A Trombone Handbook for the Secondary School Jazz Ensemble Director serves as a resource that addresses important elements for understanding and improving the performance level and contribution of the trombone section within the secondary school jazz ensemble. It is written for directors with little experience or with limited knowledge of specific aspects about trombone playing; and little experience with the challenges that trombonists face within the jazz ensemble. It contains detailed information that will benefit experienced directors as well regarding sound production, equipment, intonation, and articulation. The appendices include frequently asked questions, director resource list, listening suggestions, and a trombone model comparison chart.

This dissertation is in two parts. Chapters one and two provide the study, and chapters three through six are the handbook. The study reviews the most current and best known handbooks and manuals for the jazz ensemble director from the perspective of how they consider the trombone. Also reviewed are theses, dissertations and articles that address aspects of playing trombone within a jazz ensemble. The author draws on his professional experience as an educator and his extensive experience as a professional trombonist to derive much of the information contained in the handbook.