Second Annual “Fearless Audition Training” for Hornists!
Summer Seminar July 31 - August 4, 2008
Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
Bloomington, Indiana
Jeff Nelsen will be hosting his second annual “F.A.T for Hornists” summer seminar from July 31 – August 4, 2008 at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, Indiana. This unique seminar is open to professionals, students, and teachers interested in becoming fearless performers.
To read a collection of information about the seminar, click here.
For the Fearless Audition Training for Hornists 2008 website, click here.
“Legends” CD Released and Tour Announced
Canadian Brass recently released a new recording titled “Legends.” This CD is “absolutely essential to appreciating the Canadian Brass legacy.” The double quintet recording, featuring Chuck, Gene, Jeff, Joe and Brandon also include Canadian Brass former members and colleagues. To celebrate the release of this recording, Canadian Brass is taking it on tour! Look for them in Interlochen, Ravinia, and New Jersey.
Jeff Nelsen to perform a Horn and Organ Recital
Jeff Nelsen will be a featured soloist at the first International Belgian Brass Festival on July 8, 2008 in Tongeren, Belgium.
Jeff is performing a French Horn and Organ recital along with Michel Becquet (Trombone), Reinhold Friedrich (trumpet), and Spanish Brass.
Fearless Performance goes corporate!
Jeff Nelsen performed for and spoke with Calgary’s Young Presidents’ Organization on April 6, 2008. This worldwide organization’s chapter welcomed Jeff into their group to speak about Fearless Performance on stage as well as in the board room.
Young Presidents’ Organization is comprised of more than 20,000 leaders in 100 countries. It is the world’s largest network of peers that connects members to exchange ideas, pursue learning, and share strategies to achieve personal growth and professional success.
Here’s what Jeff had to say about this experience:
“It’s amazing, but not surprising how aggressively the ‘Fearless Performance’ concepts were embraced by these multi-million dollar company presidents.”
New Canadian Brass “Bach” Album Released!
Canadian Brass is receiving rave reviews for their new album “Bach.” This CD features an arrangement of “Little Fugue in G minor” by Ron Romm, “Bach Overtures”, arranged by Tony Rickard, Michael Allen’s arrangement of “Aire pour les Trompettes,” and much more!
Jeff Nelsen will be the featured soloist with the “Bloomington Camerata Orchestra” on February 17, 2008 at 3:30pm. The performance will take place at Charmichael Hall at Bloomington South High School. Jeff will performing “Strauss Horn Concerto #1 in E Flat Major.” Also featured on this afternoon concert will be the world premiere of “Concert Overture Op. 50″ by Alfonso Montecino and Ravel’s “Daphnis and Chloe Suites 1 and 2.”
Jeff Nelsen Rejoins Canadian Brass!
After a two and a half year hiatus, Jeff has rejoined Canadian Brass. In June, Jeff received a call from Canadian Brass asking him to resume his position as hornist, and of course, Jeff said yes! This is a perfect blend of performing and mentoring for Jeff, as he recently was named Associate Professor of Horn at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. “Being a part of Canadian Brass is musician heaven,” Nelsen said. “I lived as a performer for a very long time performing with orchestras and Canadian Brass, and then I came to IU and I am having the most wonderfully intense teaching experience of my life. This partnership is a logical and exciting combination, and is what many musicians ultimately live for. Canadian Brass is a huge part of who I am as a performer, and the blending of teaching and performing is perfect because I get to grow as a performer and bring it all back to my students.”
To view the full press release from Indiana University,
click here.
To view the press release from Canadian Brass, click here.
WFIU Artist of the Month: Jeff Nelsen
During the month of June 2007, you can hear recordings of Jeff Nelsen with the Canadian Brass, including his featured performances on the Juno-nominated CD “Magic Horn.” WFIU will present an hour long interview with Nelsen on the Sunday, June 17, edition of Profiles at 7 p.m. Also in this interview will be musical selections including Jeff’s “I Have Found You”, a special piece of lyrics by Nelsen and music by S. Barber. All of Jeff’s performances can be heard through wfiu.indiana.edu. For more schedules, click here.
“Fearless Audition Training” for Hornists
Summer Seminar August 2-7, 2007
Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
Jeff Nelsen will be hosting the first annual “FAT” for hornists summer seminar from August 2-7 at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music in Bloomington, Indiana. This unique seminar is open to professionals, students, and teachers interested in becoming fearless performers. During the six-day seminar, participants will learn ‘fearless tools’ which build consistency in performing optimally in any situation.
The areas of performance ability, horn technique, music making, and repertoire knowledge will be extensively covered. In addition to lectures, master classes, and private lesson settings, training will take place in the environment that holds the most potential for a fearful experience - an audition!
