Chad R Nicholson
- Professor
- Member of the Graduate Faculty
- (520) 621-7024
- Music, Rm. 109
- Tucson, AZ 85721
- crnichol@arizona.edu
Biography
Dr. Chad R. Nicholson is the Director of Bands at the University of Arizona Fred Fox School Of Music where he leads the UA Wind Ensemble and Chamber Winds along with conducting instruction for graduate students. Dr. Nicholson is an active author and pedagogue; he has published chapters in eight volumes of Teaching Music through Performance in Band in addition to the textbook Engaging Musical Practices. Nicholson wrote Great Music for Wind Band, a book to aid conductors in repertoire selection and concert programming.
Dr. Nicholson’s experiences as a music educator span all ages and ensemble types, including All-State bands, university wind ensembles, and professional groups around the world. Recdntly, Nicholson led the bands at Rikkyo High School and the American School in Japan (Tokyo) in a musical event called When Worlds Collide. Nicholson was the first conductor invited to lead the 2014 Shanghai International School Honor Band. In 2015, he was a member of the distinguished international panel of adjudicators for the All-Chinese Wind Band Contest.
Nicholson has presented twice at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, and he was a clinician at the 2016 NAfME National In-Service Conference in Texas.
Nicholson is also the designated Chief Guest Conductor for the Beijing Wind Orchestra, China’s first and oldest professional wind ensemble.
Nicholson holds degrees from the University of Oklahoma (BME), New Mexico State University (MM), and Indiana University (DM).
Degrees
- D.M.A. Wind Conducting
- Indiana University-Bloomington, Bloomington, Indiana, United States
- A Thematic Catalog of Select Wind Literature
- M.M. Wind Conducting
- New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States
- B.M.E. Music Education
- University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, United States
Work Experience
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (2016 - Ongoing)
- University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware (2012 - 2016)
- Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (2008 - 2012)
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado (2006 - 2008)
- Southridge High School (1999 - 2003)
- Eisenhower Junior High School (1996 - 1997)
Awards
- Induction into Phi Beta Mu Honorary Bandmasters Fraternity
- Phi Beta Mu, Fall 2024
- The American Prize (Role: Collaborator)
- The American PrizeHonorable Mention/CompositionBand Division, Fall 2020
- Finalist for University of Arizona Five Star Faculty Award
- UA Honors College, Spring 2020 (Award Finalist)
- Formally designated "Chief Guest Conductor" of the Beijing Wind Orchestra
- Beijing Wind Orchestra, Li FangFang, founder and principal conductor, Spring 2019
Interests
Teaching
Advanced Wind Conducting, ensemble leadership, wind band repertoire
Research
Primary source material from the original Sousa band as found in the archives of the UA Frank Simon Band Library
Courses
2024-25 Courses
-
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 400E (Spring 2025) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 500E (Spring 2025) -
Doctoral Recitals
MUS 925 (Spring 2025) -
Int Instrmnt+Choral Cond
MUS 371 (Spring 2025) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 685 (Spring 2025) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 785 (Spring 2025) -
Symphonic Band
MUS 400C (Spring 2025) -
Symphonic Band
MUS 500C (Spring 2025) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 400E (Fall 2024) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 500E (Fall 2024) -
Doctoral Recitals
MUS 925 (Fall 2024) -
Hist+Lit Of Wind Band
MUS 525 (Fall 2024) -
Intro to Conducting
MUS 370 (Fall 2024) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 585 (Fall 2024) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 685 (Fall 2024) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 785 (Fall 2024) -
Practicum
MUS 494 (Fall 2024)
2023-24 Courses
-
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 400E (Spring 2024) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 500E (Spring 2024) -
Doctoral Recitals
MUS 925 (Spring 2024) -
Int Instrmnt+Choral Cond
MUS 371 (Spring 2024) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 585 (Spring 2024) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 785 (Spring 2024) -
Symphonic Band
MUS 400C (Spring 2024) -
Symphonic Band
MUS 500C (Spring 2024) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 400E (Fall 2023) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 500E (Fall 2023) -
Doctoral Recitals
MUS 925 (Fall 2023) -
Intro to Conducting
MUS 370 (Fall 2023) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 585 (Fall 2023) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 785 (Fall 2023)
2022-23 Courses
-
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 400E (Spring 2023) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 500E (Spring 2023) -
Doctoral Recitals
MUS 925 (Spring 2023) -
Int Instrmnt+Choral Cond
MUS 371 (Spring 2023) -
Master's Recital
MUS 915 (Spring 2023) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 685 (Spring 2023) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 785 (Spring 2023) -
Symphonic Band
MUS 400C (Spring 2023) -
Symphonic Band
