Ross Holcombe

Ross Holcombe is the Associate Principal Trombonist of The Florida Orchestra, a position he has held since 2018. Previously, Ross was the Principal Trombonist of the Spokane Symphony Orchestra for seven seasons, and Associate Principal Trombonist of the Vermont Symphony Orchestra for nine seasons. During the summer Ross performs with the Bellingham Festival Orchestra.

Additional orchestral engagements include performances as guest Principal Trombonist with the Seattle Symphony, Sarasota, and Boston Philharmonic Orchestras. 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 as well as at the Eastern Trombone Workshop with the Frequency Band. An avid chamber musician, Ross is a founding member of the Spokane Brass Quintet and performs regularly on recital series across Tampa Bay. As a composer and arranger for brass, Ross’s music has been commissioned and performed by brass quintets, brass ensembles, and trombone choirs throughout the United States. His music is published by Cherry Classics.

Ross is currently on the faculty of Hillsborough Community College. Previously, he served on the faculties of Whitworth, Gonzaga, and Eastern Washington Universities. Ross also maintains a private studio in the Tampa Bay area; his students are regularly accepted to top university and conservatory music programs. In addition, Ross has been invited to give guest masterclasses and recitals at schools across the country, including Duquesne University, the University of Southern Mississippi, Boise State University, University of South Florida, Central Washington University, University of Montana, Washington State University, University of Tennessee at Martin, and others.

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 such as 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 John Drew, Grady McGrannahan, Joseph Frye, and Dale Moore. Ross has also received fellowships to attend the Pacific Music Festival, National Orchestral Institute, National Repertory Orchestra, and the 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.