On July 13, Morales-Matos played a 50 minute trombone solo from his latest CD, “Trombone Soirée”, at the annual International Trombone Festival (ITF). Despite the festival’s highly selective application process, this was Morales-Matos’ fourth year presenting in the recital.

“This past one was special,” Morales-Matos said.

ITF changes venues, audiences and its kind of repertoire every year. 2023’s festival at the University of Utah from July 12-15 welcomed crowds of international trombone professors and artists who Morales-Matos exchanged ideas, techniques, literature and recordings with.

He also met prospective Miami students who asked about the university’s music program.

“It was an opportunity to show our music department’s high standards,” Morales-Matos said.

Morales-Matos believes ITF chose him again because his CD features a diversity of music spanning Baroque to contemporary and shows various styles from a pedagogical perspective.

“I want to thank the music department and the College for Creative Arts for financially supporting my trip and CD recording,” Morales-Matos said. “Also, I would like to thank my music department colleagues that always encourage us to higher standards.”

In the meantime, Morales-Matos plans to showcase some of his repertoire at a faculty recital at Miami this fall. 

Watch Morales-Matos’ performance at ITF online!