CHRISTOPHER M. NELSON
1590 NE Northwood Dr. #A104, Pullman, WA | 503-551-0030 | [email protected] | www.christophermnelson.com
EDUCATION
Washington State University, Pullman, WA
Master of Arts in Music Performance with Conducting Emphasis
• Winner of the 2014 College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding
Graduate Research Award for wind band orchestration of Nathan
Daughtrey’s Legacies, originally written for percussion ensemble,
accepted by C-Alan Publications to be published
• Graduate Teaching Assistantship including stipend and benefits
• Studying conducting with Dr. Danh Pham and Dr. Matthew Aubin
• Studying percussion with Professor David Jarvis
• Passed all music diagnostic exams including sight-singing,
dictation, piano proficiency, theory, and history
Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
B.M. in Music Education, Instrumental K-12 Emphasis
• Awarded music scholarship
• Conducting student of Dr. Donald Peterson and Dr. Kirt Saville
• Percussion student of Dr. Ronald Brough
• Principal percussionist of the BYU Wind Symphony
Expected May 2015
2012
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Washington State University
2013-2014
Graduate Teaching Assistant
• Guest Conductor for Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band
• Teaching Assistant and lecturer for Music 482 – Instrumental Conducting
• Teaching Assistant and guest lecturer for Music 470 – Secondary Music Methods
• Teaching Assistant and lecturer for Music 153 – Musical Style in Composition
• Teaching Assistant for Music 262 – Rock Music: History and Social Analysis
Westlake High School, Saratoga Springs, UT
Assistant Director of Bands
• Directed the Concert Band, Beginning Jazz Band
• Assistant Director of the Westlake Marching Thunder, Utah’s 2012
and 2013 4A State Champion and Bands of America St. George
Regional Finalist
• Directed Percussion Ensemble I & II – qualified for the State
Ensemble Festival in inaugural year
• Taught Music Appreciation – curriculum available upon request
2012 – 2013
CHRISTOPHER M. NELSON
Alpine Online High School, Alpine, UT
Music Instructor
• Responsible for assessing online music appreciation students
• Utilized Brain Honey educational software to administer curriculum
• Quadrupled music appreciation enrollment from first semester to second
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2012 – 2013
Maple Mountain High School, Spanish Fork, UT
Co-Director of Percussion
2010 – 2012
• Co-Directed the Maple Mountain High School Indoor Drumline
• Awarded Third Place in Open Class at 2011 IMPA State Championships
• Awarded Second Place in Open Class at 2012 IMPA State Championships
• Front Ensemble Arranger and Instructor for the Maple Mountain
High School Marching Band
• Swept 2011 UMEA Marching Band “Best Percussion” Awards in 3A division
CONDUCTING EXPERIENCE
Washington State University
Washington State University Symphonic Wind Ensemble
• Conducting Assistant to Dr. Danh T. Pham, Director of Bands,
Washington State University
• Repertoire Conducted in Seminar:
- Serenade in B-flat major, “Gran Partita”, K. 361/370a,
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- Lincolnshire Posy, Percy A. Grainger
- “Petite Symphony”, Op. 216, Charles Gounod
- Spiel, Ernst Toch
- Suite Francaise, Darius Milhaud
• Repertoire Conducted in rehearsal:
- Mannin Veen, Haydn Wood
- Mvt. IV, “Gallop”, from First Suite for Band, Alfred Reed
- To Set the Darkness Echoing, Dana Wilson
- Molly on the Shore, Percy A. Grainger
- Symphony VI, “Symphony for Band”, Vincent Persichetti
• Repertoire conducted in performance:
- Early Light, Carolyn Bremer
- First Suite in E-flat, Gustav Holst
- Ghost Train, Eric Whitacre
- Lauds, Ron Nelson
- Legacies, Nathan Daughtrey, orch. Christopher M. Nelson
(expected April 2015)
2013 – present
CHRISTOPHER M. NELSON
PAGE 3
Washington State University Symphonic Band
• Teaching Assistant for Dr. Troy Bennefield, Associate Director
of Bands, Washington State University
• Repertoire Conducted in Performance:
- “In the Forest of the King”, Pierre LaPlante
- “Twilight in the Wilderness”, Christopher Tucker
