Bio

Joseph Hasper was born in 1963 and studied composition at the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts, Carnegie-Mellon University, the Armed Forces School of Music, the Army Institute for Professional Development, the Mannes College of Music, and the University of Oklahoma. His teachers include Leonardo Balada, David Berlin, Marilyn Taft Thomas, Konstantinos Karathanasis and Marvin Lamb. He is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Oklahoma where he performs with the New Century Ensemble.

 His compositions have been performed by the Holland Symphony Orchestra, Newburg Symphony, Carolina Cool Jazz Orchestra, Texas Christian University, Fresno Pacific University, York College, University of Oklahoma School of Dance, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Eighth US Army Band, I Corps Army Band, 389th Army Band (AMC's Own), 98th Army Band, and numerous professional and educational ensembles at home and abroad. His compositional awards include the National Federation of Music Clubs Composers Award, the Michael Hennagin Memorial Scholarship, and two grants from the University of Oklahoma.

 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 his 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.

 CURRICULA VITA

EDUCATION

University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
DMA (Composition) studies studies with Marvin Lamb and electronic music with Konstantinos Karathanasis. Master classes with Chris Brubeck and Eric Hachikian. 2011 Graduate Research and Performance Program winner; 2010-2011 Michael Hennagin Composition Scholarship recipient; 2010 Robberson Performance Grant and College of Fine Arts Interdisciplinary Grant awardee. Member of New Century Ensemble.

American Intercontinental University, Hoffman Estates, IL
MEd (Instructional Technology), 2004. Study of learning processes, learning theory, and curriculum design. Thesis project: A 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. Master classes with Iannis Xenakis, Ward Swingle, John Harbison. Second prize in Orchestral Composition Competition. Student teacher for 20th Century Techniques class.

Mannes College of Music, New York, NY
Professional Studies, 1990-1991 in jazz composition with Rich Shemeira and Phil Markowitz, including full jazz ensemble reading sessions.

Armed Forces School Of Music, Norfolk, VA
Certificate (Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course), 1991. Six-week program of 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 hours of continuing education including Traditional Harmony, Conducting, Orchestration, Jazz Theory and Music History.

Armed Forces School Of Music, Norfolk, VA Certificate (Basic Musician Course), 1986. Twenty-six week program of ear training, traditional and jazz harmony, jazz ensemble performance, wind ensemble performance, marching band performance, private piano lessons and repertoire of the wind ensemble and concert band. Major in jazz piano, minor in mallet and auxiliary percussion.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Assistant Professor of Military Science, University of Oklahoma (2008-present)
Courses taught: Fundamentals of Leadership, Introduction to Leadership & Management, Intermediate Techniques of Leadership & Management, Basic Leadership Laboratory, Advanced Leadership Laboratory, Advanced Tactics.
    • Freshman adviser for an avaerage of 32 students each semester.
    • Designed a new interdisciplinary leadership course beginning in Summer 2008.
    • Webmaster for the Military Science Department (2008-2010).
    • Managed over $250,000 in scholarships as department Scholarship Officer.

Assistant Professor of Military Science, Cameron University (2006-2008)
Courses taught: Foundations of Officership, Basic Leadership.
    • 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 Science and Technology (2007-2008)

Arranger and Composer, Jazz Charts Online (1986-present)
    • Founded a web-based music publishing company specializing in jazz arrangements. Over 32,000 original jazz compositions and arrangements sold to a global clientele, including orchestral, wind band, jazz ensemble, and jazz combo works. Client base includes professional, educational and amateur groups in 43 states and 25 countries
    • Proficient with Finale, Pro Tools, Audacity, MAX/MSP, Adobe Acrobat, and MS Office
    • Experienced with MIDI controllers and sequencing, audio recording and editing

Piano Accompanist (2005–2007)
    • Accompanied high school and middle school soloists for 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
    • 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

PRESENTATIONS

November 2011. Structural Deformation: An Iterative Composition Process. Lecture and recital based on an original composition, Three Pieces In The Shape Of An Elephant (percussion quartet). University of Oklahoma.

September 2011. Acoustics of Vocal Production. Guest lectures on the physical properties of sound for voice pedagogy classes. University of Oklahoma.

March 2011. The Collaborative Process in the Fine Arts. Graduate study exhibit at the University of Oklahoma Student Research and Performance Day (with choreographer Charlotte Hart) using an original composition (Les Jongleurs, for two dancers and 10 musicians) to demonstrate a collaborative creative process. Prize winner in the Arts and Humanities division.

