Bio
Joseph Hasper is an American composer best known for his evocative jazz compositions and arrangements. He has written large-scale works for the Holland Symphony Orchestra, the Carolina Cool Jazz Orchestra, the Newburg Symphony, Pacific Fresno University, and York College of Pennsylvania, and smaller works for countless professional and educational ensembles. He is the recipient of a Robberson Performance Grant, the Michael Hennigan Scholarship, and Parade of American Music Composers Award.
Joseph studied composition at Carnegie-Mellon University with Marilyn Taft Thomas and Leonardo Balada, where he composed the musicals Carried Away and Movie Music, and co-wrote Salem After Midnight. After earning a BFA in composition from Carnegie-Mellon University he studied jazz theory and arranging at the Mannes College of Music with Rich Shemeira and Phil Markowitz, completed music courses at the Armed Forces School of Music in 1986 and 1990, and earned additional music theory credits from the Army Institute for Professional Development. In 2004 he completed a Masters Degree, and is currently studying composition with Marvin Lamb at the University of Oklahoma in the Doctor of Musical Arts Program.
He has been active since 1981 as an arranger, piano soloist, sideman and combo leader. Notable engagements include long-running jazz trio gigs at the Seoul Hyatt; keyboardist and arranger for Harriet LeGrant from 1988-90; and keyboardist and arranger for The Great Scott Band in Asbury Park, NJ (1991-1993), and staff arranger US Army Bands based in Alabama, Washington State, New Jersey and Korea (1986-1995).
In addition to jazz compositions, over 100 of his band, wind ensemble and orchestral works have been publicly performed by military, professional, amateur and school ensembles across the world. Highlights include the premiere of A Stephen Foster Medley at the opening of the Asiatic Bandmasters Conference in Seoul, Korea in 1988; Concertino for Piano and Orchestra in 1990; a 45-minute patriotic band program for the 1991 Monmouth County Independence Day Celebration; the US premiere of Requiem For A Moment (for solo guitar and wind ensemble) with guitarists Eric Peterson with Robert Laskey in 1993; 22 orchestral arrangements for the Holland Symphony Orchestra’s 2007 Tulip Time pops concert; reading of I'm Onto You (jazz orchestra) at the 2010 ASTA conference; Onward Fresno!, commissioned by Fresno Pacific University; Autumn Invasion (concert band), commissioned in 2010 for the Thomas Grover Middle School; Dream Trajectories, commissioned by organist Joseph Henry; and Portrait of Scotland (solo guitar) at the Carnegie-Mellon University centennial exhibition.
Joseph studied composition at Carnegie-Mellon University with Marilyn Taft Thomas and Leonardo Balada, where he composed the musicals Carried Away and Movie Music, and co-wrote Salem After Midnight. After earning a BFA in composition from Carnegie-Mellon University he studied jazz theory and arranging at the Mannes College of Music with Rich Shemeira and Phil Markowitz, completed music courses at the Armed Forces School of Music in 1986 and 1990, and earned additional music theory credits from the Army Institute for Professional Development. In 2004 he completed a Masters Degree, and is currently studying composition with Marvin Lamb at the University of Oklahoma in the Doctor of Musical Arts Program.
He has been active since 1981 as an arranger, piano soloist, sideman and combo leader. Notable engagements include long-running jazz trio gigs at the Seoul Hyatt; keyboardist and arranger for Harriet LeGrant from 1988-90; and keyboardist and arranger for The Great Scott Band in Asbury Park, NJ (1991-1993), and staff arranger US Army Bands based in Alabama, Washington State, New Jersey and Korea (1986-1995).
In addition to jazz compositions, over 100 of his band, wind ensemble and orchestral works have been publicly performed by military, professional, amateur and school ensembles across the world. Highlights include the premiere of A Stephen Foster Medley at the opening of the Asiatic Bandmasters Conference in Seoul, Korea in 1988; Concertino for Piano and Orchestra in 1990; a 45-minute patriotic band program for the 1991 Monmouth County Independence Day Celebration; the US premiere of Requiem For A Moment (for solo guitar and wind ensemble) with guitarists Eric Peterson with Robert Laskey in 1993; 22 orchestral arrangements for the Holland Symphony Orchestra’s 2007 Tulip Time pops concert; reading of I'm Onto You (jazz orchestra) at the 2010 ASTA conference; Onward Fresno!, commissioned by Fresno Pacific University; Autumn Invasion (concert band), commissioned in 2010 for the Thomas Grover Middle School; Dream Trajectories, commissioned by organist Joseph Henry; and Portrait of Scotland (solo guitar) at the Carnegie-Mellon University centennial exhibition.
