Nicholas Bissen www.nicholasbissen.com 2140 Pearl St. #106, Nacogdoches, TX 75965 | (660) 238-2637 | [email protected] Education Master of Music | April 2017 | University of Cincinnati: College – Conservatory of Music · Major: Saxophone Performance · Major Professors: James Bunte, Nathan Nabb – Saxophone and Angela Holt - Conducting Bachelor of Music Education | July 2015 | University of Central Missouri · Major: Instrumental Music Education · Major Professors: James Gai – Saxophone, and Jacob Sentgeorge - Voice
Teaching Experience Founder, Conductor, and Arranger | Behemothic Saxophone Ensemble | Jan 2016 – April 2016 · Conduct and rehearse ensemble · Arrange works for saxophone ensemble · Perform concerts with local high school students · Reinforce technique taught in lessons in large ensemble setting · Advocate for and premiere new works for saxophone ensemble Conductor| Larry A. Ryle High School | October 2016 – April 2016 · Conduct and rehearse the Ryle High School Saxophone Ensemble · Reinforce individual technique within a large ensemble setting Woodwind Technician| Anderson High School | August 2016 – April 2016 · Establish and maintain fundamental concepts of tone production, instrument technique, and music literacy · Run large woodwind sectionals, and individual sectionals · Reinforce musical and physical technique on the field during full band rehearsals Student Teacher | Blue Springs South School District | January – May 2015 · Conduct and rehearse the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, and Concert Band · Conduct and rehearse the Percussion Ensemble · Conduct and rehearse the Jazz Band · Conduct and rehearse the 6h grade Clarinet Class · Conduct and rehearse the 6th grade Trombone Class Music Director | Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Men’s Music Fraternity | 2012-2014 · Conduct and rehearse the ΦMA Men’s Chorus twice a week, an hour each rehearsal · Perform an hour long concert every semester · Perform off campus at area high schools, nursing homes and hospitals · Collaborate with ΣAI yearly for one hour long on campus concert with off campus performances Undergraduate Student Director | University of Central Missouri Marching Mules | Fall 2014 · Liaison between faculty and student leadership · Organize student leadership through goal driven objectives · Lead large woodwind sectionals (Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone) · Reinforce physical and musical technique during full band rehearsals · Assist and organize leadership through setup/teardown of rehearsal space and game day space · Boost student morale via rousing motivational strategies Assistant Basketball Pep Band Director | Lee’s Summit High School | Nov 2013 – Jan 2014 · Conduct and rehearse the Lee’s Summit High School Basketball Pep Band · Lead the band through Men’s and Women’s home basketball games Saxophone Technician | Lee’s Summit School District | August 2014 · Teach Saxophone for Lee’s Summit, and Lee’s Summit North High Schools · Teach saxophone students concepts of tone production, technique, and music literacy · Teach saxophone students audition music for upcoming district band auditions Senior Assistant | University of Central Missouri Marching Mules | Fall 2013 · Lead Large Woodwind Sectionals (Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone) · Reinforce physical and musical technique during full band rehearsals · Assist in the setup and teardown of rehearsal spaces and game day spaces · Assist in office/organizational duties of maintaining a marching band Saxophone Technician | Grain Valley High School | June 2012 – Nov 2013 · Establish and maintain fundamental concepts of tone production, instrument technique, and music literacy · Run saxophone sectionals · Reinforce musical and physical technique on the field during full band rehearsals Saxophone Clinician | Lone Jack High School, Lone Jack MO | March 2013 · Provide individual assistance to the saxophone section in preparation for large ensemble competition Saxophone Clinician | Higginsville High School, Higginsville MO | March 2013 · Provide individual assistance to the saxophone section in preparation for large ensemble competition Saxophone Clinician | North Kansas City High School, Kansas City MO | March 2012 · Provide individual assistance to the saxophone section in preparation for large ensemble competition
Page 2 Performance Experience SOLO Guest Artist Series, “Cabinet of Curiosities: The Saxophone Music of Matthew Browne.” University of Cincinnati, College – Conservatory of Music: Cincinnati, OH – April 5th, 2017. Piece performed include Browne’s Three Doggerel Dances. Michael Delfín, piano
Performance of Dahl’s Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble at North American Saxophone Alliance Region V, at Indiana University – Purdue University Fort Wayne for masterclass, featuring Kenneth Tse on March 3rd, 2017. Hyun Ji, Piano
Performance of Dahl’s Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble at North American Saxophone Alliance Region V, at Indiana University – Purdue University Fort Wayne with Hyun Ji Oh at the piano on March 4th, 2017.
