Trombone
Bear Irwin began teaching instrumental music in 1970, and has returned to teach instrumental music at Mill River Union High School in the Fall of 2003. Before returning to Mill River Union High School, Mr. Irwin taught vocal and/or instrumental music at Enosburg Falls Junior - Senior High School & Elementary School, Bakersfield Middle School, Montgomery Elementary School ('70 - '74 & '84 - '92), Middlebury Union Junior and Senior High School ('74 - '76 ), Mill River Union High School ('92 -'98), and Rutland Town School ('98 - '03). Bear also taught Senior High Methods and Brass Methods on the Adjunct Faculty of Johnson State College and Castleton State College. Bear has done graduate work at UVM, Central Connecticut State University, and Plymouth State College, studying with James Swearingen, Robert W. Smith, Anne McGinty, Jack Stamp, Richard Derosa, Craig Kirchoff, and H. Robert Reynolds. Mr. Irwin has served on the Vermont Music Educators Association Executive Board as District Divisions Coordinator (1989-2001) and as President (since July, 2001), and he has served as Vice President ('90-'95) and President ('95-'98) of the International Association of Jazz Educators Vermont Unit.
Bear was the Manager of the Vermont All State Music Festival Jazz Ensemble from 2000 to 2004 and has been a Staff Member/Clinician/Conductor at Jazz Vermont since 1984. Mr. Irwin is among the Educators presented the Outstanding Vermont Teacher Award by the University of Vermont (1986 & 2000), and was named Vermont Educator of the Year by the Vermont VFW Auxiliary in 2000. Bear organized, manages and plays Lead Trombone for the Vermont Jazz Ensemble (since 1976), and he also performs with Satin 'n' Steel, Stolen Moments, Moments Notice, Doctor Burma, Catamount Brass, and other ensembles throughout Vermont, while guest conducting or doing workshops and clinics several times per year.