McLean resident Joe Broom, a junior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology, has won the U.S. Air Force Band’s Colonel George S. Howard Young Artist Competition for 2014. In addition, Broom recently learned he’s been selected as a finalist in the U.S. Marine Band Concerto Competition to be held next month.
“This was one of the best competitions we’ve ever had,” said Captain David Alpar, Officer in Charge of the U.S. Air Force Concert Band. “The level of play was very high. Joe’s performance was excellent — truly enjoyable.”
As winner, Broom will perform as a soloist with the U.S. Air Force Concert Band at a concert later this year.
“It’s a real thrill and an honor,” said Broom. “I can’t wait to perform with such an outstanding ensemble.”
Judges said Broom’s winning performance exhibited, “Great command of the instrument and wonderful artistry.”
Broom’s euphonium coach, UK-based international soloist Steven Mead, said, “Simply great news. I’m very proud of Joe. It’s another great success on which to build.”
For Broom, it’s the latest in a growing list of musical honors. In 2012, he won a seat in the National Symphony Orchestra Youth Fellowship program — the only euphonium player in the fellowship’s 34-year history. Last summer, he became the first consecutive winner of the International Euphonium Institute Festival (first, winning the student division, and then competing against adults to win the competition’s artist division).
In addition to performing, Broom, a member of the National Honor Society, shares his love of music by teaching a course he developed for Kent Gardens Elementary School’s Saturday STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Academy. Broom’s class, “Full STEAM Ahead: Adding the Arts to STEM,” uses music to teach science and math concepts, and marks the first time Kent Gardens has included the arts as part of its STEM series.
Broom performs regularly as a soloist and with local ensembles, including the Brass of Peace Scholarship Ensemble, directed by Sylvia Alimena, and the Capital Wind Symphony, under the baton of George Etheridge. Broom studies with Lee Rogers, principal trombone of the Washington National Opera, and UK-based international euphonium soloist Steven Mead.