MUS 500C (Spring 2023) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 400E (Fall 2022) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 500E (Fall 2022) -
Doctoral Recitals
MUS 925 (Fall 2022) -
Hist+Lit Of Wind Band
MUS 525 (Fall 2022) -
Intro to Conducting
MUS 370 (Fall 2022) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 685 (Fall 2022) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 785 (Fall 2022)
2021-22 Courses
-
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 400E (Spring 2022) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 500E (Spring 2022) -
Doctoral Recitals
MUS 925 (Spring 2022) -
Int Instrmnt+Choral Cond
MUS 371 (Spring 2022) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 685 (Spring 2022) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 785 (Spring 2022) -
Symphonic Band
MUS 400C (Spring 2022) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 400E (Fall 2021) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 500E (Fall 2021) -
Doctoral Recitals
MUS 925 (Fall 2021) -
Intro to Conducting
MUS 370 (Fall 2021) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 685 (Fall 2021) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 785 (Fall 2021)
2020-21 Courses
-
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 400E (Spring 2021) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 500E (Spring 2021) -
Doctoral Recitals
MUS 925 (Spring 2021) -
Independent Study
MUS 499 (Spring 2021) -
Int Instrmnt+Choral Cond
MUS 371 (Spring 2021) -
Master's Recital
MUS 915 (Spring 2021) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 685 (Spring 2021) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 785 (Spring 2021) -
Symphonic Band
MUS 400C (Spring 2021) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 400E (Fall 2020) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 500E (Fall 2020) -
Doctoral Recitals
MUS 925 (Fall 2020) -
Hist+Lit Of Wind Band
MUS 525 (Fall 2020) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 580 (Fall 2020) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 685 (Fall 2020) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 785 (Fall 2020) -
Small Conducted Ensemble
MUS 402 (Fall 2020)
2019-20 Courses
-
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 200E (Spring 2020) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 400E (Spring 2020) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 500E (Spring 2020) -
Doctoral Recitals
MUS 925 (Spring 2020) -
Int Instrmnt+Choral Cond
MUS 371 (Spring 2020) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 580 (Spring 2020) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 685 (Spring 2020) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 785 (Spring 2020) -
Practicum
MUS 694 (Spring 2020) -
Symphonic Band
MUS 200C (Spring 2020) -
Symphonic Band
MUS 400C (Spring 2020) -
Symphonic Band
MUS 500C (Spring 2020) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 200E (Fall 2019) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 400E (Fall 2019) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 500E (Fall 2019) -
Doctoral Recitals
MUS 925 (Fall 2019) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 580 (Fall 2019) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 685 (Fall 2019) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 785 (Fall 2019) -
Practicum
MUS 694 (Fall 2019)
2018-19 Courses
-
Coached Ensemble
MUS 401 (Spring 2019) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 200E (Spring 2019) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 400E (Spring 2019) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 500E (Spring 2019) -
Doctoral Recitals
MUS 925 (Spring 2019) -
Int Instrmnt+Choral Cond
MUS 371 (Spring 2019) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 580 (Spring 2019) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 585 (Spring 2019) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 785 (Spring 2019) -
Practicum
MUS 694 (Spring 2019) -
Small Conducted Ensemble
MUS 502 (Spring 2019) -
Symphonic Band
MUS 200C (Spring 2019) -
Symphonic Band
MUS 400C (Spring 2019) -
Symphonic Band
MUS 500C (Spring 2019) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 200E (Fall 2018) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 400E (Fall 2018) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 500E (Fall 2018) -
Doctoral Recitals
MUS 925 (Fall 2018) -
Hist+Lit Of Wind Band
MUS 525 (Fall 2018) -
Honors Thesis
MUS 498H (Fall 2018) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 785 (Fall 2018) -
Practicum
MUS 694 (Fall 2018) -
Small Conducted Ensemble
MUS 202 (Fall 2018) -
Small Conducted Ensemble
MUS 502 (Fall 2018)
2017-18 Courses
-
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 200E (Spring 2018) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 400E (Spring 2018) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 500E (Spring 2018) -
Doctoral Recitals
MUS 925 (Spring 2018) -
Int Instrmnt+Choral Cond
MUS 371 (Spring 2018) -
Master's Recital
MUS 915 (Spring 2018) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 685 (Spring 2018) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 785 (Spring 2018) -
Small Conducted Ensemble
MUS 502 (Spring 2018) -
Symphonic Band
MUS 200C (Spring 2018) -
Symphonic Band
MUS 400C (Spring 2018) -
Symphonic Band