Master’s Recital at Urban Artifact: Cincinnati, OH – February 25th, 2017. Pieces performed include Dahl’s Concerto for Alto Saxophone, Galante’s Saxsounds III, Cockcroft’s Kuku, and Yoshimatsu’s Fuzzy Bird Sonata. Hyun Ji Oh, piano, James Bunte, saxophone.
Master’s Recital at the University of Cincinnati, College – Conservatory of Music: Cincinnati, OH – March 4th, 2016. Pieces performed include Dubois’s Concerto, Mellits’s Tachychardia, Mobberley’s Spontaneous Combustion, and Glazunov’s Concerto in E- flat Major. Roomee Lee, Piano, Katelyn Stessman, Saxophone.
Senior Recital 2.0 at the University of Central Missouri – Hart Recital Hall: Warrensburg, MO – November 11th, 2014. Pieces performed include Bonneau’s Piece Concertante dans l-esprit “Jazz,” Ewazen’s Classical Concerto from Tenor Saxophone and Orchestra, Stulman’s Brahma Viharas, and Yoshimatsu’s Fuzzy Bird Sonata. Denise Robinson, piano
Senior Recital at the University of Central Missouri – Hart Recital Hall: Warrensburg, MO – April 4th, 2014. Pieces performed include Milhaud’s Scaramouche, Creston’s Sonata Op. 19, Ornstein’s Ballade, Bozza’s Improvisation and Caprice, and Ibert’s Concertino da Camera. Gustavo Castro-Ramirez, piano.
UCM Symphony Orchestra Concerto and Aria Competition Winner’s Concert at the University of Central Missouri in Hart Recital Hall – February 20th, 2013. Piece performed includes Ward’s Concerto for Tenor Saxophone. Nicholas Bissen – Tenor Saxophone. UCM Symphony Orchestra – Directed by John Rutland
Page 3 Performance at the University Symphony Orchestra Concerto/Aria Competition at the University of Central Missouri in Hart Recital Hall – November 30th, 2012. Piece performed includes Ward’s Concerto for Tenor Saxophone. Nicholas Bissen – Tenor Sax, Andrew Stephens - Piano
Sophomore Saxophone Recital at the University of Central Missouri – Hart Recital Hall: Warrensburg, MO – March 26th, 2012. Pieces performed include Bach’s Sonata no. IV BWV 1033, Fiocco’s Concerto, Rossini’s Cavatina, from The Barber of Seville, Coolidge’s Weeping Dancer, and DiPasquale’s Sonata.
Page 4 CHAMBER Impetuoso Saxophone Quartet performs for Katie Stessman’s Master’s Recital at the University of Cincinnati, College – Conservatory of Music, Werner Recital Hall: Cincinnati, OH – Feb 23rd, 2017. Pieces performed include Leszczynski’s, They Might Be God’s, and Lago’s Tokyo. Katelyn Stessman, Soprano Sax, Minjun Jo, Alto Sax, Wenbo Yin, Tenor Sax, Nicholas Bissen, Baritone Sax.
Impetuoso Saxophone Quartet performs for Nicholas Bissen’s Master’s Recital at Urban Artifact: Cincinnati, OH – February 25th, 2017. Pieces performed include Bach’s Chaconne from Partita no. 2, arranged by Yasuhide Ito. Katelyn Stessman, Soprano Sax, Minjun Jo, Alto Sax, Wenbo Yin, Tenor Sax, Nicholas Bissen, Baritone Sax.
