We welcome Dr. Jason Nam, assistant professor of music in bands at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music to The Band Room. We spoke about the beginnings of his musical journey, his path to IU, tokenism in our field, the importance of expanding our canon, working with living composers and so much more!

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About Jason

Jason H. Nam is assistant professor of music in bands at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where he directs the Concert Band and teaches undergraduate courses in instrumental conducting, administration of school bands, and wind literature.

 

Nam earned a Doctor of Music in Wind Conducting degree from the Jacobs School, where he studied with Stephen W. Pratt. Nam also earned an M.M. in Conducting and a B.M. in Music Education from the University of Redlands, where he studied with Eddie R. Smith.

 

Prior to his graduate degree work, Nam served as a lecturer in the Department of Music at California State University San Bernardino and as director of bands at La Colina Junior High School and San Marcos High School in Santa Barbara, California. More recently, he has served as a faculty member, ensemble conductor, and director of the IU Summer Music Clinic.

 

Nam keeps a very busy schedule as a conductor, adjudicator, and clinician across the United States and North America. As a conductor, he was honored to be named a national finalist for The American Prize in Conducting (Band/Wind Ensemble division) in 2017.

His IU Concert Band was recently honored to be invited to perform at the 2020 College Band Directors National Association North Central Conference in Chicago, Illinois.

 

In addition, Nam currently serves as resident music director of the Bloomington-based Southern Indiana Wind Ensemble.

 

He has been published in the Journal of the National Band Association and the American Bandmasters Association’s Journal of Band Research. His research interests include the music of William Bolcom, the wind chamber music of Igor Stravinsky, the historical development of the wind band repertoire in the twentieth century, and effective rehearsal methodologies for conductors.

 

Nam currently serves on the national selection committee for the NBA/William D. Revelli Memorial Band Composition Contest and holds professional memberships in the College Band Directors National Association, National Band Association, Conductor’s Guild, Indiana Music Education Association, and Pi Kappa Lambda music honor society. He is also a proud member of the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity of America.

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