For more information, click here.
“College Audition Preparation” Program
Summer Seminar July 22 - 28, 2007
Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
This seminar is a workshop for brass, percussion and woodwind players who are planning to apply for entrance to college music programs (CAP I) and also for musicians preparing for ensemble placement, professional auditions, festivals and competitions (CAP II). Jeff Nelsen joins the world-class faculty of the “CAP” programs this summer.
For more information, click here.
A Return to Broadway to Sail on
“The Pirate Queen”!
For the 2007 summer months, Jeff Nelsen returns to Broadway to be the hornist for “The Pirate Queen” created by Boublil and Schonberg of Les Miserables and Miss Saigon fame. This show is easily weathering the initial unfavorable reviews from critics, playing to sold out houses that leap to their feet for this visual and musical spectacular!
For Tickets, click here.
Yamaha Young Performing Artists Competition 2008
Yamaha Corporation of America, Band and Orchestral Division proudly announces the twentieth annual Yamaha Young Performing Artist program (YYPA), recognizing outstanding young musicians from the world of classical, jazz, and contemporary music. This competition is for young artists between the ages of 16 and 21 at the time of application. Jeff Nelsen has joined the world-class roster of Yamaha Artist adjudicators and will share his comments on all horn applicants’ application packages.
For more information and application form, click here.
“Jacobs School welcomes horn virtuoso Jeff Nelsen to its faculty”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 16, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — With an already impressive and growing international career as a virtuoso performer, teacher, pedagogue and musical commentator, hornist Jeff Nelsen has been appointed Associate Professor of Music at the IU Jacobs School of Music, it was announced today (Nov. 16).
“Jeff is an exciting choice for us,” said Gwyn Richards, dean of the IU Jacobs School of Music. “The depth of his experience and the energy and passion he brings to his teaching, coupled with his blossoming performing career, will help our students prepare for their varied and demanding professional lives. He is a welcome addition to an already impressive brass department.”
Click here to view full press release
Yamaha prints
“Jeff Nelsen – Yamaha Horn” poster
Yamaha Japan has created a new poster for “Yamaha Horn” that illustrates Yamaha performing artist Jeff Nelsen.
Several other poster designs that did not go into production are also included here as further press materials for your upcoming Jeff Nelsen appearance.
“The Stan Kenton Christmas Carols”
CD Released!
Featuring Boston Brass and the Brass All Stars Big Band
Boston Brass has expanded their trademark entertainment by teaming up with all-star brass players from around the globe to produce an unmatched sound that will light a fire for your holiday season. The ensemble of all brass (trumpets, French horns, trombones, and tubas with jazz rhythm section) features fiery big band arrangements of classics like the Stan Kenton Christmas Carols, Greensleeves, and Motown Jingle Bells in a setting that will delight audiences of all ages.
Famed tubist and producer Samuel J. Pilafian conducts not only the magnificent virtuosos of the Boston Brass but players from around the world such as Jeff Nelsen, Jens Lindemann, and Chris Cooper from the Canadian Brass, Scott Hartman from the Empire Brass, Scott Thornberg and Mark Frost from the Brass Band of Battle Creek, Dan Hostetler from Dallas Brass and many more. This ensemble will light up your sound system with an energy and excitement that will have you firmly ensconced in the Christmas spirit. Purchase here.
Check “Events” listing for concert details
Jeff Nelsen has just been appointed Visiting Associate Professor of Horn at the world-renowned Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University for the 2006 - 2007 academic year.
“I am bursting with excitement about this incredible opportunity! To share my passions of performing and teaching at this exceptional university is a dream come true for me. I have achieved many of my dreams as a performer, and now it is time to share how I’ve done this with the up-and-coming artists of tomorrow. At Indiana University, I will be able to do this at the highest standards. There is absolutely NO better place in the world for me to aid in the development of young artists. It is a wonderful honor to join this world-class faculty. I eagerly await collaborating with my esteemed colleagues and students this September!”
International Horn Society’s Upcoming “Horn Call” Magazine Cover Design
The cover art for the upcoming May, 2006 issue of the International Horn Society’s magazine, “Horn Call”, was painted by Jeff Nelsen’s mother-in-law. Janice Blair, a renowned graphic artist residing in Santa Barbara, is an illustrator/calligrapher specializing in pen & ink and watercolor. As you can see, her work with oils is also stunning. Janice’s daughter Nina (www.ninayoshidanelsen.com), a mezzo-soprano, was married to Jeff Nelsen on October 15, 2005. Janice created this painting for the cover of a program booklet for the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony. The subject for this painting was Jeff’s gold-plated Yamaha 667VS Canadian Brass horn.
