Euan Edmonds received his Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance from Shepherd University, but before college, music was always an important part of Euan’s life. Learning that musical study was an option in college, he dedicated himself to music and the arts.
“Shepherd offered me a scholarship, and it was close to home and friends, so seemed like the right fit,” Euan said.
Great faculty like Dr. Mark McCoy, Fred Hughes, and Frank Gazda helped Euan develop discipline, a practice ethic, his approach to musicality and expression, and confidence. Highlights of Euan’s time at Shepherd include music program tours of Ireland and Italy, performances at the Montreux Jazz Festival and Carnegie Hall, playing with the Mecklenburg Brass Quintet, and experiencing great guest artists on campus like Kenny Werner, Claudio Roditi, and Walt Weiskopf.
Throughout his career, he has traveled from Russia to Mexico to China and has been fortunate enough to play with a wide variety of acts including The Temptations, the Glenn Miller Orchestra, and a year on the road performing the revival of the musical “The Pajama Game.”
Euan recently returned to the Washington, D.C. area playing trombone as a freelance musician and teaching at Shepherd. Before his return, he was living and playing in Chicago. During his years in Chicago, Euan had the privilege of working at a non-profit school, The People’s Music School, providing lessons, classes, and ensembles to children from across the city at no cost.
Euan is grateful for his time in Chicago and is excited for his future on the East Coast.
“It was a rewarding experience and education for me and is one of the highlights from my time in Chicago,” Euan said. “Now that I’m back on the East Coast, I am grateful to have the opportunity to teach jazz improvisation and theory at Shepherd.”
This past November, Euan released his album “Beyond Hope and Fear.” He leads a sextet of musicians from Chicago utilizing a less common horn combination of alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, and trombone, along with a rhythm section of piano, bass, and drums. This album highlights original compositions that explore different colors, forms, wide-open improvisational spaces, and memorable melodies. The album’s feature is a 30-minute suite titled “Beyond Hope and Fear,” which consists of three thematically related but contrasting compositions woven together with improvised interludes and is bookended by an introduction and epilogue.
While music is Euan’s passion and vocation, he also enjoys gardening, growing both flowers and vegetables.
The Shepherd University Alumni Association celebrates Euan’s artistic endeavors. Shepherd Students Succeed!