Curriculae Vitae
EDUCATION
University of Oklahoma Norman, OK (2009-present)
DMA studies in music composition with Marvin Lamb and electronic music with Konstantinos Karathanasis. Performing member of New Century Ensemble.
American Intercontinental University Hoffman Estates, IL
MEd (Instructional Technology), 2004. In-depth study of learning processes, learning theory,and curriculum design. Thesis project: Self-paced, online Jazz Harmony Course.
Carnegie-Mellon University Pittsburgh, PA
BFA (Music Composition), 1992. Composition studies with Leonardo Balada and Marilyn Taft Thomas. Performed with University Chorus and Jazz Ensemble, including performances at Carnegie Hall (New York), Heinz Hall (Pittsburgh) and Pittsburgh Civic Arena. Master classes with Iannis Xenakis, Ward Swingle, John Harbison. Second prize in Orchestral Composition Competition. Student teacher for 20th Century Techniques class.
Manhattan School of Music New York, NY
Professional Studies, 1990-1991. Jazz Composition lessons with Rich Shemeira and Phil Markowitz. Reading sessions of original works with the school jazz ensemble with a focus on developing a personal writing style.
Armed Forces School Of Music Norfolk, VA
Certificate (Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course), 1991. Six-week program including advanced ear training, traditional and jazz harmony, instrumental conducting, rehearsal techniques, and private piano lessons. Rehearsed small ensembles on a daily basis.
Army Institute for Professional Development Newport News, VA
Bandmaster Training Course, 1991. Completed 242 credit hours including Traditional Harmony, Conducting, Orchestration, Jazz Theory and Music History. 3.66 GPA.
Armed Forces School Of Music Norfolk, VA
Certificate (Basic Musician Course), 1986. Twenty-six week program including ear
training, traditional and jazz harmony, jazz ensemble performance, wind ensemble
performance, marching band performance, and private piano lessons. Gained familiarity with wind ensemble and band repertoire. Minor in mallet and auxiliary percussion.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Assistant Professor of Military Science, University of Oklahoma (2008-present)
Taught Leadership & Management, Intro to Leadership, and Advanced Tactics classes. Designed a new interdisciplinary course in leadership for the Summer 2008 semester. Webmaster for the Military Science Department (2008-2009). Managed $223,000 in scholarships as department Scholarship Officer.
Assistant Professor, Cameron University (2006-2008)
Taught Introduction to Leadership and Leadership/Management Compression classes. Represented the department in the Faculty Senate (2007-2008). As department recruiter increased overall enrollment to the highest levels in seven years. Served on the Dean Search Committee for the Science and Technology (2007-2008).
Arranger and Composer, Jazz Charts Online (1986-present)
Established a web-based music publishing company specializing in jazz arrangements. Over 28,000 original jazz compositions and arrangements sold to a global clientele, including orchestra, wind band, jazz ensemble, and jazz combo works. Client base includes professional, educational and amateur groups in 43 states and 25 countries.
§ Advanced proficiency with Coda Finale, Adobe Acrobat, and Microsoft Office.
§ Knowledge of Max/MSP, MIDI controllers, sequencing, and digital editing.
§ Negotiated royalty agreements with Warner Brothers Publications, EMI and Alfred Music to ensure full copyright law compliance.
Piano Accompanist (2005 – 2007)
Accompanied 8 high school and middle school soloists for their Central Oklahoma
Directors Association contest auditions. Each soloist received a “1” rating by the jury, the highest rating possible. Selections included Claude Bolling’s Suite for Piano and Jazz Flute and works from the baroque through classical periods.
Piano Player and Trombone Player (1987 – 1995)
Performed over 300 jazz piano engagements as soloist and in trios, quartets, and larger ensembles as a side man and as leader. Performed on trombone with a 60 member chorus and orchestra and contributed over a dozen arrangements to the largest church orchestra in southeast Alabama.
Staff Arranger and Pianist, US Army Bands (1986 – 1996)
Premiered over 100 new arrangements and compositions with US, Canadian, British and Korean military bands. Earned qualification to teach piano at Armed Forces School of Music. Performed over 1200 public concerts as pianist, percussionist and conductor. Finalist in auditions for Music Arranger, West Point Military Academy Band (1988). Rehearsed, led and performed with small jazz ensembles and pop-rock show bands on a daily basis for eight years for hundreds of public performances.
Theory Instructor (1987-1991)
Private theory and arranging lessons to adult amateur musicians leading to successful public and sacred performances of their works in a variety of liturgical and secular settings. Developed outcomes, lessons plans and materials adopted from a variety of sources to meet individual needs and abilities. Taught Jazz Harmony to 30 US Army Band students in a six-week program. Each student
was able to demonstrate their proficiency by arranging a jazz standard for a small combo using idiomatic conventions.
