Faculty Profile for Dr. Martin G McCain

profile photo for Dr. Martin G McCain
Dr. Martin G McCain
Professor — School of Music
MUS 248
phone: (512) 245-1870

Biography Section

Biography and Education

Bass trombonist Martin McCain’s career spans an impressive range of musical genres. He is a four-time winner of the Global Music Awards and was featured as their “Emerging Artist” in Billboard magazine. A third-generation musician, Martin maintains a versatile performance schedule as a soloist, recording artist, chamber, orchestral, jazz/commercial musician and educator. With performances described as "solid and masterful," (International Trombone Association Journal) with a “warm and beautiful,” tone (Glissando Magazine).

McCain’s international recital credits include concerts at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory (Singapore), Mahidol University in (Thailand), the Zagreb Academy of Music in (Croatia), and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. His performances and arrangements have been broadcast on CKWR Toronto, Radio Television Hong Kong, and NPR's "Performance Today." As a recording artist, Martin has released three solo CDs, Trombone Czar: Russian Treasures Recorded Live! (2012), Shades (2014) and Trombone Czar: The Extended Version (2015). He can be heard on Summit Records, Naxos and numerous film and videogame soundtracks.

As a soloist, Martin has performed with the Croatian Army Wind Band, United States Army Concert Band "Pershing's Own", the United States Army Brass Quintet, Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra, Kingsville, Symphony Orchestra and the Balcones Chamber Orchestra. Martin is a prizewinner in multiple competitions including the International Trombone Association's Donald Yaxley Solo Bass Trombone Competition, the Kai Winding Jazz Trombone Ensemble Competition, in addition to the American Trombone Workshop's National Bass Trombone Solo Competition and Jazz Trombone Ensemble Competition.

As an orchestral musician, McCain regularly performs with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, the San Antonio Symphony, and the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed with the Utah Symphony Orchestra, Austin Symphony, IRIS Orchestra and numerous regional orchestras. As a chamber musician, Martin is a member of the Minor 4th Trombone Quartet and the Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass. Martin regularly performs with his wife, pianist Artina McCain as the McCain Duo.

As a jazz/commercial musician, McCain is the leader of the award-winning Austin based jazz trombone ensemble, JazzBonez. He has performed with the legendary Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, Frank Sinatra Jr. Orchestra, Memphis Jazz Orchestra, Jim Waller Big Band, N.O.W. Jazz Orchestra and numerous national touring ensembles. He has also performed with several broadway touring shows including Hello Dolly, Lion King, Wicked, The Color Purple, and Motown.

Martin is an Artist/Teacher of Trombone and the youngest faculty member to hold the rank of full professor at Texas State University. He held similar positions at Henderson State University and Huston-Tillotson University. Dr. McCain’s students have also been extremely successful in solo and ensemble competitions including those hosted by the International Trombone Association, the American Trombone Workshop, and the Big 12 Trombone Conference and are regular winners of the Texas State University concerto competition. In recognition of his teaching, Martin received the College Achievement Award in Teaching and the Presidential Distinction Award for Excellence in Teaching. His students have been accepted into some of the nation's most prestigious graduate programs such as the Juilliard School, Eastman School of Music, Yale University, Northwestern University, Manhattan School of Music and the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. In addition to his duties at Texas State, Martin has spent summers on the faculty of the Austin Chamber Music Festival, the Interharmony International Music Festival (Italy), the PRIZM International Chamber Music Festival, the SliderAsia Music Festival (Hong Kong) and the English Brass Academy (Croatia).

Martin McCain is a performing artist for S.E. Shires, Reunion Blues Gig Bags and plays on the "McCain" signature mouthpiece series manufactured by Pickett Brass. In his spare time, Martin is an avid BBQ pitmaster and sports enthusiast.

For more information, visit www.martinmccain.com.

Teaching Interests

Trombone
Trombone Choir
Chamber Music
Entrepreneurship

Research Interests

The Role of the Bass Trombone in Big Band
Trombone Choir Literature
Jazz Trombone Ensemble Literature

Selected Scholarly/Creative Work

  • Headlining artist, International Trombone Festival. July 2022 - Present.
  • Guest Performer, Oxford University (England) Recital. November 2022.
  • Guest Performer, University of Toronto Recital. October 2022.
  • Guest Performer, Recital at the Cleveland Institute of Music. September 2022.
  • Bass Trombone, Hollywood Bowl Performance - Re-Collective Orchestra. June 2022.

Selected Awards

  • Award / Honor Nominee: Presidential Award in Scholary, Creative Activity. December 10, 2019 - February 2020
  • Award / Honor Nominee: Presidential Award in Teaching. December 10, 2019 - February 2020
  • Award / Honor Recipient: College Achievement Award in Teaching, College of Fine Arts and Communication. August 1, 2019
  • Award / Honor Nominee: Presidential Award of Excellence. December 17, 2018 - February 1, 2019
  • Award / Honor Nominee: Presidential Award of Excellence. December 17, 2018 - February 1, 2019

Selected Grants

  • McCain, Martin G. Research Enhancement Program, Texas State University, $7765. (Submitted: January 2013, Funded: May 2014). Grant.
  • McCain, Martin G (Principal). Research Enhancement Program, Texas State University, $8000. (Funded: January 2020 - Present). Grant.
  • McCain, Martin G. Research Enhancement Program, Texas State University, $8000. (Submitted: October 2014, Funded: January 2015 - May 2016). Grant.

Selected Service Activities

Member
Executive Personnel Committee
August 2022-Present
Area Coordinator
Brass Area Coordinator
August 2022-Present
Member
Public Relations Committee
August 2022-Present
Board Member
KMFA Community Advisory Board
August 2019-Present
Organizer
Sights and Sounds of Christmas - Texas State Trombone Choir
December 1, 2017-Present