“Magic Horn ”
Earns Juno Nomination
MAGIC HORN, the most recent recording from CANADIAN BRASS, has been nominated for the Juno Award (Canadian equivalent to the Grammy Award) in the category of Best Classical Album of the Year: Solo or Chamber Ensemble. The album features fresh interpretations of works by Piazzolla and Ellington as well as the world premiere recording of Bramwell Tovey’s “Santa Barbara Sontata”.
Featured on this recording is hornist Jeff Nelsen, by both album title and repertoire. Some horn highlights are his performance of Paganini’s Caprice Number 24, initially composed as a showcase for solo violin, and the Rondo from Mozart’s Horn Quintet. The most magical of horn sounds are found in Bramwell Tovey’s Magic Horn Tango, and the bonus track and video of Michael Kamen’s “Quintet”.
The CD can be purchased directly from Canadian Brass here.
Jeff Nelsen becomes the newest member of the TransAtlantic Horn Quartet!
Jeff joins charter members Richard Watkins, Michael Thompson, and Charles “Skip” Snead.
Since its inception in 1997, the TransAtlantic Horn Quartet has been busy making numerous appearances on both sides of the Atlantic. Their most recent appearance was as the featured artists and hosts of the 2005 International Horn Society Symposium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The group has commissioned many new pieces for the genre, stolen many loved pieces from most other genres, and continues to further expose countless audiences to the magic and wonder of chamber music performed by the horn.
The quartet also takes their position in the music world seriously in their role as educators:
“It is a wonderful opportunity to have the voice we have in the brass world. Kids and adult amateurs alike respond to us very openly due to our experience and pedigree. Because of this, we aggressively strive to provide educational seminars wherever we perform. What better way to give back what was provided for us when we were pursuing our musical goals? Mentorship is what fulfills us the most, through both performance and the social experience.”
– Skip Snead, the group’s other North American member.
Skip continues, having this to say about Jeff and his joining the T.A.H.Q.
“Jeff Nelsen is one of the most exciting and dynamic horn players of our time and we are very excited about having him join us in The TransAtlantic Horn Quartet. A colleague in a chamber ensemble needs to be a good friend, a consummate musician, and someone who shares vision with the rest of the group. Jeff is certainly all of this and more. We look forward to all that he will bring to the group.”
David Ohanian (Former Member - Boston Symphony, Empire Brass, Canadian Brass) is retiring from the quartet to spend more time with his wife Suzanne (Jeff’s sister) and their two children. Jeff is very excited to accept another horn position that was formerly held by his world famous brother-in-law.
Nelsen says, “As far as following in anyone’s footsteps, there’s no greater honour than to follow in David’s. This is an incredible chamber music group, and the sky’s the limit for our future! Look out horn world, and beyond!”
The TransAtlantic Summer Horn Seminar is presently planned for June 4 – 10, 2006. It is to be held on the campus of Western Carolina University, North Carolina, USA. Stay posted for details. . .
Calendar of Events
Updated July 23, 2008
July 23, 2008
Canadian Brass
Morristown, NJ, USA
July 25, 2008
Canadian Brass
Interlochen, MI, USA
July 28, 2008
Canadian Brass
Highland Park, IL, USA
July 31 - August 3, 2008
Fearless Audition Training Seminar
Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
Bloomington, IN, USA
August 3, 2008
Canadian Brass
Bloomington, IN, USA
August 6 - 13, 2008
Canadian Brass
Music Academy of the West
Santa Barbara, CA, USA
August 15, 2008
Jeff Nelsen and Nina Yoshida Nelsen
Benefit Concert for the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony
Santa Barbara, CA, USA
(Please email Jeff if you’d like to purchase tickets)
The Nelsen Family in rehearsal fora C.B.C. Radio recital - 1993
Recent Events…
July 9 - 18, 2008
