The University of Texas, Arlington

Jack Unzicker, bass faculty

General Statistics

  • In-State Tuition & Fees 2016-17: $9,616
  • Out-of-State Tuition & Fees 2016-17: $23,460
  • Room & Board 2016-17: $8,397
  • Total Enrollment: 41,988
  • Acceptance Rate (from 2015): 64%
  • Student – Faculty Ratio: 25:1
  • 4 year graduation rate: 21%
  • % of undergrads receiving Financial aid: 73%
  • Average Financial Aid: $6,957

Double Bass Statistics

  • Average number of undergraduate bass students: 9
  • Average number of graduate bass students: 1
  • Studio Class, Orchestral Repertoire Class, Bass Ensembles, Chamber Music

What Alumni Are Doing

  • Current and former students of Dr. Unzicker have been accepted to undergraduate, graduate, and summer programs at the Colburn School, Juilliard School, University of Southern California, Boston University, Indiana University, University of North Texas, Florida State University, University of Texas, North Carolina School of the Arts, New World Symphony, Curtis Institute of Music Summerfest, Aspen Music Festival and School, National Orchestral Institute, National Repertory Orchestra, Interlochen Arts Camp, Round Top Music Festival, Texas Chamber Music Institute, and the WaBass Institute.

Perspectives from Students and Alumni

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

A: My favorite memories were my professor being so helpful and available almost all the time! He was always willing to help out with anything and would offer his assistance in anything.

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

A: UTA gave me a very strong work ethic and showed me that everything worth having requires tons of effort.

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

A: My advice would be to always think ahead and make your end goals achievable. If you want to study music here at UTA I would advise you to take all your core classes at a community college that way those grades do not go towards your GPA. I did this and it is a big reason why my GPA is so high now.

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

A: If you want a true collegiate orchestral experience, UTA is the way to go!

Maranda S

Perspectives from the Bass Faculty

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

A: UT Arlington is a relatively small music department, about 350 students, within a large university, near 40,000 students. Because of our smaller size, our music students have incredible access to the faculty. UT Arlington is the fifth most diverse university in the United States. The entire world is represented at UT Arlington and the music professors will know you by name. It’s the best of both worlds!

The bass studio is a mix of performance, music ed, theory, composition, jazz studies, and music industry majors. Jazz and electric bass lessons are available with Prof. Brian Mulholland (unbelievable player!). Our music ed job placement rates are still at 100%. I always offer a free lesson to anyone interested in studying bass at UT Arlington.

About The Bass Faculty

Dr. Jack Unzicker is the Assistant Professor of Double Bass at the University of Texas at Arlington and is a sought-after performer and educator. He has extensive and varied experience in all performance areas, from early music to contemporary, solo, chamber, and orchestral, as well as jazz and electric bass. He maintains an active performing schedule, over 300 performances since his appointment at UT Arlington in 2012.

Raised in Juneau, Alaska, he began his musical studies with piano, guitar, and percussion and began performing as a professional bassist and teaching private lessons at the age of fourteen. He earned his Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees from the University of North Texas, where he studied solo and orchestral performance, orchestral conducting, jazz studies, and early music with Jeff Bradetich, Paul Sharpe, Bill Clay, Anshel Brusilow, Lynn Seaton, and Lenora McCroskey. Dr. Unzicker earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Western Washington University where he studied jazz studies, performance, and contemporary music with Chuck Israels, Anna Doak, and Roger Briggs. Dr. Unzicker continued his studies at the Henry Mancini Institute, working with Bertram Turetzky, Christian McBride, and John Clayton, the Pierre Monteux School for Conductors, and the Pirastro Strings Elite Soloists Program.

Bass News Right To Your Inbox!

Subscribe to get our weekly newsletter covering the double bass world.

Powered by ConvertKit