Ball State University

• State: Indiana
• State School (public)
• School Website
• Map Link

Joel Braun, bass faculty

• • Email Joel
  • Joel’s Website

General Statistics

• • US News Ranking: #176 (tie) in National Universities
  • US News Overall Score (out of 100): 32
  • In-State Tuition & Fees 2016-17: $9,654
  • Out-of-State Tuition & Fees 2016-17: $25,428
  • Room & Board 2016-17: $9,936
  • Total Enrollment: 21,196
  • Acceptance Rate (from 2015): 61%
  • Student – Faculty Ratio: 14:1
  • 4 year graduation rate: 41%
  • % of undergrads receiving Financial aid: 65%
  • Average Financial Aid: $5,590

Double Bass Statistics

• Average number of undergraduate bass students: 10
• Average number of graduate bass students: 1-2
• Studio Class, Orchestral Repertoire Class, Bass Ensembles, Mixed Chamber Ensembles

What Alumni Are Doing

• Artist Diploma Student at University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music
• Master’s Student in Edwin Barker’s studio at Boston University

Perspectives from the Bass Faculty

Q: What are some of your favorite experiences teaching at your school?

A: Hearing the classes and recitals of some of the outstanding guests that visit every year to work with the bass studio! Recent guest artists include: Alex Hanna (Chicago Symphony), Owen Lee (Cincinnati Symphony), Brendan Kane (MET Opera), Max Dimoff (Cleveland Orchestra), Jeremy Kurtz-Harris (San Diego Symphony), Eugene Levinson (Juilliard), and Michael Cameron (University of Illinois).

Over the past several years, the bass studio has developed a unique relationship with Ball State’s Sports and Exercise Psychology Program (recently ranked No. 15 in the nation). On a bi-weekly basis, graduate students from the Sports and Exercise Psychology Program work with the bass studio to develop skills in mental activation, practice, confidence, focus, resilience, and more.

About The Bass Faculty

Joel Braun is Associate Professor of Double Bass at Ball State University (BSU). As an orchestral musician, he has performed with many of the world’s leading orchestras, including: the New York Philharmonic, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Israel Philharmonic, the New York City Ballet Orchestra, and the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. He currently serves as double bass faculty and assistant principal bass of the Eastern Music Festival and as section bass with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic.

As a soloist and chamber musician, Joel has performed recent recitals at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Michigan State University, the Eastman School of Music, and the University of North Carolina Greensboro. He has collaborated with such nationally recognized musicians as pianist Awadagin Pratt and principal players of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera Orchestra. He is a frequent collaborator with the members of the American Piano Trio and can be heard regularly in solo and chamber music performances at Ball State University and throughout the mid-west.

As an educator, Joel has presented recent master classes at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, Michigan State University, the Cleveland Institute of Music, the University of Oregon, the Eastern Music Festival, and the Interlochen Center for the Arts. He has held faculty positions at The Juilliard School Pre-College Division, New York City’s Special Music School at the Kaufman Center, the Benefic Chamber Music Camp, the Music For All National Festival, and the Music For All Summer Symposium.

Joel studied with Eugene Levinson at The Juilliard School where he earned a Pre-College Diploma and his B.M. and M.M. degrees. He lives in Muncie, IN with his wife and son.