Ian Schwalbe

Ian Schwalbe is a composer and trombonist from Alpharetta, Georgia. He is a passionate storyteller through his music, and often draws inspiration from the true stories of people throughout history, as well as other subjects such as mathematics and his love of photography. 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 with Clifton Callender and Liliya Ugay. 

​

As a composer, Ian specializes in writing works for brass instruments, but frequently enjoys writing for other 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, the University of South Carolina, Florida State University, and the University of Georgia. 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. His music for large ensembles has been 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, UGA, Huntsville, and Florida Brass Bands. 

​

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.