The State University of New York at Fredonia

Kieran Hanlon, bass faculty

General Statistics

  • US News Ranking: #61 (tie) in Regional Universities North
  • US News Overall Score (out of 100): 58
  • In-State Tuition & Fees 2016-17: $8,074
  • Out-of-State Tuition & Fees 2016-17: $17,924
  • Room & Board 2016-17: $12,590
  • Total Enrollment: 4,842
  • Acceptance Rate (from 2015): 59%
  • Student – Faculty Ratio: 14:1
  • 4 year graduation rate: 47%
  • % of undergrads receiving Financial aid: 68%
  • Average Financial Aid: $5,643

Double Bass Statistics

  • Average number of undergraduate bass students: 10
  • Average number of graduate bass students: 1
  • Studio Class, Bass Ensembles, Double Bass Technique Class, which includes orchestral repertoire and warmups/technical exercises.

What Alumni Are Doing

  • Graduate studies at the New England Conservatory with Donald Palma and Duquesne with Aaron White
  • Teaching in many public school districts across New York State and elsewhere
  • Touring with different bands of diverse styles

Perspectives from Students and Alumni

Q: What are some favorite memories about studying at this school?

A: Yo-Yo Ma performing with the College Symphony Orchestra, Performing in a variety of mediums (Full-size symphonic ensemble, chamber orchestra, chamber ensembles, opera pit orchestra, pick-up orchestras, studio/solo recital performances, jazz ensembles), masterclasses with a variety of guest artists, enjoying the surrounding Fredonia community and nearby attractions of Cleveland, Buffalo, Rochester, Pittsburgh to catch opportunities to attend concerts.

Q: How did this school help prepare you for your future endeavors?

A: Faculty support and investment in every student, top-quality instruction, fantastic facilities (including newly added rehearsal space while I attended).

Q: What advice would you offer others thinking about studying at this school?

A: Check out this school if you are looking for a smaller size, more individualized instruction. The overall college is not a large student body, but the setting is wonderful to get a lot of great individual development while being close to larger metropolitan areas if desired. I benefited from this set-up, and I’m sure it would be appealing to many more!

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share about this school?

A: Lots of great opportunity to attend high-quality performances in nearby metropolitan areas, as well as catching excellent instruction and performances on-campus. Buffalo Philharmonic has a great connection with the school, and a lot of great new music ensembles travel through as well.

Dennis B

Perspectives from the Bass Faculty

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

A: One of my favorite things about Fredonia is our faculty and student climate and attitude. Across both populations (and within the interaction of both) there is a sense of true support and common goals. It is a healthy environment where students are encouraged to communicate freely and work together.

I work very hard to keep a diverse studio and cater to each student’s particular interests and needs. While I do this, I also focus on common fundamentals of technical approach, and encourage students who have not yet done so to diversify their stylistic interests.

About The Bass Faculty

Kieran J. Hanlon is Assistant Professor of String Bass and Jazz at The State University of New York at Fredonia. In addition to his teaching, Kieran is a first call performer in both the classical and jazz idioms, and enjoys a diverse performing career in both genres (among others) across Upstate New York and Pennsylvania.

An active orchestral performer, Kieran is Principal Bass of the Erie Philharmonic, and is a regular sub with the Chautauqua Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, and the Rochester Philharmonic. He has toured to Carnegie Hall with the Buffalo Philharmonic, and recorded Reinhold Gliere’s Symphony No. 3 “Il’ya Muromets” with the orchestra for the Naxos label.

In May 2014, Kieran completed a Master of Music Degree in Double Bass Performance at the Eastman School of Music with Professor of Double Bass James VanDemark. He also completed Eastman’s Orchestral Studies Program, in which he worked as a playing intern for two seasons with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Kieran’s undergraduate studies were completed at The University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance in April of 2012, where he studied classical repertoire with Professors Diana Gannett and Stephen Molina and jazz with Professor Robert Hurst. He holds a B.M. in Double Bass Performance and a B.F.A. in Jazz Studies, Bass from Michigan. He also won third place in the Orchestral Competition at the International Society of Bassists 2013 Convention in Rochester, NY.

Kieran has performed by invitation with the Canandaigua Lake Chamber Music Festival, the Lake George Music Festival, and the Gateways Music Festival. He also spent the summer of 2011 as a Rotating Principal Bassist with the National Repertory Orchestra in Breckenridge, CO. In 2013, Kieran worked extensively with the chamber choir Madrigalia in Rochester, NY on cross-genre compositions and arrangements for choir and chamber ensemble by composers John Rutter and Cary Ratcliff among others.

In addition to frequent engagements as a freelance classical musician in upstate New York, Kieran is a first call jazz performer in the area, and is the bassist for the Buffalo Philharmonic Big Band.  Additional freelance playing includes work with jazz greats such as Sal Andolina, Bobby Militello, John Bacon, Dave Mancini, George Caldwell, Lisa Hasselback, Alec Dube, John Nyerges, Andy Calabrese, Chris Azzara, Bob Sneider, Rich Thompson, Chet Catallo and Bill Tiberio. He also works with Celtic artist Cathie Ryan in performances of traditional Irish music with professional symphony orchestras. Kieran performs on both acoustic and electric basses, and is a D’Addario Artist.

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