Impetuoso Saxophone Quartet Performs for the Navy Band International Saxophone Symposium at George Mason University: Fairfax, VA – January 6th, 2017. Pieces performed include Leszczynski’s They Might Be Gods, Bach’s Chaconne from Partita no. 2, arranged by Yasuhide Ito, and Lago’s Tokyo. Katelyn Stessman, Soprano Sax, Minjun Jo, Alto Sax, Wenbo Yin, Tenor Sax, Nicholas Bissen, Baritone Sax.
Impetuoso Saxophone Quartet performs for Classical Revolution Cincinnati: Forces of Nature at the Northside Tavern: Cincinnati, OH – January 8th. Pieces performed include Leszczynski’s They Might Be Gods, Bach’s Chaconne from Partita no. 2, arranged by Yasuhide Ito, and Lago’s Tokyo. Katelyn Stessman, Soprano Sax, Minjun Jo, Alto Sax, Wenbo Yin, Tenor Sax, Nicholas Bissen, Baritone Sax.
Impetuoso Saxophone Quartet performs for the MTNA Ohio State Auditions at the Oberlin Conservatory: Oberlin, OH – October 15th, 2016. Pieces performed include Leszczynski’s They Might Be Gods, Bach’s Chaconne from Partita no. 2, arranged by Yasuhide Ito, Selections from Lago’s Ciudades: Cordoba, Sarajevo, and Addis Ababa, and Mackey’s Unquiet Spirits mvt III. Katelyn Stessman, Soprano Sax, Minjun Jo, Alto Sax, Wenbo Yin, Tenor Sax, Nicholas Bissen, Baritone Sax.
Impetuoso Saxophone Quartet performs recital at Ascension & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church: Cincinnati, OH – October 13th, 2016. Pieces performed include Leszczynski’s They Might Be Gods, Bach’s Chaconne from Partita no. 2, arranged by Yasuhide Ito, Selections from Lago’s Ciudades: Cordoba, Sarajevo, and Addis Ababa, and Mackey’s Unquiet Spirits mvt III. Katelyn Stessman, Soprano Sax, Minjun Jo, Alto Sax, Wenbo Yin, Tenor Sax, Nicholas Bissen, Baritone Sax.
Impetuoso Saxophone Quartet performs two recitals for classes at Anderson High School: Cincinnati, OH – October 13th, 2016. Pieces performed include Leszczynski’s They Might Be Gods, Bach’s Chaconne from Partita no. 2, arranged by Yasuhide Ito, Selections from Lago’s Ciudades: Cordoba, Sarajevo, and Addis Ababa, and Mackey’s Unquiet Spirits mvt III. Katelyn Stessman, Soprano Sax, Minjun Jo, Alto Sax, Wenbo Yin, Tenor Sax, Nicholas Bissen, Baritone Sax.
Page 5 Mythril Saxophone Quartet performs for CCM Audition day at the University of Cincinnati, College – Conservatory of Music: Cincinnati, OH – February 19th, 2015. Pieces performed include Ticheli’s Backburner. Nicholas Bissen - Soprano Sax, Joseph Tomasso - Alto Sax, Royce Files – Tenor Sax, Curtis Holtgrefe – Baritone Sax.
Mythril Saxophone Quartet performs recital at Ascension & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church: Cincinnati, OH – February 7th, 2015. Pieces performed include Beethoven’s Piano Sonata no 21. “Waldstein” mvt I, arranged by Nicholas Bissen, Ligheti’s Six Bagatelles, arranged by Johnny Salinas, Nyman’s Songs for Tony, and Ticheli’s Backburner. Nicholas Bissen - Soprano Sax, Joseph Tomasso - Alto Sax, Royce Files – Tenor Sax, Curtis Holtgrefe – Baritone Sax.