MUS 500C (Spring 2018) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 200E (Fall 2017) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 400E (Fall 2017) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 500E (Fall 2017) -
Doctoral Recitals
MUS 925 (Fall 2017) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 585 (Fall 2017) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 685 (Fall 2017) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 785 (Fall 2017) -
Small Conducted Ensemble
MUS 502 (Fall 2017)
2016-17 Courses
-
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 200E (Spring 2017) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 400E (Spring 2017) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 500E (Spring 2017) -
Hist+Lit Of Wind Band
MUS 525 (Spring 2017) -
Int Instrmnt+Choral Cond
MUS 371 (Spring 2017) -
Master's Recital
MUS 915 (Spring 2017) -
Music Individual Studies
MUSI 685 (Spring 2017) -
Small Conducted Ensemble
MUS 202 (Spring 2017) -
Small Conducted Ensemble
MUS 402 (Spring 2017) -
Small Conducted Ensemble
MUS 502 (Spring 2017) -
Symphonic Band
MUS 200C (Spring 2017) -
Symphonic Band
MUS 400C (Spring 2017) -
Symphonic Band
MUS 500C (Spring 2017) -
Coached Ensemble
MUS 401 (Fall 2016) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 200E (Fall 2016) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 400E (Fall 2016) -
Conducted Instm Ensemble
MUS 500E (Fall 2016) -
Conducting
MUSI 685Q (Fall 2016) -
Intro to Conducting
MUS 370 (Fall 2016) -
Master's Recital
MUS 915 (Fall 2016) -
Small Conducted Ensemble
MUS 202 (Fall 2016) -
Small Conducted Ensemble
MUS 402 (Fall 2016)
Scholarly Contributions
Chapters
- Nicholson, C. R. (2017). Keeping Rehearsals Fresh. In The Conductor's Companion: 100 Rehearsal Techniques, Imaginative ideas, Quotes and Facts(pp 55-56). Meredith Music Publishers.
Other Teaching Materials
- Nicholson, C. R. (2020. Pro Tips for Band Directors: Gustav Holst: First Suite in E-Flat. Forward Motion/Manhattan Concert Productions LLC.More infoI developed a new online instructional series to answer to the needs of professional conductors who want to enhance their skills and knowledge as conductors.This is a video course from my first unit, "Exploring the Masterworks."Each published course runs from 6-9 hours in length and utilizes multimedia to demonstrate score analysis, conducting gesture, and the historical context of the masterpieces of the wind band repertoire.
- Nicholson, C. R. (2020. Pro Tips for Band Directors: Gustav Holst: Second Suite in F. Forward Motion/Manhattan Concert Productions LLC.More infoI developed a new online instructional series to answer to the needs of professional conductors who want to enhance their skills and knowledge as conductors.This is a video course from my first unit, "Exploring the Masterworks."Each published course runs from 6-9 hours in length and utilizes multimedia to demonstrate score analysis, conducting gesture, and the historical context of the masterpieces of the wind band repertoire.
- Nicholson, C. R. (2020. Pro Tips for Band Directors: Norman Dello Joio: Scenes from the Louvre. Forward Motion/Manhattan Concert Productions LLC.More infoI developed a new online instructional series to answer to the needs of professional conductors who want to enhance their skills and knowledge as conductors.This is a video course from my first unit, "Exploring the Masterworks."Each published course runs from 6-9 hours in length and utilizes multimedia to demonstrate score analysis, conducting gesture, and the historical context of the masterpieces of the wind band repertoire.
- Nicholson, C. R. (2020. Pro Tips for Band Directors: Percy Grainger: Colonial Song. Forward Motion/Manhattan Concert Productions LLC.More infoI developed a new online instructional series to answer to the needs of professional conductors who want to enhance their skills and knowledge as conductors.This is a video course from my first unit, "Exploring the Masterworks."Each published course runs from 6-9 hours in length and utilizes multimedia to demonstrate score analysis, conducting gesture, and the historical context of the masterpieces of the wind band repertoire.
- Nicholson, C. R. (2020. Pro Tips for Band Directors: Ralph Vaughan Williams: English Folk Song Suite. Forward Motion/Manhattan Concert Productions LLC.More infoI developed a new online instructional series to answer to the needs of professional conductors who want to enhance their skills and knowledge as conductors.This is a video course from my first unit, "Exploring the Masterworks."Each published course runs from 6-9 hours in length and utilizes multimedia to demonstrate score analysis, conducting gesture, and the historical context of the masterpieces of the wind band repertoire.
Others
- Nicholson, C. R. (2022, March). Joy and Monsters: The Music of joel Love. https://www.soundset.com/album/SR1130/?sort=&asc_desc=DESC&resultpage=
Creative Works
- Consortium Premiere of New Work for Wind Ensemble; Symphonic Wind Ensemble; Cait Nishimura Music; November 2018; Canadian Composer and music educator, Cait Nishimura, was commisssioned by a group of univerities for a work that was premiered by the UA Symphonic Band. This UA ensemble provides performance opportunities for students across the UA campus and is an outstanding outreach ensemble for our campus.The piece, In Dreams, explores the crossover between dreams and reality.The work was premiered by the UA Symphonic Band, Yudai Ueda, conducting, on 12/9/2019.
