Dear Friends                                                       

As fall comes upon us, we look forward to an exciting new school year. We welcome an extraordinary group of new freshman and are thrilled to have them join the USU Music family.

We hope you will join us in our many thrilling upcoming events. Here are a few highlights: On September 24, the Fry Street Quartet presents a Bach Fugue, STQT by Tom McFaul, and Dvorak American Quartet. On September 25, the USU Bands present their annual Homecoming Band Concert in the Kent Concert Hall. The USU Symphony Orchestra performs in the Kent Concert Hall on October 8, followed by Autumn Voices presented by the USU Choirs on October 9. The USU Jazz Ensembles invite you to join them for their Big Band Jazz Concert on October 14, and, on October 22-24 and 28-31, the Music and Theatre Departments join forces to present Stephen Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd. On Saturday, November 7, the American Festival Chorus and Orchestra present an Evening of John Rutter followed by their Veteran’s Day Concert on November 11. For more information on our events and to purchase tickets, please click here.

We are also pleased to announce the newest members of our faculty.

Jason Nicholson, Assistant Professor, comes to us from North Carolina to head the Percussion Program. He received his DMA in percussion from the University of North Texas. From 2005 – 2008, he was a Graduate Teaching Fellow in percussion at UNT where he taught applied lessons, percussion methods and percussion ensemble. Jason was also a featured soloist with both the Graduate Percussion Ensemble as well the Wind Symphony (under the direction of Eugene Corporan), performing at the 2006 PASIC alongside Keiko Abe and the UNT Percussion faculty. In 2006, Jason was honored with the award for The Most Outstanding Graduate Student in Percussion and also served as the principle percussionist with the UNT Wind Symphony. Jason has been an active performer in orchestral, jazz, chamber, solo, pop and world genres throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami and Charlotte metropolitan regions. He has performed with notable groups such as the Charlotte Symphony, the Charlotte Philharmonic Orchestra, the Charlotte Repertory Big Band, the Charles Craig Jazz Trio and the Dallas Wind Symphony. In addition to his training on traditional Western percussion instruments, Jason has extensive experience in Afro-Cuban drumming and African Drumming. His solo debut in Logan will be on November 6, 2009, as soloist in the Schwantner Concerto for Solo Percussionist and Wind Orchestra.

Brooke Hirst, Lecturer, has held an administrative position for the Youth Conservatory at Utah State University for the past 12 years, and currently serves as Director of the Youth Conservatory in her position as Visiting Professor of Piano. Ms. Hirst received a B.M. degree in Piano Pedagogy in 2001, graduating Magna Cum Laude from USU. She has remained in Cache Valley since her graduation, and has served several part-time and adjunct positions for the Department of Music at USU. In her current position, she teaches Piano Literature, Ensemble & Accompanying, and Pedagogy Practicum, as well as applied lesson in piano. She continues to operate an active private studio of pre-college students, and her students have won top prizes in the USU Piano Festival and Keyboard Gymnastics competitions. Ms. Hirst was recognized by the Music Teacher’s National Association for her achievements in studio teaching as a recipient of the STAR award. She currently serves as an advisor to the Utah Music Teachers Association Northern Chapter. In the summer months, Ms. Hirst and her husband, Dennis Hirst, hold administrative positions for the Heifetz International Music Institute. Ms. Hirst currently serves as the Director of Faculty & Guest Relations for this organization.

Gregory Wheeler, Adjunct Assistant Professor, is from Logan, Utah, and upon receiving his teaching credentials taught in Rexburg, Idaho at Madison High School in his first teaching position. Thereafter, he and his family moved back to Cache Valley, and he has taught here for the past 30 years. He received his bachelors and masters degrees from Utah State University and completed his Ph. D. in Music Education at the University of Utah. He also studied saxophone and oboe at the University of North Texas. His Ph. D. focused on conducting, oboe performance, and music education. While at the University of Utah, he conducted the Symphonic Band and taught courses in music education. . He has been listed in Who’s Who Among American Teachers and has been recognized as teacher of the year three times in the Cache School District and was recognized Jr. High Teacher of the Year by Utah Music Educator’s Association. He has been recognized by MENC with the status of Nationally Registered Music Educator. Dr. Wheeler performs regularly as a freelance woodwind performer on all woodwind instruments. He adjudicates and works with school clinics on a regular basis throughout Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana. He has performed with the Crestmark Productions Big Band, Larry Smith Kicks Band, Kurt Bestor, Shirley Jones, Joe Diffy, Maureen McGovern, KSL Tailgate Band, Marie Osmond, Utah Festival Opera, Utah Musical Theater, Sun Valley Carolers, James Groutage, Jay Richards, Jazz Pudding, and most recently Way Way East Bay. He has served as Vice President of Jazz on the Utah Music Educator’s Association Board. Greg’s responsibilities at USU include courses in music education and symphonic and athletic bands.