Essig Saxophone Quartet performs recital at the University of Central Missouri – Hart Recital Hall: Warrensburg, MO – April 19th, 2015. Pieces performed include Kanno’s Sax Quartet, Street’s Tango, Moulds’s Danza: El que bailo con el Diablo, Gershwin’s An American in Paris arr Nigel Woods, and Maslanka’s Recitation Book. Nicholas Bissen – Soprano Sax, Zach Terrell – Alto Sax, Justin Conklin – Tenor Sax, Austin Welhoff – Baritone Sax.
Essig Saxophone Quartet performs recital at the University of Central Misouri – Hart Recital Hall: Warrensburg, MO – April 24th, 2014. Pieces performed include Beethoven’s Piano Sonata no 21. “Waldstein” mvt I, arranged by Nicholas Bissen, Torke’s July, Handel’s Arrival of the Queen of Sheba, Bach’s Badinerie from Suite No. 2, BWV 1067, Bozza’s Andante et Scherzo. and Woods’s Three Improvisations. Nicholas Bissen – Soprano Sax, Zach Terrell – Alto Sax, Justin Conklin – Tenor Sax, Austin Welhoff – Baritone Sax.
Performance with UCM Chamber Winds at the University of Central Missouri in Hart Recital Hall: Warrensburg, MO – November 21st, 2013. Piece performed includes Osmon’s “Zeraim” from the Book of Ruth. Nicholas Bissen – Soprano Sax, Caitlin Walker – Mezzo Soprano, Christopher Huls – Conductor of the UCM Chamber Winds.
UCM Saxophone Quartet performs at the University of Central Missouri in Hart Recital Hall: Warrensburg, MO – Aprill 11th, 2013. Pieces performed include Ligeti’s Sechs Bagatellen, Bozza’s Andante et Scherzo, Pitts’s Turbo Scramjet for Saxophone Quartet, and Goodwin’s Diffusion for Saxophone Quartet. Justin Robinson – Soprano Sax, Jeremy Lappert – Alto Sax, Justin Conklin – Tenor Sax, Nicholas Bissen – Baritone Sax.
UCM Saxophone Quartet performs duo recital with Flöterwonkers at the University of Central Missouri – Hart Recital Hall: Warrensburg MO – April 11th, 2012. Pieces performed include d’Rivera’s The New York Suite, and Desenclos’s Quatour. Justin Robinson – Soprano Sax, Paris Rucker – Alto Sax, Thomas Hobbs – Tenor Sax, Nicholas Bissen – Baritone Sax.
Page 6 UCM Saxophone Quartet performs recital at the University of Central Missouri – Hart Recital Hall: Warrensburg, MO – November 2nd, 2011. Pieces Performed include Handel’s Arrival of the Queen of Sheba from Solomon, Piazzolla’s Histoire du Tango, Desenclos’s Quatour, and Pierne’s Introduction et Variations sure une Ronde Populaire. Justin Robinson – Soprano Sax, Paris Rucker – Alto Sax, Thomas Hobbs – Tenor Sax, Nicholas Bissen – Baritone Sax.
UCM Saxophone Quartet performs on Concert IV of the UCM New Music Festival at the University of Central Missouri – Hart Recital Hall: Warrensburg, MO – April 9th, 2011. Piece performed was Adrienne Albert’s Eastern Hymn. Justin Robinson – Soprano Sax, Paris Rucker – Alto Sax, Thomas Hobbs – Tenor Sax, Nicholas Bissen – Baritone Sax.