March 2010. Introducing Stochastic Performance to Younger Musicians. Graduate study exhibit at the University of Oklahoma Student Research and Performance Day. Analysis of the effectiveness of using indeterminate music with middle school musicians using the orginal composition Autumn Invasion as a demonstration.

November 20009. Onward Fresno! Oklahoma Composers Alliance presentation on the process of composing the new spirit song for Fresno Pacific University.

January 2007. Score and recording of Portrait of Scotland (guitar solo) shown at Carnegie-Mellon University’s “100% Centennial” exhibition at the Regina Miller Gallery.

RECENT PERFORMANCES

Immigrant (piano trio). Selected for performance at the Fresno New Music Festival by the No Left Notes Ensemble. Fresno, California (November 5, 2011).

WaTER Dance (piano, percussion, computer and dancers). Commissioned for the 2011 International Water Technologies For Emerging Regions Conference. Norman, Oklahoma (October 25, 2011).

Exile (solo xylophone and live electronics using MAX/MSP). University of Oklahoma, April 2011.

Les Jongleurs (grand pas de deux for two dancers and sextet). University of Oklahoma School of Dance, February 2011; University of Oklahoma Pittman Recital Hall, October 2010.

Dream Trajectories (organ solo). World premiere by Dr. Joseph Henry, University of Minnesota, April 2011.

When Icicles Hang by the Hall (SATB choir with piano). Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, December 2010.

Onward Fresno! (marching band). Fresno Pacific University, 2010 (multiple performances).

Autumn Invasion (concert band). Thomas R. Grover Middle School, Princeton Junction, NJ, May 2010.

ABC Dance (flute, horn and piano). University of Oklahoma School of Dance, April 2010.

Hope Dance (flute, horn and piano). University of Oklahoma School of Dance, April 2010

PUBLICATIONS AND RECORDINGS

Concertino For Trombone and Piano (with Joseph L. LaRosa), published in 2010 by Wehr’s Music House Publications.

“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, rather than sine waves, 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.

THEATRE AND DANCE CREDITS

WaTER Dance (piano, bass, percussion, computer and dancers) Commissioned for the 2011 International Water Technologies For Emerging Regions Conference. Norman, Oklahoma (October 25, 2011).

Les Jongleurs (grand pas de deux), University of Oklahoma (2010, 2011). Performed in the Pittman Recital Hall (November 2010) and the School of Dance (February 2011).

The Wiz (musical theater), Griebling School, Farmingdale, NJ (1992). Synthesizer scoring and recording for live performances by middle school students at the Griebling School.

Guys and Dolls (musical theater), Myung-Jin Theater Group, Seoul, Korea (1989). Adapted and scored the first-ever Korean language production of the musical.

Movie Music (co-authored with Mark Lieberman) (performance art), The Famous Rider Theater, Pittsburgh, PA (1985). 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 and original scoring for live performances. Rehearsed and conducted the pit orchestra of 12 musicians.

Carried Away (musical theater), Scotch ‘n Soda Club, Carnegie-Mellon University (1983). Composed and scored all music, including 21 songs and incidental music. Rehearsed and conducted the pit orchestra, and played the 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.

SIGNIFICANT COMPOSITIONS (mp3 samples availabe online)

Orchestra
• The Hallowed Ground (string orchestra) (2010)
• I Thought It Was You (jazz orchestra; commissioned by the Carolina Cool Jazz Orchestra)(2010)
• Densities (2008)
• Without and Within (1985)
• Six popular arrangements for The Sunshine Orchestra (Turkey), 2009-2010
• Twenty-four jazz arrangements for the Holland Symphony Orchestra, 2007
• Eight jazz arrangements for the Carolina Cool Jazz Orchestra, 2006-2008

Wind Ensemble/Concert Band
• Times and Tides (Fanfare and Concert March)(2011)
• Concerto for Trumpet and Band (Spirit, Soul, Heart & Hope)(2011)
• Autumn Invasion (commissioned by Thomas R. Grover Middle School Band)(2010)
• Prelude and March (2009)
• Fanfare No. 3 "America" (1993)
• A Little Bit Of Bethlehem (with jazz vocalist) (1992)
• Three Traditional German Carols (1991)
• Requiem Momento (Wind Ensemble with solo classical guitar) (1989)
• Stephen Foster Medley (1989)
• Fanfare No. 2 "Christmas" (1988)
• All The Angels Swing (1987)
• The End of Reason (1987)
• Concert Fanfare (1986)
• Numerous arrangements and adaptations

