Testimonials | Ilan's website

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Ilan Morgenstern is an incredibly facile and powerful trombonist who captures your attention when he plays. Ilan is extremely thoughtful in everything he does, treating every discussion as a learning workshop for both himself and others. He gracefully offers his opinions while encouraging feedback to build his own knowledge base...and he asks more questions than his students! As a result, his classes are engaging and challenging without being intimidating. When you hear Ilan play, you think, "I'd like to be able to do that!" Then he tells you how... you can't beat that!
Scott Hartman, Yale University

"It took until the 1980s for the world to experience its first trombone soloist, a musician truly captivating enough to generate an audience that would promote a career as a full-time soloist. I believe the world may be witnessing its first bass trombone soloist! Ilan Morgenstern possesses an inspiring combination of virtuosity without limitation, married with boundless colorful expression. Also, rather than trodding the traditional path of performing cannon standards or transcriptions, he is a heavy-weight champion of original and creative compositions by current and living composers!"

John S. Neurohr , Assistant Professor of Trombone, Central Washington University

"Ilan Morgenstern is one of the finest bass trombonists out there. Everything he performed was at the highest possible level, including some fascinating new solo works and compositions for bass trombone and fixed media. A special treat was that Ilan brought many of his new Morningstar mutes so that everyone could try them out. These things are fantastic! The response and intonation is excellent throughout. I absolutely loved the aluminum bottom straight and cup mutes. I can’t wait to get them in and put them to use!"

Jonathan Allen, Assistant Professor of Trombone, University of Iowa

"I had the pleasure of hosting Ilan Morgenstern as a featured guest artist at the WIU Trombone Festival in January of 2025. Not only is his musicianship and teaching ability at a clearly elite level, he also possesses a genuine interest in providing help and guidance to the students he interacts with. He left a strong impression with everyone that attended and I am already looking forward to our next collaboration!" - Jett M. Walker, Assistant Professor of Trombone, Western Illinois University

"Everything about Ilan's approach is inspiring, thoughtful, encouraging, fresh, and amazing! When he visited my university, he displayed his virtuosity as a soloist, his mastery as a teacher, his mission as a musician (and as a human being), and his infectious personality with white-hot enthusiasm. Everyone missed him the instant he was gone!"
Sean Reed, Associate Professor of Trombone, Arkansas Tech University

"It was an absolute thrill to host internationally-acclaimed bass trombonist Ilan Morgenstern for a two-day residency at Portland State University. His electrifying solo recital showcased awe-inspiring artistry and musicianship, while his masterclass and individual lessons sparked fresh inspiration and motivation in students and many who attended"
Li Kuang, Assistant Professor of Tromobne, Portland State University,

What a pleasure it was to host Ilan Morgenstern at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Ilan provided an excellent opportunity to students, by connecting with individual students during one-on-one lessons, supporting students, and providing opportunities in the masterclass and recital to think about music making, professional performance, and literature. Ilan was personal, professional, and positive. We had a great experience, the students learned so much in a short time, Ilan worked from plane wheels down until he left Lafayette 14 hours later. I also had a great time hanging out!
Benjamin Yates, Associate Professor of Music at University of Louisiana at Lafayette