Senior Composition Recital - Cameron Nielson, Trumpet

Sat. November 23, 7:30pm PST

Performing Arts Center 155 - Concert Hall
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Disability Accommodations

Equal Opportunity Institution. 24+ hours advance notice is appreciated for accommodations.

Cameron Nielson presents:

Collaboration

Throughout my undergraduate studies, nothing has been more important to me than collaborating with my friends and colleagues. It has been the source of the projects I have been most proud of. In this recital, there will be five works performed that exemplify this. Opening the recital, graduate conductor Tyler Jones will lead a performance of my award-winning trumpet octet 'Sketches in a Trumpet Wasteland'. I will be joined by seven members of the WWU trumpet studio in this performance. Next, Mica Della Sala will give the premiere performance of 'Progression'. Written for my close friend Lucas Webster, 'Progression' tells the story of a young percussionists journey from birth to the age 21. Next, close friend Amara Farah will perform my second and fourth piano miniatures. These are short, sweet movements, and part of a continuing body of work that I will likely continue to add to for the rest of my life. Each movement is dedicated to a specific person in my life. Before intermission, I will invite a small chamber orchestra on stage. Under my baton, we will give the second performance of Toby Bruce and I's 'Epilogue for Ukulele and Chamber Orchestra'. Originally written for Toby's senior recital, it was the start of what is sure to be a long collaborative career between us. There was a new version created with percussion ensemble accompaniment, which saw it's premiere in Spain over the summer.

After intermission, there will be one more collaboration showcased. In April, I assembled a small orchestra and recorded my first short film score. I have assembled an orchestra yet again, and we will be performing my new Concert Suite from 'ALPHA'. There have been additional instruments and sections added to the existing cues. Stills from the film will be shown alongside the music.

Biography

Cameron Nielson is a senior at Western Washington University finishing up a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Composition. Originally also pursuing a degree in Music Education, he focused on composition upon realizing his education aspirations lay at the collegiate level. He has played trumpet since fifth grade and has continued to do so at a high level throughout his undergraduate career.

Cameron performs as a member and student conductor with the Western Symphony Orchestra, Wind Symphony, New Music Ensemble, Western Brass, and various chamber ensembles. He has served as the principal trumpet in the Wind Symphony since 2023. In the Western Symphony Orchestra, he has had the honor of performing pieces such as E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial live in concert, the unofficial U.S. premiere of John Williams' Prelude and Scherzo for Piano and Orchestra with Grammy-winning pianist Gloria Cheng, and the second performance of Bruce Ruddell's The Healing Heart of the First People of This Land.

His compositional career has blossomed in the latter half of his time in his undergraduate degree. In May of 2023, he conducted the premiere of Epilogue for Ukulele and Chamber orchestra, a unique collaboration with fellow Western student Toby Bruce. A new version of the piece with percussion ensemble accompaniment premiered in Spain in July of 2024. As part of their annual call for new works, his trumpet octet Sketches in a Trumpet Wasteland was premiered in Minneapolis at the 2023 Internation Trumpet Guild conference. He wrote the score for the short film ALPHA and recorded it in April 2024 with a chamber orchestra built with Western students and alumni.

Upon completion of his undergraduate degree, Cameron looks forward to beginning work on his graduate degree in orchestral conducting at Western with Dr. Ryan Dudenbostel.

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