2013 – present
Washington State University Percussion Ensemble
• Graduate Assistant to Professor David Jarvis, Director,
Washington State University Percussion Ensemble
• Repertoire Conducted in Rehearsal:
- “Timecraft”, Hilton Kean Jones
- “Stained Glass”, David Gillingham
- “Primal Worlds”, Dana Wilson
• Repertoire Conducted in Performance:
- “Legacies”, Nathan Daughtrey
- “Keystone Capers”, Thomas Brown
- “Cyclone”, Jim Casella
2013 – present
University of Texas Art of Wind Band Conducting Symposium
Full Participant
• Selected as one of twelve participants from an international pool
• Clinicians include Jerry F. Junkin (University of Texas), H. Robert
Reynolds (University of Michigan, University of Southern California),
Richard Floyd (University of Texas), Robert Carnochan (University of
Texas), Scott Hannah (University of Texas), Anthony Marinello
(University of Texas)
• Repertoire conducted:
- Mvt. VII, Rondo, Serenade in B-flat major, “Gran Partita”,
K. 361/370a, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- Mvt. III, Adagio, Serenade in B-flat major, “Gran Partita”,
K. 361/370a, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- Serenade in E-flat major, Op. 7, Richard Strauss
- “O Magnum Mysterium”, Morton Lauridsen, arr. H. Robert Reynolds
Community Band of the Palouse
Guest Conductor
• Repertoire Rehearsed:
- “Sempre Fidelis”, John P. Sousa
- “Celebration Fanfare” Steven Reineke
- “March of the Toys”, Victor Herbert
- “Norad Defenders”, Albert O. Davis
2014
2014
CHRISTOPHER M. NELSON
Westlake High School
Westlake High School Concert Band
• Director of the Concert Band (Assistant Director of Bands)
• Repertoire performed includes:
- “Big Four”, Karl King
- “Overture on a Shaker Tune”, John Higgins
- “Morning Mist”, Robert Sheldon
- “The Light Eternal”, James Swearingen
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2012 – 2013
Westlake High School Symphonic Band
• Guest Conductor for Symphonic Band
• Repertoire performed includes:
- “Liberty Bell”, John P. Sousa
- “A Christmas Festival”, Leroy Anderson
2012 – 2013
Westlake High School Wind Ensemble
• Guest Conductor for Wind Ensemble
• Repertoire performed includes:
- “New Mexico March”, John P. Sousa
- “Shenandoah”, Frank Ticheli
2012 – 2013
COMPOSITIONS, ARRANGEMENTS, AND DESIGN
C. Alan Publications
Legacies for Wind Band
• Orchestration of Nathan Daughtrey's percussion ensemble work Legacies
• Fully approved by the composer, who found it "imaginative and sensitive"
• Expected release, May 2015
• Will receive its world premiere by the Washington State University
Symphonic Wind Ensemble, on the campus of Washington State
University, April 16, 2016 with Nathan Daughtrey in residence
Wayfaring Stranger for Wind Band
• Original setting of the American folk tune
• Premiered on Oct. 9, 2014, on the campus of Washington State University,
by the Washington State University Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Dr. Danh
T. Pham, Conductor
• Will receive its Japanese premiere by the Musashino Academy of Music
under the baton of Ray E. Cramer at the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall
on December 17, 2014
2014
2014
CHRISTOPHER M. NELSON
•
PAGE 5
Other scheduled performances:
- Alpine School District Honor Band, Orem High School, Orem,
Utah, November 15, 2014
- The University of Hawaii Laboratory School Band on the campus
of the University of Hawaii, Manoa, Hawaii, December 11, 2014
- Kaiser High School Symphonic Band, Honolulu, Hawaii,
December 13, 2014
- Gem State Honor Band on the campus of Idaho State University,
Pocatello, Idaho, January 29, 2015
- Washington State University Symphonic Wind Ensemble under
the baton of Ray E. Cramer, February 11, 2015
- Oregon State University Symphonic Band, on the campus of
Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, March 2, 2015
- Texas Women’s University Concert Band, Denton, Texas,
April of 2015
Westlake High School, Saratoga Springs, UT
Percussion Arranger, Visual Design Team
• 2012 and 2013 Utah 4A State Champion shows
• Arranged front ensemble and battery percussion music for the