PIT ORCHESTRA Production of “A Chorus Line.” University of Cincinnati, College – Conservatory of Music: Cincinnati, OH – October 20th – 30th 2016. Played the Reed I book: Clarinet, Alto Sax
Production of “ The Wedding Singer,” University of Central Missouri: Warrensburg, MO – October 8th – 12th 2014. Played the Reed 2 book: Flute, Oboe, English Horn, Tenor Sax, Bari Sax
Production of “Pirates of Penzance,” University of Central Missouri: Warrensburg, MO – October 9th – 13th 2013. Played the Reed 2a book: Clarinet, Alto Sax, Bass Clarinet
Production of “The Drowsy Chaperone,” University of Central Missouri: Warrensburg, MO – October 3rd – 7th, 2012. Played the Reed 4 book: Bass Clarinet, Bari Sax, Clarinet
Production of “A Chorus Line,” University of Central Missouri: Warrensburg, MO – October 6th – 10th. Played the Reed 4 book: Bari Sax, Bassoon, Clarinet
CONDUCTING CCM Outreach Chamber Ensemble performs at First Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, OH – April 2nd, 2017. Pieces performed include Mozart’s Overture to Marriage of Figaro for Wind Octet, and Krommer’s Partita-Octet in F major Op. 57. Nicholas Bissen – Conductor
CCM Outreach Chamber Ensemble performs at One Way Farm in Cincinnati, OH – February 26th, 2017. Pieces performed include Beethoven’s Rondino and Mozart’s Overture to Marriage of Figaro for Wind Octet. Nicholas Bissen – Conductor
Conducts the University of Central Missouri Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band for the UCM Conductor’s Symposium in Warrensburg, MO from February 10th – 12th, 2017. Pieces performed include Presti’s Elegie for a Young American, and Holst’s First Suite in E flat. Nicholas Bissen – Conductor
Page 7 Larry A. Ryle High School Saxophone Ensemble performs at the University of Cincinnati: College – Conservatory of Music in Werner Recital Hall on December 5th, 2016. Pieces performed include Bozza’s Aria arr for Saxophone Ensemble by Jim Daughters, and Mendelssohn’s Capriccio for String Quartet, Op 81 arr by Bruce Evans. Nicholas Bissen – Conductor
CCM Behemothic Saxophone Ensemble performs at the University of Cincinnati: College – Conservatory of Music in Werner Recital Hall on December 5th, 2016. Pieces performed include Mozart’s Allegro, from Symphony No. 41 arr Nicholas Bissen, Duran’s haiku (world premiere), and Garrett’s From a Dark Place. Nicholas Bissen – Conductor, James Bunte – Conductor, Carly Hood – Conductor.
CCM Behemothic Saxophone Ensemble performs at the University of Cincinnati: College – Conservatory of Music in Mary Emery Hall on April 25th, 2016. Pieces performed include Dvorak’s Allegro con Fuoco from Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op 95 arr Noah Getz, Lauridsen’s Les Chansons Des Roses arr Nicholas Bissen, and Strauss’s Einleitung, oder Sonnenaufgang from Also Sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 arr Nicholas Bissen. Jonathon Torsak – Conductor, Nicholas Bissen – Conductor.
Phi Mu Alpha – Epsilon Gamma Chapter performs at the University of Central Missouri in Hart Recital Hall – Warrensburg, MO on December 4th, 2014. Pieces performed include Beethoven’s Sinfonia Hymn arr Charles Bennet, Traditional Brother to Brother, Wilson’s Songs are Best at Candlelight, Ross’s Light your Pipe,Fay’s Vive L’Amour, Greig’s Brothers, Sing On! Schmidt’s Lux Aeterna and Dawson’s Ain’a That Good News. Nicholas Bissen – Music Director and Conductor
Phi Mu Alpha & Sigma Alpha Iota perform at the University of Central Missouri in Hart Recital Hall – Warrensburg, MO on November 12th, 2014. Pieces performed include Whitacre’s Lux Aurumque, and Rachmaninoff’s Bogoroditse Devo. Nicholas Bissen – Music Director and Conductor.
Phi Mu Alpha – Epsilon Gamma Chapter performs at the University of Central Missouri in Hart Recital Hall – Warrensburg, MO on April 12th, 2014. Pieces performed include Key and Smith’s The Star Spangled Banner arr Robert Ross, Bates’s America the Beautiful arr Robert Ross, Wilson’s Let Me Call You Sweetheart arr Burt Szabo, Grieg’s Brothers, Sing On! Arr Howard Mckinney, Foster’s Gentle Annie arr Robert Shaw, Giallombardo’s Sure on this Shining Night, and Shank’s The Boy Who Picked Up His Feet To Fly. Nicholas Bissen – Music Director and Conductor, Dr. Gustavo Castro- Ramirez – Piano.