Canadian Brass
European Tour
July 8, 2008
Horn and Organ Recital
Horn Masterclass
Belgium Festival of Flanders
Tongeren, Belgium
July 3 - 7, 2008
Canadian Brass
Melos Brass Academy
Corfu, Greece
June 25, 2008
Canadian Brass
Sainte-Petronille, QC, Canada
June 18 - 20, 2008
Idea City
Canadian Brass
Toronto, ON, Canada
June 15, 2008
Canadian Brass
Los Angeles, CA, USA
May 12 - 18, 2008
Windy Mountain Chamber Music Festival
Alberta, Canada
May 8 - 11, 2008
Juror
Fischoff Competition
South Bend, IN, USA
April 1 - 6, 2008
Living Room Concerts
Chamber Music Series
w/ Nina Yoshida Nelsen
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
February 21, 2008
Horn Recital and Masterclass
Interlochen, MI, USA
February 17, 2008
Horn Soloist
Strauss Horn Concerto #1
Camerata Orchestra
Bloomington, IN, USA
February 10 - 11, 2008
Schubert Octet
Bloomington, IN, USA
Cincinnati, OH USA
January 25 - 27, 2008
Canadian Brass
California Tour
December 2, 2007
Brasscast - Canadian Brass Christmas interview with Jeff Nelsen
December, 2007
Canadian Brass
Christmas Tour
November 11 - 21, 2007
Canadian Brass
European Tour
November 3, 2007
Canadian Brass
Music Hall
Kansas City, MO, USA
October 21, 2007
Canadian Brass
Douglas J. Cardinal Performing Arts Centre
Grand Prairie, Alberta, Canada
October 19, 2007
Canadian Brass
Festival Place
Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada
October 6, 2007
Canadian Brass
Bartlesville Community Center
Bartlesville, OK, USA
September 29 - 30, 2007
Canadian Brass Recording with Eastman Wind Ensemble
Eastman School of Music
Rochester, NY, USA
September 28, 2007
Canadian Brass Concert with Eastman Wind Ensemble
Eastman School of Music
Rochester, NY, USA
September 23, 2007
Canadian Brass
John Bird Memorial Concert with
Elmer Iseler Singers
Toronto, ON, Canada
September 14 - 16, 2007
Featured Artist
Enchanted Horn
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM, USA
September 12 - 13, 2007
Canadian Brass
Mexico City, Mexico
August 26, 2007
Canadian Brass
Blossom Music Festival
Cleveland, OH, USA
August 2 – 7, 2007
Fearless Auditioning SeminarFor Hornists
Indiana University
Jacobs School of Music
Bloomington, IN, USA
August 2, 2007
Indiana University Festival Orchestra
Mahler 5 with David Robertson
Bloomington, IN, USA
July 22 – 28, 2007
College Audition Preparation Program
Indiana University
Jacobs School of Music
Bloomington, IN, USA
April 15 – June 17, 2007
“The Pirate Queen”
Broadway- Hilton Theatre
New York, NY, USA
March 16 – 17, 2007
Bands of America
Yamaha Horn Clinician & Fearlessness Lecturer
Indianapolis, IN, USA
March 9 - 11, 2007
Soloist and Master Classes
Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra
Dallas, TX, USA
March 6, 2007
“The Pirate Queen” first preview
Broadway- Hilton Theatre
New York, NY, USA
January 16 - 18, 2007
Barry Manilow
Madison Square Garden
New York, NY, USA
December 12, 2006
“A Stan Kenton Christmas”
With Boston Brass and theBrass All Stars Big Band
Gainesville, FL, USA
December 11, 2006
JEFF’S BIRTHDAY!!!!Cash only, no gifts please! ;)
If you ask nicely, I’ll tell you how old he is!
December 11, 2006
“A Stan Kenton Christmas”
With Boston Brass and theBrass All Stars Big Band
Jacksonville, FL, USA
November 29, 2006
“A Stan Kenton Christmas”
With Boston Brass and the Brass All Stars Big Band
Clarkston , MI, USA
November 28, 2006
“A Stan Kenton Christmas”
With Boston Brass and the Brass All Stars Big Band
Interlochen, MI, USA
October 17, 2006
Royal Academy of Music
Masterclass
London, England
October 16, 2006
Royal Northern College of Music
Masterclass
Manchester, England
October 14 - 17, 2006
British Horn Society Symposium
Featured Artist and Lecturer
Manchester, England
October 13, 2006
Royal College of Music
Masterclass
London, England
September 30, 2006
Play! A Video Game Symphony
Hummingbird Centre
Toronto, ON Canada
September 8 & 9, 2006
“The Call of the Wild” Horn Music Festival
Recitals and Fearless Master Classes
Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada
August 28, 2006
First day of classes
Jacobs School of Music
Indiana University
Bloomington, IN, USA
August 23 - 26, 2006