Ballet/Dance Music
• Les Jongleurs (Grand Pas de Deux for sextet)(2010)
• ABC Dance (piano trio) (2010)
• Hope Dance (piano trio) (2010)
• Z Dance (piano trio) (2010)

Marching Band
• Onward Fresno! (commissioned by Fresno Pacific University)(2009)
• The Last Retreat (1991)
• Irish Medley (1990)
• The Enterprise Ledger March (1988)
• Happy Camper March (1987)
• Numerous arrangements and adaptations

Electronic
• Exile (xylophone and MAX/MSP live electronics)(2011)
• Dream Trajectory I (2010)
• The Atari Algorythm (1984)
• Movement 1: 3 Voices (1983)
• Duet With Effects (Fl, Bassoon, Tape) (1984)

Jazz Ensemble
• All About Lenny
• Blues For Kim
• Deck The Halls
• Dis ‘n Dat
• Samba for Someone
• Samba Du Jour
• Song For “J”
• Such A Simple Thing
• Numerous arrangements and adaptations

Musical Theater
• Carried Away (book by Mark Levine), original score and orchestrations
• Guys and Dolls (orchestration and adaptation)
• Movie Music (with Mark Lieberman), original score and orchestrations
• Salem After Midnight (book by Darren Beville), orchestrations and additional songs
• The Wiz (orchestration and adaptation)

Choral & Vocal
• When Icicles Hang By The Hall (SATB with viola or piano)(2010)
• Requiem Aeternam (SATB, a cappella)(2009)
• The Star Spangled Banner (SSAATTBB, a cappella), commissioned by Lake Effect (2008)
• Psalm 130:1 (A/T/B)
• Songs of Despair and Quiet Wonder (SATB with string quartet)(1985)
• A Woman Sings a Song for a Soldier Coming Home (SATB)(1984)

Strings
• The Hallowed Ground That Heroes Trod (String Orchestra)(2010)
• The Road To Perdition (Quartet) (2009)
• Numbers (String Quartet)(1984)
• Songs for Today and Tomorrow (Quintet)
• Songs Of Despair And Quiet Wonder (SATB with string quartet)
• Songs For Today And Tomorrow (Quintet)

Piano/Organ
• Dream Trajectory (organ) (2010)
• Czeska Moderne (piano solo) (1988)
• Ocean Sketch #1 (piano solo) (1986)
• Ocean Sketch #2 (piano solo) (1987)
• Ocean Sketch #3 (piano solo) (1987)
• Two Sentiments for Piano (1982)

Guitar
• Portrait of Scotland (2004)
• Requiem Momento (Wind Ensemble with solo classical guitar)(1992)
• Notes On Guitar (1984)
• Equilibrium (with violin, horn, and bassoon)(1983)

Brass
• Twenty Ten and One (trumpet ensemble)(2011)
• Fanfare For An Armistice (brass quartet)(2005)
• Mithril And Iron (brass quartet)(1983)

Woodwinds
• Five Forms (woodwind quintet) (2011)
• Mirrors (Clarinet and vibraphone) (2010)
• Variations on 'O Worship The King' (clarinet solo)(2009)
• Woodwind Quintet (woodwind quintet)(1982)
• Proverbs (sextet) (1980)

Percussion
• Three Pieces in the Shape of an Elephant (percussion ensemble)(2011)
• Exile (xylophone and live electronics)(2011)
• Mirrors (Clarinet and vibraphone) (2010)

Mixed Ensemble
• Three Rhythmic Dances (piano trio)(2010)
• Sextet (Flute, Bassoon, String Quartet)
• Equilibrium (with violin, horn, and bassoon)
• Convergents (violin, bassoon and piano)(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)
www.jazz-charts.com/bio-and-resume.html (bio and online resume)

PARTIAL LIST OF COMMISSIONS AND ARRANGING CLIENTS

Carolina Cool Jazz Orchestra, North Carolina
Holland Symphony Orchestra, Holland, Michigan
Lake Effect Chorale, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Newburgh Symphony, Newburgh, New York
Coachella Valley Symphony, Palm Desert, Califiornia
US Military Academy, West Point, New York
Union Springs Community Band, Syracuse, New York
Radio Kings Orchestra, 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, New Hampshire
Min Jung Theater Company, Seoul, Korea
Curtis Radio Big Band, UK
Abilene Christian University, Abilene, Texas
Radio Daze Bigband, Nashville, Tennessee
Fresno Pacific University, Fresno, California
Fargo North High School, North Dakota
Williamson County HS, Brentwood, Tennessee
Alcovy HS, Covington, Georgia
Boulder High School, Boulder, Colorado
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