NOVUS TROMBONE QUARTET from Rice University was announced as the winner of the competition and the group received their prize from Jiggs Whigham, representing the International Trombone Association.

The 2004 International Trombone Association Quartet Competition was held in Ithaca, NY in June. Novus was one of three ensembles selected for the final round out of twenty preliminary entries. The final round consisted of a performance in front an audience of festival participants and a panel of internationally renowned judges of one required work and a showpiece to be selected by the ensemble. For their performance Novus was awarded first prize and a check for one thousand dollars.

Previously announced winners include the Piedmont Trombone Society from Atlanta, Georgia, (winners of the Kai Winding Jazz Trombone Ensemble Competition) and the Texas Tech Trombone Choir.

Since the competition Novus has been approached by producer/arranger Kim
Scharnberg to create an album of new works written especially for the
ensemble. The CD will include compositions that follow the group's mission
of defying musical stereotypes while connecting with the mainstream
audience. Novus is also in the process of setting up performances of these
works around the country beginning later this year. Currently, they are
lining up performances at Penn State University, Ohio State University,
Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Lebanon Valley College, University of
Massachusetts, MIT, the University of Connecticut as well as at a number of
other schools. In the meantime, the group is preparing for the 2004
Koetsier Trombone Quartet Competition that will be held in Munich, Germany
this November.