Ian Schwalbe

Ian Schwalbe is a composer and trombonist from Alpharetta, Georgia. He often draws inspiration from his own love of photography, and is an avid believer in the power of storytelling. Ian is a graduate from the University of South Carolina, where he studied composition with John Fitz Rogers and Fang Man, and trombone with Michael Wilkinson. He is currently studying as a graduate assistant for his M.M. in composition at Florida State University. 

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As a composer, Ian enjoys writing works for brass instruments, as well as for chamber and large ensembles. He is the 2023 and 2024 winner of the British Trombone Society composer’s competition, and has had works performed by the trombone choirs at Columbus State University, the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, and the University of South Carolina. He has had chamber music works performed or recorded by Decoda, the Wet Ink Ensemble, the Atlantic Music Festival Contemporary Ensemble, the Collective at the University of South Carolina, the MAGE Tuba-Euphonium Quartet, FSU’s Polymorphia Ensemble, and more. He has had his music for large ensembles performed by the Webb Bridge Middle School Symphonic Band at the Georgia Music Educators Association at the University of Georgia, as well as by the South Carolina and UGA Brass Bands. 

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As a performer, Ian has performed with a variety of ensembles, including the USC Wind Ensemble, USC Symphony, USC Trombone Choir, and the South Carolina Brass Band. He was also a member of the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps.