#174: Stephen Wadsack | Audition Preparation

Stephen M. Wadsack serves as the Instructor of Trumpet and director of Wright State University's Jazz Studies program offerings. In addition to his responsibilities with the trumpet studio and jazz studies, Stephen teaches courses in music history, coaches chamber music ensembles, and serves as the coordinator of the Faculty Brass Quintet. Prior to his appointment at Wright State in the Fall of 2022, Wadsack previously served on the faculties of Wilmington College (OH), Thomas More University (KY), and the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). He is also a certified K-12 music educator, endorsed to teach instrumental, choral, and general music.

As a performer, Stephen regularly appears with a wide variety of ensembles throughout the tri-state area, ranging from major symphony orchestras to chamber music groups, jazz ensembles, and Baroque period performance groups. Recent credits include ensembles such as the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, Cincinnati May Festival, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Dayton Jazz Orchestra, Kentucky Baroque Trumpets, Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra (KY), Richmond Symphony Orchestra (IN), and Springfield Symphony Orchestra (OH). Wadsack is also in demand as a commercial/jazz trumpeter and recording artist; he can regularly be seen and heard performing in the live band at Kings Island amusement park, which entertains over 3.5 million guests over an 8-month season. Stephen has recently performed as a featured recitalist for the Troy-Hayner Center Soloist Recital Series, and as soloist with the Butler Philharmonic Orchestra (OH), Wright State University Treble Chorus, Round Lake High School Jazz Ensembles (IL), Wilmington High School Symphonic Band (OH), and the University of Wyoming Symphony Orchestra (WY). In the Fall of 2022, Stephen made his debut as a Guest Conductor with the North Platte District Honor Band in Casper, Wyoming.

As an academic researcher, Wadsack is published in both the International Trumpet Guild (ITG) Journal and Wyoming Windsong, the Wyoming Music Educators' Journal. In 2022, Stephen was invited to present research at both the 2022 North American Baroque Trumpet Conference and the 2022 ITG Conference; topics include a paper presentation on the trumpet nomenclature of J.S. Bach, as well as a presentation on the college audition process for prospective high school and graduate students pursuing a program in applied music. In addition to his appointment at Wright State, Wadsack maintains an active schedule as a guest artist/clinician for various high school, collegiate, and professional programs around the United States. To date, Stephen has engaged in residencies, masterclasses, and recitals at over 60 middle school, high school, and university music programs; he has also been a featured performing artist at numerous regional, state, and national music conferences.Outside of musical pursuits, Stephen enjoys connecting with friends, family, and current/former students. He is very passionate about the outdoors, hiking, fly fishing, distance running, and traveling to new places (especially National and State Parks). At home, Stephen regularly enjoys hosting board game nights, reading, all things coffee, and even brewing his own beer. He is also particularly proud of his Wyoming heritage (Go Pokes!). Stephen is happily married to his wife and "adventure partner", Casey, who is a certified social worker. Together, they have begun working to present research-based strategies on implementing trauma-informed pedagogy in the realm of higher education.