Page 8 Phi Mu Alpha – Epsilon Gamma Chapter performs at the University of Central Missouri in Hart Recital Hall – Warrensburg, MO on December 4th, 2013. Pieces performed include Traditional, Brother to Brother, Wilson’s Songs are Best at Candlelight, Fay’s Vive L’Amour, Beethoven’s Sinfonia Hymn arr Charles Bennet, Ross’s Light Your Pipe, Clausen’s Set me as a Seal, and Greig’s Brothers, Sing On! Nicholas Bissen – Music Director and Conductor
Phi Mu Alpha & Sigma Alpha Iota perform at the University of Central Missouri in Hart Recital Hall – Warrensburg, MO on November 20th, 2013. Pieces performed include Chilcott’s Steal Away and Foster’s Nelly Bly arr Jack Halloran. Nicholas Bissen – Music Director and Conductor
Phi Mu Alpha – Epsilon Gamma Chapter performs at the University of Central Missouri in Hart Recital Hall – Warrensburg, MO on April 10th, 2013. Pieces performed include Traditional Brother to Brother, Harris and Wilson’s Songs are Best at Candlelight, Fay’s Vive L’Amour, Ross’s Light Your Pipe, Grieg’s Brothers, Sing On! and Mozart’s Ave Verum Corpus arr Nicholas Bissen. Music Director and Conductor – Nicholas Bissen.
Phi Mu Alpha – Epsilon Gamma Chapter performs at the University of Central Missouri in Hart Recital Hall – Warrensburg MO on November 14th, 2012. Pieces performed include Beethoven’s Sinfonia Hymn arr Charles Bennet, Key and Smith’s The Star Spangled Banner arr Robert Ross, Fay’s Vive L’Amour, Grieg’s Brother’s Sing On! Knecht’s Manly Men: A Men’s Chorus Extravaganza, Dawson’s Soon-ah Will be Done, traditional Battle Hymn of the Republic arr Timothy Billingsley, and Martin’s Sing Your Way Home. Music Director and Conductor – Nicholas Bissen
Phi Mu Alpha – Epsilon Gamma Chapter performs at the University of Central Missouri in Hart Recital Hall – Warrensburg MO on April 21st, 2012. Pieces performed include Beethoven’s Sinfonia Hymn arr Charles Bennet, Key and Smith’s The Star Spangled Banner arr Robert Ross, Grieg’s Brothers, Sing On! Ross’s Light Your Pipe, Fay’s Vive L’Amour, Rogers’s A Serenade to a Girl, Whitacre’s Lux Aurumque, and Bonner and Gordon’s Happy Together arr Krista Carlson and David Wright. Nicholas Bissen – Music Director and Conductor
Page 9 Arrangements Sonata for Violin and Piano – Enrique Granados For soprano saxophone and piano
Oblivion – Astor Piazzolla For two soprano or two alto saxophones and piano
The Flower Duet from Lakme – Leo Delibes For two soprano or two alto saxophones and piano
Sonata for Flute and Piano – Francis Poulenc For alto saxophone and piano
Concerto in A Minor – Antonio Vivaldi For soprano saxophone and piano
Allegro from Symphony No. 41 “Jupiter” – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart For saxophone ensemble
Les Chansons Des Roses – Morten Lauridsen For saxophone ensemble
Einleitung, Oder Sonnenaufgang from Also Sprach Zarathustra – Richard Strauss For saxophone ensemble
Allegro Vivace from Sonata No. 21 in C Major, “Waldstein” – Ludwig Van Beethoven For saxophone quartet
Ave Verum Corpus - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart For men’s chorus and saxophone quartet
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