"I was fascinated by it. I told my dad, ‘I think I’d like to play that,’” Wagner said.
His father — a musician "who farmed to earn a living rather than the other way around” — took note. Two weeks later he had both an instrument and a teacher for his son.
"It was quite remarkable really. Not only was there a trombone teacher in this little town, he was quite good, a very credible musician,” Wagner said.
Thus began Wagner’s relationship with an instrument some consider cumbersome and one not for the faint of breath.
"The trombone is not an easy instrument to play, especially for a little person. Dallas Finch (his teacher) took a look at me and said, ‘well, I think he’s husky enough to play the trombone,’” Wagner said.
"On the inside, he must have been thrilled that someone in that little town wanted to learn the trombone, but he was cool about it. He wanted to make sure I could do it first,” he said.
Today, Wagner is internationally known for his expertise on the trombone. A David Ross Boyd and Regents music professor at University of Oklahoma, he is also director of the 26-member OU Trombone Choir.
The choir — and Wagner — are celebrating 40 years of music at OU this year. In honor of the occasion, the choir will present a free concert at 8 p.m. today in Sharp Concert Hall at Catlett Music Center, 500 W Boyd St. It is open to the public.
The group specializes in performing music originally written for trombone ensembles dating from the 15th century to the present. It will perform styles from the Renaissance to jazz and avant garde.
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