Five schools to consider for an “out-of-the-box” career

Teachers and programs come in all shapes and sizes.  Some haven’t changed much since 1950, while others are at the forefront of innovation.

There are so many ways to make a career in music, and many colleges only present three options:

1. Orchestral Performance
2. Jazz
3. Teaching

It’s tough to find a college that embraces creative careers and a teacher with that kind of spirit.  Sometimes you get one without the other, and all too frequently you get neither.

Here are five schools that embrace experimentation.  They have bass teachers that have carved out unique careers for themselves, and they aren’t afraid to explore new ideas.

These aren’t listed in any particular order, and there are many other schools that fit the bill as well.  I highly recommend checking out what’s going on at these five groovy places, though.

1. Hartt School of Music

Robert Black, bass faculty

Robert Black has been collaborating with adventurous composers, musicians, dancers, artists, actors, and technophiles from all walks of life. He is a founding and current member of the Bang On A Can All Stars.

What Alumni Are Doing

• Solo bassist with the Connecticut Virtuosi – Connecticut’s premiere chamber ensemble
• Successful free lance career in NYC performing with ensemble mise-en, Signal, etc.
• bassist with Postmodern Jukebox
• Emilio Guarino – solo bassist and entrepreneur
• Tom Zera (Utah Symphony, 1999)

2. University of California Dan Diego

Mark Dresser, bass faculty

Mark is well-known for his collaborations with Anthony Braxton, John Zorn, Dave Douglas, and many others.  He is an internationally acclaimed bass player, improviser, composer, and interdisciplinary collaborator.

What Alumni Are Doing

• Jeff Denson – professor at California Jazz Conservatory
• Kristin Korb – internationally known jazz bassist and vocalist

3. Ithaca College

Nicholas Walker, bass faculty

Nicholas Walker is a musical omnivore, a musician who brings a broad range of training and experience to the double bass – classical and jazz, modern and baroque, concertos, solo recitals, chamber ensembles, and orchestral work. His enthusiasm and aptitude transcend arbitrary musical boundaries.

Walker is an Associate Professor of Music at Ithaca College and is President of the International Society of Bassists, and Artistic Director/Convention Chair for the 50th Anniversary ISB convention in Ithaca in 2017. Walker leads a rewarding career as a freelance musician, composer, and educator.

What Alumni Are Doing

• Undergraduates have left Ithaca College with full-ride graduate assistantship offers to Rice, Curtis, USC, Northwestern, CIM, Peabody, and programs in Germany, France, and Hungary.

4. Shenandoah University

Donovan Stokes, bass faculty

Donovan Stokes enjoys a varied career of performing, composing, writing and teaching. His solo recording Gadaha garnered two JPF Music Award rankings for Best Album and Best Instrumental Song. Described as a musician who “paints primary colours and subtle shades to considerable effect” (The Double Bassist), Stokes is also noted for his “eye-popping display of technical wizardry and showmanship” (Madison Jazz).

What Alumni Are Doing

• Kevin Johnson – managing editor for No Treble
• Zach Rowden – solo and contemporary music artist

5. University of California Santa Cruz

Barry Green, bass faculty

Barry Green is one of the most fascinating and inspiring people I’ve ever met.  He has created a career that blends together roles of player, teacher, entrepreneur, author, thinker, and public speaker.

From becoming principal bass of the Cincinnati Symphony at a very young age to championing the teachings of Francois Rabbath, from resurrecting the International Society of Bassists to writing the Inner Game of Music, and from jazzifying the Bach Suites to creating the three part collaborative multimedia extravaganza that is the Anna’s Way, Promise, and Gift trilogy, it seems that his creativity is unstoppable.

What Alumni Are Doing

• Pablo Aslan – tango bassist and recording artist
• Richard Duke – Golden Gate Bass Camp director
• Allan Santos – former Toledo Symphony member and personal coach