Boston Symphony Orchestra
Herbert Blomstedt, conductor
Bruckner Symphony #7
Tanglewood Music Center, MA, USA
August 3, 2006
Indiana University Festival Orchestra
Leonard Slatkin, Conductor
Strauss, Lutoslawski
Bloomington, IN, USA
July 25, 2006, 8:30pm - 10pm
Indiana University CAP Workshop
“Fearless Auditioning” Masterclass
Bloomington, IN, USA
July 23, 2006
Indiana University CAP Workshop
Faculty Recital
Bloomington, IN, USA
July 20, 2006
Indiana University Festival Orchestra
Michael Stern, Conductor
Tchaikovsky, Ravel, Glinka
Bloomington, IN, USA
July 3 - 16, 2006
“World’s Greatest Outdoor Show”
Calgary Stampede Grandstand Show
Dave Pierce - Composer/Conductor
Adam James - Singer/Songwriter
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
June 29, 2006
Indiana University Festival Orchestra
Uriel Segal, Conductor
Joshua Bell, Violin
Mendelssohn Violin Concerto
Bloomington, IN, USA
June 26 - 29, 2006
Indiana University Summer Session
Private Lessons, Warm-Up Classes
Bloomington, IN, USA
June 17 - July 2, 2006
Sewanee Summer Music Festival
Horn Faculty
Sewanee, TN, USA
June 11 – 13, 2006
International Euphonium Institute
Emory University
Atlanta, GA, USA
June 4 - 10, 2006
T.A.H.Q. Horn Seminar
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC, USA
May 30 - June 3, 2006
National Symphony Orchestra
Kurt Masur - Conductor
All Beethoven Program
Kennedy Center
Washington D.C. , USA
May 16 - 20, 2006
MusicFest Canada
Masterclass Series titled:”Jeff Nelsen - Get Fearless:How the son of a pig farmer joined the Canadian Brass”
Ottawa, ON, Canada
May 10 - 13, 2006
New York Philharmonic
David Zinman - Conductor
Yo-Yo Ma - Soloist
Bartok, Brahms, Adams
Lincoln Center, NYC, USA
April 28, 2006
“Dances & Romances:An Evening with Jeff Nelsen”
ALL NEW arrangements forHorn and Orchestra Pops Show!
Inaugural Performance
Twin Falls, ID, USA
April 18 - 22, 2006
National Symphony Orchestra
R. Frühbeck de Burgos – Conductor
Beethoven, Prokofiev, Stravinsky
Kennedy Center
Washington D.C. , USA
April 12, 2006
McGill University
Fearless Horning and Performing
Master Class
Montreal, QC, Canada
April 10, 2006
Soloist: Glass Bead Game
U of Ottawa Wind Ensemble
Ottawa, ON, Canada
April 8, 2006
National Arts Centre
“Broadband” Fearless Master Class
Ottawa, ON, Canada
March 29 – April 7, 2006
National Symphony Orchestra Tour
Leonard Slatkin – Conductor
March 29, 30 - Lincoln, NE- Lied Center for Performing Arts
March 31, April 1 – Omaha, NE- Holland Performing Arts Center
April 2 – Chicago, IL- Orchestra Hall
April 4 – New Brunswick, NJ- State Theatre
April 5 – Philadelphia, PA- Kimmel Center for Performing Arts
April 6 – New York City, NY- Carnegie Hall Concert Program 1
April 7 - New York City, NY- Carnegie Hall Concert Program 2
March 24– 25, 2006
Bands of America
Yamaha Clinician
Indianapolis, IN, USA
March 23 – 25, 2006
National Symphony Orchestra
Leonard Slatkin – Conductor
Elgar, Rachmaninoff, Beethoven
Kennedy Center
Washington D.C. , USA
March 10 & 12, 2006
New Amsterdam Singers
Voices and Brass
Four Centuries of Sacred Music
The Church of the Holy Trinity,NYC, NY, USA
February 25 - 28, 2006
Soloist: Glass Bead Game
U of Montana
Concert Band Festival
Missoula, MT, USA
February 21 & 22, 2006
Indiana University
Combination Recital/Master Class
Bloomington, IN, USA
February 18, 2006
University of Maryland
Combination Recital/Masterclass
College Park, MD, USA
February 4 & 5, 2006
Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra
Sounds of New Orleans
Harrisburg, PA, USA
January 31, Feb 1, 2, 3, 2006
Phantom of the Opera
Majestic Theatre
Broadway, NYC, NY, USA
January 20, 2006
Featured Artist
SCMEA Day of Horn
Commack, NY, USA
January 19, 2006
Film Soundtrack Recording
“Failure to Launch”
NYC, NY, USA
January 12 - 14, 2006
New York Philharmonic
Alpine Symphony, R. Strauss
NYC, NY, USA
December 6, 2005
Boston Brass Kenton Christmas
Tucson, AZ, USA
December 3, 2005
Horns A Plenty
Fearless Master Class, solo recital
Appleton, WI, USA
October 15, 2005
Marry Nina Kiyoka Yoshida
Yipeeeee!!!
Santa Barbara, CA, USA
Bride, Groom, and some ‘Best Men’October 15, 2005