Anthony (Tony) Sanders

Bio

Dr. Anthony (Tony) Sanders is a professional trumpeter and music educator based in Kentucky. Originally from Brooten, MN, Sanders is also a collaborative pianist, organist, and conductor. Dr. Sanders is a newly-appointed Assistant Professor of Music at Morehead State University in Kentucky, where he teaches applied trumpet, directs the Concert Band, and performs with the Baird Brass Quintet.

Dr. Sanders formerly served the music departments at Winona State University in Minnesota, Luther College in Decorah, IA, and Mitchell Community College in Statesville, NC. Sanders has been performing in The King’s Brass ensemble since 2022, which tours nationally during the summer, December, and January.

Prior to his graduate studies, Sanders taught fifth through twelfth-grade band and choir in Browerville, MN and performed extensively for musical organizations in central Minnesota. Sanders studied classical piano for nine years as a child, and through his work as a collaborative pianist, he has developed a specialized skill of teaching trumpet students from the keyboard. Going beyond solo accompaniment, he coaches students on their trumpet techniques while encouraging them to craft their own unique performances. Sanders’ dissertation research has yielded a new resource for undergraduate trumpet students, entitled Key Collaborations: A Duo Practice Method for Trumpet and Piano. Though currently in development, the method encourages trumpet students to practice together, creates an outlet for their developing piano proficiency skills, and facilitates playing/tuning with a piano on a regular basis. Sanders presented Key Collaborations at the Virtual ITG Conference in June 2021.

A versatile musician, Sanders enjoys performing in both classical and jazz genres and is an active freelancer. Recent highlights include performing with the Charlotte Symphony Brass Quintet, Shostakovich Symphony No. 7 with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, and a performance of J.S. Bach’s BWV 51 on Baroque Trumpet. Outside of his trumpet work, Sanders has served numerous churches through music ministry both as a weekly worship leader and as a freelance substitute. Sanders performs on equipment by Yamaha, Schilke, Parke, and Pickett Brass.

Sanders holds degrees from The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (DMA), North Dakota State University (MM), and Concordia College in Moorhead, MN (BM).