WHS Marching Band – winner of multiple “Best Percussion”
awards in 2012 and 2013
• Member of Show Design Team, responsible for
developing visual concepts including drill and prop
design
Winslow High School, Winslow, AZ
Percussion Arranger
• Arranged percussion music for Winslow High School Marching
Band
• Accommodated Winslow’s unique need for an all front ensemble
percussion book – incorporated battery and “pit” parts into one
score due to the lack of any marching battery instruments on field
Winslow High School, Winslow, AZ
Percussion Arranger
• Arranged Percussion music for the Winslow High School
Marching Band
• Arranged both front ensemble and battery parts, and composed
original percussion feature
2012-2014
Fall 2013
Fall 2014
CHRISTOPHER M. NELSON
Maple Mountain High School, Spanish Fork, UT
Percussion Arranger
• Arranged front ensemble music for MMHS Marching
Band
• Completed a season sweep of “Best Percussion” awards in
the 3A Division
Percussion Composer, Visual Designer
• Composed original music and drill for MMHS Indoor
Drumline
• Awarded Second Place at the 2012 Inter-Mountain
Percussion Association Championships, Open division
• Show performed at Winter Guard International 2012 Corona, CA
Regional
Percussion Arranger
• Arranged front ensemble music for the MMHS Marching
Band
• Awarded “Best Percussion” in 3A division at every
competition attended
Percussion Composer, Visual Designer
• Composed original music and drill for MMHS Indoor
Drumline
• Awarded “Best Musical Performance” and “Best Visual Performance”
South County Percussion, Payson, UT
Percussion Composer, Show Concept Designer
• Composed original music and show concept for
Independent “Open Class” South County Percussion
McNary High School, Keizer, OR
Percussion Composer
• Composed original music and show concept for McNary
High School Indoor Drumline
PAGE 6
Fall 2012
Winter 2012
Fall 2011
Winter 2011
Winter 2012
Winter 2010
PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE
Washington State University Symphonic Wind Ensemble –
Dr. Danh T. Pham, Conductor
Principal Percussionist
• Member of Washington State University’s top wind band and served
as principal percussionist for entire tenure in this group
• Performances include a Gershwin Gala Concert at Benaroya
Hall in Seattle, Washington May 15, 2014, and the 2014 Festival of
Contemporary Art Music, with Composer in Residence Dana Wilson
2013 – present
CHRISTOPHER M. NELSON
Washington State University Percussion Ensemble – David Jarvis, Director
Percussionist
• Repertoire performed includes the following:
- Legacies by Nathan Daughtrey
- Primal Worlds by Dana Wilson
- Stained Glass by David Gillingham
- Swords of Moda Ling by Gordon Peters
- Stubernic by Mark Ford
- Ballet Mecanique by George Antheil
- Timecraft by Hilton Kean Jones
Utah Premiere Brass, Pleasant Grove, UT – Dr. Kirt Saville, Music Director
Percussionist
• Performing on a variety of percussion instruments for
Utah’s only British Style Brass Band
• Performances include concert settings, festivals, and live
radio broadcasts
BYU-TV, Provo, Utah
Recording Studio Percussionist
• Recorded for BYU-TV Sports – international television
network
Brigham Young University Wind Ensemble – Dr. David
Blackinton, Dr. Donald Peterson, Conductors
Percussionist, Principal
• Member of the BYU Band Program’s top concert band,
and served as Principal Percussionist from 2010-2011
• Performances include 2006 and 2010 CBDNA Western
Conference in Reno, NV, as well as live television and
radio broadcasts
Brigham Young University Philharmonic Orchestra –
Kory Katseanes, Conductor
Percussion Section Member
• Member of BYU’s top Symphony Orchestra percussion
section
• Performed on live television broadcasts, and on the
internationally distributed DVD and CD, “A Pilgrim’s Journey
Home” on the Tantara Record Label
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2013 – present
2011 – 2013
2011 - 2012
2006, 2009-2011
2008-2009
CHRISTOPHER M. NELSON
Brigham Young University Percussion Ensemble – Dr. Ronald
Brough, Artistic Director
Percussionist
