Ross Holcombe

Ross Holcombe is the Associate Principal Trombonist of The Florida Orchestra, a position he has held since 2018.  He also serves as Music Director of the Tampa Brass Band, Tampa’s premiere British-style brass ensemble. Previously, Ross has held positions as the Principal Trombonist of the Spokane Symphony Orchestra, Associate Principal Trombonist of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra, and Second Trombonist of the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra. During the summer Ross performs as Principal Trombonist of the Bellingham Festival of Music.

Additional orchestral engagements include performances as guest Principal Trombonist with the Seattle Symphony, Sarasota Orchestra, Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Lakes Area Music Festival. Ross has also performed with the Utah, Vancouver, Oregon, and Albany Symphonies, as well as the Naples Philharmonic, Rhode Island Philharmonic, United States Coast Guard Band, and Academy of St Martin in the Fields. Ross has appeared as a soloist with The Florida Orchestra, Spokane Symphony, Gonzaga Wind Symphony, and the New England Conservatory Symphonic Winds.

Ross serves on the faculty of the University of South Florida where he teaches studio lessons and conducts the trombone choir. He also maintains a private studio in the Tampa Bay area; his students are regularly accepted to top university and conservatory music programs. Ross has previously served on the faculties of Florida Southern, Whitworth, Gonzaga, and Eastern Washington Universities. In addition, Ross has been invited to give guest masterclasses and recitals at schools across the country, including Duquesne University, University of Florida, University of Southern Mississippi, Boise State University, Central Washington University, University of Montana, Washington State University, and University of Tennessee at Martin.

As a composer and arranger, Ross’s music has been commissioned and performed by ensembles throughout the United States including The Florida Orchestra, the New England Conservatory Symphonic Winds, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, TFO Brass, NEC Trombone Choir, Vermont Symphony Brass Quintet, and the Atlantic Brass Quintet. His music is published by Cherry Classics. As a recording artist, Ross can be heard on commercially available releases from the Seattle Symphony, Vermont Symphony, Jordan Winds, and the Frequency Band. Additionally, he can be heard on the soundtracks to numerous video games, motion pictures, and theme park attractions from producers including Sony Pictures, Blizzard Entertainment, Warner Brothers, Electronic Arts, and the Walt Disney Company.

Ross received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the New England Conservatory, where his primary teacher was Norman Bolter. His other teachers include Grady McGrannahan, Joseph Frye, and Dale Moore. Ross also attended the Pacific Music Festival, National Orchestral Institute, National Repertory Orchestra, and Tanglewood Music Center.

Outside of his musical career, Ross is an avid cyclist, disc golfer, and backpacker. He lives in Tampa with his wife, Emily, and their two dogs, Sydney and Billie.