PAPERS, PRESENTATIONS & EXHIBITIONS
Introducing Contemporary Composition Techniques to Grade School Musicians presented at the University of Oklahoma's Student Research and Performance exposition (2010) .
Onward Fresno! presented at Oklahoma Composers Alliance (November 2009). Reading and recording session with the University of Oklahoma Symphonic Band in April, 2010.
Score and recording of Portrait of Scotland (guitar solo) shown at Carnegie-Mellon University’s “100% Centennial” exhibition, January 2007 in the Regina Miller Gallery.
PUBLICATIONS AND RECORDINGS
Concertino for Trombone and Piano (with Joseph LaRosa), Wehr Music House, 2010.
“The MIDI Volume Fader,” Electronic Musician Magazine, March 1990. How-to article (2000 words) describing how to build a universal MIDI volume mixer using an original integrated (TTL) circuit.
“Additive Synthesis With The Yamaha TX81Z,” Electronic Musician Magazine, unpublished. Practical and theoretical article on using complex waveforms to perform additive synthesis using a multi-timbral synthesizer.
“Don’t Let Them Burn The Flag,” Trend Records, Inc., 1988. Original country/western song, locally produced and recorded in Dothan, Alabama. Received over two weeks of local radio airplay.
THEATRICAL CREDITS
The Wiz (musical theater), Griebling School, Farmingdale, NJ (1992). Scored and recorded a synthesizer performance as backing music for live performances by middle school students.
Guys and Dolls (musical theater), Myung-Jin Theater Group, Seoul, Korea (1989). Adapted and scored the first-ever Korean language production of the musical. Worked with American and Korean musicians to produce and record the full score in a three week period.
Movie Music (co-authored with Mark Lieberman) (performance art), The Famous Rider Theater, Pittsburgh, PA (1985). Composed a spatial, stochastic score for the hour-long production using between five and twelve instruments. Made contractual arrangements with the theater. Designed advertising and promotional material. Auditioned and rehearsed actors, musicians and dancers.
Salem After Midnight (musical theater), Scotch ‘n Soda Club, Carnegie-Mellon University (1984). Composed eight songs for the show, and scored the entire show for live performances. Rehearsed and conducted the pit orchestra of 12 musicians.
Carried Away (musical theater), Scotch ‘n Soda Club, Carnegie-Mellon University (1983). Wrote 21 songs and incidental music. Scored the entire show. Rehearsed and conducted the pit orchestra. Played cameo role of “the harried music director.”
To Kill A Mockingbird (theater), Scotch ‘n Soda Club, Carnegie-Mellon University (1982). Composed original incidental music. Recorded live and synthesized sound effects according to the director’s specifications.
SIGNIFICANT COMPOSITIONS
Orchestral
§ Concertino for Piano and Orchestra (1992)
§ The Road To Perdition (The Fifth Ring) (String Orchestra) (2010)
§ Densities (2006)
§ Without and Within
§ Twenty-four jazz arrangements for the Holland Symphony Orchestra, 2007
§ Eight jazz arrangements for the Carolina Cool Jazz Orchestra, 2006-2008
Wind Ensemble and Concert Band
§ Autumn Invasion (2010)
§ Onward Fresno! (2009)
§ All The Angels Swing (1986)
§ A Little Bit Of Bethlehem (with jazz vocalist) (1992)
§ The End of Reason
§ Prelude and March
§ Requiem Momento (Wind Ensemble with solo classical guitar) (1989)
§ Stephen Foster Medley (1988)
§ Three Traditional German Carols
§ The 98th
§ Armada
§ The Barrowdowns
§ Centurian
§ Concert Fanfare
§ Fanfare No. 2 "Christmas"
§ Fanfare No. 3 "America"
§ Ignorance Is Strength
§ Porky's Pig
§ Show Us The Way
§ Sonata For Band
§ Taciturn
§ Valse Salsa
§ Numerous arrangements and adaptations
Marching Band
§ Onward Fresno! (2009)
§ Aviation and the Army Green
§ The Enterprise Ledger March (1988)
§ Happy Camper March (1987)
§ Irish Medley (1990)
§ The Last Retreat
§ Numerous arrangements and adaptations
Jazz Ensemble
§ All About Lenny (1983)
§ Blues For Kim (1984)
§ Deck The Halls (1989)
§ Dis ‘n Dat
§ Samba for Someone (1990)
§ Samba Du Jour (1991)
§ Song For “J” (1990)