• Performed with Michael Burritt for 2010 Utah PAS Day of
Percussion
Fusion Indoor Percussion
Tenor Section
• Performed as a member of the tenor section of this WGI
Independent Open Class enemble
• Won the 2005 NWMBC Indoor Independent Open
Championship
Piano Performance
• Completed over 11 years of private piano study
• Nominated for the Iva F. Turner Award for Outstanding Piano
Performance, Salem, OR
• Accumulated 14 consecutive superior ratings in National
Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC) Junior Piano Festivals
in areas of piano solo, piano duo, piano concerto, and music
theory
• Awarded 6 NFMC Gold Cup Awards for consecutive festival
superior ratings
• Repertoire performed includes:
- Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major, K. 488, Wolfgang Amadeus
Mozart
- Claire de Lune, from Suite Begamasque, Claude Debussy
- Etude in G minor, Op. 33, No. 8, Sergei Rachmaninoff
- Piano Concerto No. 11 in D major, Hob XVIII – 11, Franz
Joseph Haydn
- Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Hob XVIII – 2, Franz Joseph
Haydn
- Prelude in E minor, Op. 28, No. 4, Frederic Chopin
PAGE 8
2005-2006, 2008-2011
2005
1994-2005
2003
1995-2005
1997-2005
BOARD / ADJUDICATION EXPERIENCE
The Battalion Drum and Bugle Corps – Provo, Utah
Board Member, Board of Directors
• Duties include grant writing, public school outreach, and
sponsorships
• First scheduled tour to take place in summer of 2016
2014
CHRISTOPHER M. NELSON
Spokane Preview Showcase
Percussion Clinician
• Clinician for front ensembles
• Provided written and visual feedback
Inter-Mountain Percussion Association, Utah
Board Member
• Organized adjudicator transportation, hosting, and
training
• Responsible for education outreach for member directors –
organized show design clinics
• Served as timing and rules judge at multiple indoor
drumline competitions
Adjudicator
• Adjudicated Music General Effect at IMPA Circuit show
Maple Mountain High School, Spanish Fork, UT
Guest Adjudicator
• Adjudicated percussion and chamber pieces at school
solo/ensemble festival
Vista Heights Middle School, Saratoga Springs, UT
Guest Adjudicator
• Adjudicated percussion solos and chamber works at
school solo/ensemble festival
PAGE 9
2014
2012
2012
2011
2013
OTHER RELATED EXPERIENCE
Missionary Training Center, Provo, UT
Audio / Visual Technician and Graphics Designer
• Became experienced and proficient in professional audio
and video recording standards and technology
• Created broadcast graphics with Adobe Creative Suite
Proficient with Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop,
Premiere, Encore, Audition, and InDesign
Proficient in the use of Sibelius Music Notation Software,
and Pyware 3D Drill Design Software
2009-2012
CHRISTOPHER M. NELSON
PAGE 10
MEMBERSHIPS
National Association for Music Education
Washington Music Educators Association
Utah Music Educators Association
National Band Association
Percussive Arts Society
2008 - Present
2014
2008 – 2013
2012 – Present
2005 – Present
CONFERENCES AND SYMPOSIUMS ATTENDED / REGISTERED
The Art of Wind Band Conducting Symposium, Austin, TX
• Accepted as one of 12 participants from a nationwide pool
• Clinicians included H. Robert Reynolds and Jerry F. Junkin
• Symposium held on University of Texas at Austin campus
The Midwest Clinic, Chicago, IL
Percussive Arts Society International Convention
Utah Music Educators Association Convention, St. George, UT
Washington Music Educators Association, Yakima, WA
Western International Band Clinic, Seattle, WA
• Member of Intercollegiate Honor Band
Yamaha Sounds of Summer Marching Clinic, American Fork, UT
University of Oregon Marching Clinic, Eugene, OR
2014
2012, 2013, registered 2015
2003, 2011
2010 – 2012
2014, expected 2015
2013
2012
2004, 2005
OTHER PERSONAL INFORMATION
•
•
•
Served as a full-time volunteer missionary for the Church of
Jesus Chris of Latter-day Saints based in Cincinnati, Ohio
Awarded the rank of Eagle Scout from the Boy Scouts of America
Video conducting portfolio available at www.christophermnelson.com,
as well as scholarly papers and scores of original compositions
2006 - 2008
2005