On May 23, 2011, Craig Watson received a Master Degree in Bass Trombone Performance from Yale University School of Music. The graduation was the culmination of a two-year course of study at Yale, paid for by a full scholarship.
Craig has had many ‘once in a lifetime’ experiences during his time at Yale, including an all expense paid trip to Turkey touring with the Yale Symphony Orchestra and a trip to the 100 Year, 100 Trombones Festival in Colombia, South America as a faculty member and performer. He also performed at Carnegie Hall in New York on three separate occasions with the Yale Philharmonia, the yale Symphony Orchestra and a special concert for the Oral History of American Music.
Craig also performed extensively with the Yale Trombone Quartet. Other musicians in the group include Jennifer Griggs of Nashville, Ruben Rodriguez of Bogota of Colombia, South America and Brian Reese of Alpharetta, Ga.
Watson, the son of Russell and Jill Watson of Smithville, is a 2002 graduate of DeKalb County High School and received his undergraduate degree from Tennessee Technological University in 2008. He is married to the former Abby Good, a 2004 graduate of DeKalb County High School and a 2008 graduate of TTU. While in New Haven, she has supported Craig while working at New Haven Central Hospital for Veterinary Medicine, where she is a Client Liaison and discharge nurse.
Craig and Abby will be moving to Hattiesburg, Miss in July where Craig has been awarded a teaching assistantship at the University of Southern Mississippi. He will be pursuing a Doctor of Musical Art degree.