§ Such A Simple Thing (1984)
§ Numerous arrangements and adaptations
Musical Theater
§ Carried Away (book by Mark Levine), original score and orchestrations (1982)
§ Guys and Dolls (orchestration and adaptation) (1989)
§ Movie Music (with Mark Lieberman), original score and orchestrations (1985)
§ Salem After Midnight (book by Darren Beville), orchestrations and additional songs (1983)
§ The Wiz (orchestration and adaptation) (1991)
Choral & Vocal
§ When Icicles Hang By The Hall (SATB with viola or piano) (2009)
§ For Elise (Not My Niece) (SATB) (2010)
§ Requiem Aeternam (SATB, a cappella) 2006
§ Psalm 130:1 (A/T/B)
§ Songs of Despair and Quiet Wonder (SATB with string quartet)
§ A Woman Sings a Song for a Soldier Coming Home (SATB)
§ The Star Spangled Banner (SSAATTBB, a cappella) (2008)
Strings
§ To Perdition (String Quartet) (2009)
§ The Fifth Ring (String Orchestra) (2010)
§ I'm Onto You (Strings with rhythm section) (2010)
§ Numbers (Quartet)
§ Songs for Today and Tomorrow (Quintet)
§ String Salad (Quartet)
§ String Salad II (Quartet)
§ Songs Of Despair And Quiet Wonder (SATB with string quartet)
§ Songs For Today And Tomorrow (Quintet)
§ Ramsey, Please... (Quartet with Baritone)
Piano and Organ
§ Dream Trajectories (organ) (2010)
§ Czeska Moderne
§ Two Sentiments for Piano
§ 4.2 On The Richter Scale
§ Allegro Declamato
§ Atonal Biopsy
§ Bagatelle Sombre
§ Country Dance
§ Cseska Moderne
§ Destiny
§ Fugue On A Theme By Gounod
§ Invention
§ Ocean Sketch #1
§ Ocean Sketch #2
§ Ocean Sketch #3
§ Outrow 5
§ Spanish Rain
§ Study In G
§ Subtle Disaster
§ Two Sentiments
§ Dialogue For Piano & Metronome
Guitar
§ Equilibrium (with violin, horn, and bassoon) (1982)
§ Notes On Guitar (1983)
§ Portrait of Scotland (2006)
§ Requiem Momento (Wind Ensemble with solo classical guitar) (1989)
Brass
§ Brass Quartet #9 (Quintet)
§ Broadening Plains, The (Quintet)
§ Exercise For Brass (Quintet)
§ Fanfare For An Armistice (Quartet)
§ In A Minor Way (Quintet)
§ Mithril And Iron (Quartet) (1982)
§ Wiregrass Suite (Quintet) (1987)
Woodwinds
§ Variations on O Worship The King (Clarinet and Piano) (2009)
§ Suite For Clarinets
§ Mirrors (Clarinet and Vibraphone) (2009)
§ Sonata For Clarinet And Timpani
§ Proverbs
§ Fantasie
§ Woodwind Quintet #1 In C Minor
§ Woodwind Quintet (1982)
Electronic
§ Atari Algorythm, The
§ Movement 1: 3 Voices
§ Duet With Effects (Fl, Bassoon, Tape) (1984)
Mixed Small Ensemble
§ Mirrors (Clarinet and Vibes) (2009)
§ Sextet (Flute, Bassoon, String Quartet)
§ Equilibrium (with violin, horn, and bassoon) (1982)
§ Piano Trio "Convergents" (1985)
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Broadcast Music International (BMI)
American String Teachers Association String Industry Council
American Composers Forum
Oklahoma Composers Association
WEB REFERENCES
www.jazz-charts.com - Home page
PARTIAL LIST OF ARRANGING CLIENTS
Carolina Cool Jazz Orchestra, North Carolina
Holland Symphony Orchestra, Holland, Michigan
Lake Effect Chorale, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Newburgh Symphony, Newburgh New York
US Military Academy, West Point, New York
98th Army Band, Daleville, Alabama
389th Army Band, Monmouth, New Jersey
56th Army Band, Tacoma, Washington
I Corps Band, Tacoma, Washington
Eighth US Army Band, Seoul, Korea
York College Jazz Ensemble, York, Pennsylvania
Nashua HS Jazz Ensemble, Nashua, NH
Min Jung Theater Company, Seoul, Korea
Fresno Pacific University
Williamson County HS, Brentwood, Tennessee
Alcovy HS, Covington, Georgia
Nordhoff High School, Ojai, California
Penn State University, College Park, Pennsylvania
Boyne City Public Schools, Boyne City, Michigan
Boise State University, Kuna, Idaho
Clemson University, Central, South Carolina
Longwood University, Farmville, Virginia
Wilmington College, Wilmington, Delaware
Carbondale Middle School, Glenwood Springs, Colorado
New York University, New York, New York
Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Ugo Pallitto, tenor, Naples, Italy
Seran Bilgi and the Sunshine Band, Turkey
Thomas R. Grover Middle School, New Jersey