- Selecting the Best Trip for your Students; Print and Online Magazine; Timeless Communications; November 2016; School Band and Orchestra Magazine; I was interviewed by the author of this article and subsequently cited in the final printed edition. The author was aware that I have done a signficiant amount of work conducting ensembles who are on a major trip or tour. I have been a vocal supporter of providing quality musical learning experiences to students while traveling, as it is often the case that a band trip becomes more about the theme parks and less about the development of musical artistry.
- The Instant Gratification Culture: Use it to Your Advantage; National Association for Music Education; June 2016; Official website for the National Association for Music Education, http://www.nafme.org/instant-gratification-culture-use-advantage/; Shortly after being selected through a competitve juried process to speak at the NAfME National Conference in 2016, the organization asked me to write a blog post on the same topic to be featured nationally.
- Consortium Commission of New Work for Wind Ensemble and Prerecorded Track; Symphonic Wind Ensemble; Activist Music LLC; January 2020; Notable composer and Alex Shapiro was commisssioned by a consortium if university wind ensmebles to create her new piece for wind band, Ascent.ASCENT reflects the effort to get off the ground, literally or figuratively. It's a micro-overture that begins with the promise of upward transcendence, yet soon flies off into rogue disorganization. The raucous flock of many notes finally gathers into a united upward-headed murmuration, but the freedom of soaring into the sky brings an uneasy mystery before settling into the tranquil air of anticipation.The premiere performance has been delayed due to COVID-19.
- Consortium Commission and Premiere of New Work for Wind Ensemble; Symphonic Wind Ensemble; ACTIVIST MUSIC LLC,; December 2021; I collaborated with 23 university wind band cunductors around the country to commission a new work from Ms. Alex Shapirt entitled Ascent. This was a grounbreaking premiere that combined synthesized soundscapes with the acoutic performance of the UA students.
- World Premiere of New Work for Wind Ensemble; Symphonic Wind Ensemble; Murphy Music Press; December 2021; I collaborated with Daniel Asia's DMA student, Joshua Nichols, in 2020 to provide mentorship for his final document: a new symphonic poem for wind ensemble. Although Dr. Nichols graduate in Spring 2021, the resulting four-movement piece, Hansel und Gretel, was performed in Fall 2021 with continued collaboration with the composer.
- Consortium Commission and Premiere of New Work for Virtual Wind Ensemble; Wind Ensemble; Ryan Williams Music; April 2020; The UA Wind Ensemble commissioned a new work in response to the COVID-19 issues, entitle Mandatory Social Distancing, by Ryan Williams.This unique work was written, prepared, and performed over the course of weeks in Spring 2020. 757 students across the country participated in the multimedia premire, which occurred online on April 30, 2020.This was a special opportunity to rehearse and perform when most students could not do so: Mandatory Social Distancing for virtual wind ensemble - YouTubeThe Consortium Premiere was on December 7, 2019, in Crowder Hall.
- Consortium Commission of New Work for Wind Ensemble; Symphonic Wind Ensemble; Steven Bryant / Gorilla Salad Productions (ASCAP); April 2019; This new work commissioned from composer Steven Bryant utilizes electronic and acoustic instruments in an all-encompassing performance. The piece was premiered by the UA Wind Ensemble in Spring 2022.
- Consortium Premiere of New Work for Chamber Winds; Chamber Wind Ensemble; Wento Ames Music; April 2018; The UA Wind Ensemble commissioned a new work for wind octet as part of a consortium of institutions led by Hartwick College. The composer, JoAnne Harris, has written for movies, television, and now, for wind ensemble.The work, Dawn Chorus, is composed for the same instrumentation as the Stravinsky Octet and elicits the many counds and feelings of early morning.The Consortium Premiere was on December 7, 2019, in Crowder Hall.
- Chorale for Wind Ensemble; Commission and premiere of a new work for wind ensemle entitled Chorale by Joshua Nichols. It was composed by a former student of Dr. Daniel Asia and was premiered at Dr. Asia's final Music + Festival.
- Dust for Wind Ensemble and Brass Quintet; Consortium Commission for new work for Wind Ensemble by Jennifer Jolley and the Seraph Brass, a professional all-femmale brass quintet
- Luminance; Consortium Commission of a new work for Wind Ensemble entitled Luminance by Shuing Li
- Sunflower Studies; Consortium Commission of a new work for Wind Ensemble entitles Sunflower Studies by Nicole Piunno.
- University of Oregon Research Contributor-Graduate Thesis; I was selected as a resource for a new study to evaluate high quality repertoire in the march style. I provided my expertise and information about repertoire toward a Master of Music Education research project for a thesis at the University of Oregon.
- Sum of Our Parts; Newly commissioned piece for Wind Ensemble, entitled The Sum of Our Parts by Allison Loggins-Hull