Areas of Academic Specialty

  • Jazz Studies
  • Trombone

Previous Teaching Experience

  • Director of Instrumental Music, 1985-1990
    • Holland Hall School, Tulsa, Oklahoma

    Previous Relevant Work Experience

    • Coordinator of Summer Jazz Studies, 1975-Present
      • Interlochen Center for the Arts, Interlochen, Michigan
    • Trombonist
      • Tulsa Philharmonic Orchestra
    • Trombonist
      • Fort Smith Symphony
    • Miscellaneous concert and cabaret performances including work with the following artists:
      • Doc Severenson, Billy Eckstein, B.B. King, Temptations, Four Tops, Mel Torme, Frank Sinatra Jr., Louis Bellson, Dianne Schuur, Henry Mancini, Joe Williams, Nancy Wilson, Ella Fitzgerald, Liza Minnelli, Ellis Marsalis, Clark Terry, Tommy Dorsey Band, and many others.

    Professional Affiliations

    • Executive Board, Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame
    • American Federation of Musicians, Local 94, Vice President and Executive Board
    • International Trombone Association
    • International Association of Jazz Educators
    • Music Educators National Conference
    • Oklahoma Music Educators Association

    Courses Taught at TU

    • Jazz Workshop (MUS 0061-0063)
    • Trombone (MUS 0611-3)
    • Ear Training Lab I, II, III, IV (MUS 1011, 1021, 2011, 2021)
    • Jazz: Mirror of American Society (MUS 1043)
    • Introduction to Composition I and II (MUS 2182, 2192)
    • Jazz Pedagogy (MUS 4393)
    • Brass Instrument Methods (MUS 4822)
    • Senior Seminar (MUS 4973)
    • Independent Study (MUS 4991-3)

    Awards & Recognition

    • HONOR BAND – 2007 Convention of the Oklahoma Music Educators Association, University of Tulsa Jazz Band.
    • SUPERIOR RATING – 2007 North Texas Jazz Festival, Addison Texas, University of Tulsa Jazz Band.
    • HONOR BAND – 2005 Convention of the Oklahoma Music Educators Association, University of Tulsa Jazz Band.
    • HONOR VOCAL JAZZ ENSEMBLE – 1998 Convention of the Oklahoma Music Educators Association, University of Tulsa vocal jazz ensemble “InTUition”.
    • SUPERIOR RATING – 2005 Wichita National Jazz Festival, University of Tulsa Jazz Band.
    • HONOR BAND – 1997 Convention of the Oklahoma Music Educators Association, University of Tulsa Jazz Band.
    • SUPERIOR RATING – 1995 Wichita National Jazz Festival, University of Tulsa Jazz Band.
    • HONOR BAND – 1995 Convention of the Oklahoma Music Educators Association, University of Tulsa Jazz Band.
    • HONOR BAND – 1993 Convention of the Oklahoma Music Educators Association, University of Tulsa Jazz Band.
    • 1st PLACE – 1992 Kansas City Jazz Festival, University of Tulsa Jazz Band.