Russell Sharp, a native of Oklahoma City, OK, joined the “President’s Own” United States Marine Band in December 2016. Mr. Sharp performs with the Marine Band and Marine Chamber Orchestra at the White House, in the Washington, D.C., area, and across the country during the band’s annual concert tour and has been a featured soloist with the Marine Band numerous times. Prior to joining the “President’s Own”, Russell was a member of the United States Naval Academy Band from 2007 to 2016. He was named Principal Trombone of the Naval Academy Band in 2011. He earned a Bachelor of Music from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2005 and a Master of Music in Trombone Performance from the Wanda L. Bass School of Music-Oklahoma City University in 2007. He has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra, Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra, Richmond Symphony Orchestra, Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, Maryland Symphony Orchestra, Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Opera, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, Tulsa Ballet, and is a member of the Washington Trombone Ensemble.
As an active clinician and soloist, he has performed solos, recitals, and masterclasses throughout the U.S., including the Oklahoma State University, University of Oklahoma, University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, University of Kentucky, University of Maryland, Delaware University, James Madison University, Towson University, George Mason University, Catholic University of America, and the John F. Kennedy Center Millennium Center Stage. Additionally, Mr. Sharp performed at the 2013 International Trombone Festival in Columbus, GA as part of the Washington Trombone Ensemble.
Russell is the recipient of multiple awards, including the 2010 Eastern Trombone Workshop Division III National Solo Competition, when he performed Brian Lynn’s Doolallynastics: A Brief Torture for Trombone, and was a finalist at the 2005 International Trombone Association Trombone Quartet Competition in New Orleans, LA.