Hannah Derick

Bio

Hannah Derick, is a recent graduate of Western Illinois University, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in trombone performance with a minor in music business. Hannah will be beginning her Master’s degree in Trombone Performance and Literature at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign this fall. She began her trombone playing career at the age of 11, and has participated in school band programs through middle school and high school. During her high school years, Hannah toured Europe and performed in several different countries including London, England, Crans-Montana, Switzerland, Seefeld, Austria, and Rothenberg, Germany as a part of the Illinois Ambassadors of Music.

Hannah has also been an active member in her local community performing at local high schools, nursing homes, and being part of the Maple City Band and the Geneseo Big Band, which are non-profit organizations in her hometown. These organizations perform throughout the summer months and help raise money for different organizations through ice cream socials. Hannah has participated in these organizations for over 7 years.

While obtaining her Bachelor’s degree, Hannah was a substitute trombonist with the Quincy Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Bruce Briney, principal trombonist of the Western Illinois University Wind Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Mike Fansler, lead trombonist of the Western Illinois University Jazz Studio Orchestra under the direction of Dr. John Cooper, and principal trombonist of the Western Illinois University Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Richard Hughey and Dr. Kenny Lee. While participating in Western Illinois University’s Jazz Studio Orchestra, Hannah had the opportunity to work with the great studio trombone artist Andy Matin, prominent jazz trumpet player Dan Miller and University of North Texas’ Alan Baylock. Hannah was also an honorable mention for the final round of the Western Illinois University Concerto and Aria competition in 2021.

Hannah enjoys participating in non-traditional instrument ensembles. She has participated in tenor trombone and oboe duets and tenor trombone, oboe and tenor sax trios. Hannah likes to take traditional pieces composed for traditional instrumentation and use instruments that have similar ranges to put them together in non-traditional ensembles. She also enjoys participating in trombone ensembles no matter the size.

Some of her most prominent mentors include Anthony Hernandez, Dr. Sam Keehn (Augustana College), and Professor John Mindeman (Western Illinois University). During her time at Western Illinois University Hannah also participated in masterclasses with the Tower Brass ensemble from Chicago, Andres Leon Rodriquez, the Chicago Thunderchops and Matt Martin of the New Chicago Brass.

In her spare time, Hannah enjoys reading, cooking, crocheting, and spending time with her many pets including 5 cats and 4 dogs split between her parents and herself.