OU Jazz Faculty
Jay Wilkinson
Professor of Jazz - University of Oklahoma
Mr. Jay Wilkinson received his BME and MM in trumpet performance from the University of Oklahoma and has completed 48 doctoral hours at the University of North Texas.
Wilkinson is committed to raising awareness of the history and performance practice of jazz. He has contributed an article on the life of Chet Baker for “The Great Plains Encyclopedia.” He has also constructed a packet on jazz improvisation including tunes, scales, licks, motives, and study methods giving students the tools they need to become great soloists. Relative to this improvisation packet, Jay has comprised a number of original works titled, "Music for the Jazz Innovator." This is a collection of many of his original jazz compositions with instructions for the performer to interpret the music in a unique way.
Wilkinson, above all else, has proven himself as a performer. He has performed on recordings with various pop and blues bands most recently performing on an album by the Grammy nominated, "Sugar Free All-stars." Mr. Wilkinson has been awarded citations for outstanding performances for both trumpet and piano and was the lead singer for 2 local iconic dance bands. He has been featured as a soloist in at the Oklahoma Music Educators Association convention and was a featured vocalist with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic. He has sung with Oklahoma's own Ambassador's Choir and was a member of, "Rare Blend," a local barbershop quartet. He has performed around the country as a soloist and as a member of the Oklahoma Brass Quintet. As a teacher he focuses a large percentage of instruction on performance technique and performance anxiety so that students can develop a strong sense of self and not fear the stage.
Beyond his reputation as a performer, Wilkinson is also a respected jazz educator and composer. He has participated at various local jazz festivals as a judge and clinician. He has also judged at the National Trumpet Competition in the jazz and middle school divisions in trumpet performance. He spends a great deal of time arranging and composing. He is sought after by local musicians, music educators and other professionals to write various styles of music. As the director of the top jazz band at the University of Oklahoma, Wilkinson continues to perfect his methods of teaching original jazz music without the use of sheet music.
Jay Wilkinson is committed to the pursuit of musical excellence in his own playing and his students'. He stresses to all musicians, of any age, of any ability, regardless of the instrument, the importance of embracing all styles of music. This belief stems from his own success and the success of legendary musicians and teachers whom he has studied. He is a member of the University of Oklahoma Brass Quintet. He is also a member of the Lyric Theater Orchestra, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, and the Oklahoma City Jazz Orchestra.
http://www.jaywilkinsonmusic.com/
Mr. Jay Wilkinson received his BME and MM in trumpet performance from the University of Oklahoma and has completed 48 doctoral hours at the University of North Texas.
Wilkinson is committed to raising awareness of the history and performance practice of jazz. He has contributed an article on the life of Chet Baker for “The Great Plains Encyclopedia.” He has also constructed a packet on jazz improvisation including tunes, scales, licks, motives, and study methods giving students the tools they need to become great soloists. Relative to this improvisation packet, Jay has comprised a number of original works titled, "Music for the Jazz Innovator." This is a collection of many of his original jazz compositions with instructions for the performer to interpret the music in a unique way.
Wilkinson, above all else, has proven himself as a performer. He has performed on recordings with various pop and blues bands most recently performing on an album by the Grammy nominated, "Sugar Free All-stars." Mr. Wilkinson has been awarded citations for outstanding performances for both trumpet and piano and was the lead singer for 2 local iconic dance bands. He has been featured as a soloist in at the Oklahoma Music Educators Association convention and was a featured vocalist with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic. He has sung with Oklahoma's own Ambassador's Choir and was a member of, "Rare Blend," a local barbershop quartet. He has performed around the country as a soloist and as a member of the Oklahoma Brass Quintet. As a teacher he focuses a large percentage of instruction on performance technique and performance anxiety so that students can develop a strong sense of self and not fear the stage.
Beyond his reputation as a performer, Wilkinson is also a respected jazz educator and composer. He has participated at various local jazz festivals as a judge and clinician. He has also judged at the National Trumpet Competition in the jazz and middle school divisions in trumpet performance. He spends a great deal of time arranging and composing. He is sought after by local musicians, music educators and other professionals to write various styles of music. As the director of the top jazz band at the University of Oklahoma, Wilkinson continues to perfect his methods of teaching original jazz music without the use of sheet music.
Jay Wilkinson is committed to the pursuit of musical excellence in his own playing and his students'. He stresses to all musicians, of any age, of any ability, regardless of the instrument, the importance of embracing all styles of music. This belief stems from his own success and the success of legendary musicians and teachers whom he has studied. He is a member of the University of Oklahoma Brass Quintet. He is also a member of the Lyric Theater Orchestra, the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, and the Oklahoma City Jazz Orchestra.
http://www.jaywilkinsonmusic.com/
Richard Zielinski
Director of Choral Activities
Chair of Graduate Choral Studies
Office: CMC 127G
Phone: (405) 325-4182
Richard Zielinski serves as Director of Choral Activities and Chair of Graduate Choral Studies at the University of Oklahoma, where he teaches Graduate Choral Conducting, Graduate Score Study and directs the University Chorale, OU Opera Chorus, the Singing Sooners and the OU Choral Union.
Richard Zielinski has conducted orchestras and choruses throughout Europe, Asia, and North America and serves as Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Classical Music Festival in Eisenstadt, Austria. Dr. Zielinski is the founder and director of The Richard Zielinski Singers and conductor of In Terra Paz, an international choral academy in Poland. He serves as the editor of a Polish Music Series with Roger Dean Publishing. Dr. Zielinski will direct the University Chorale, OU Opera Chorus, and co-direct the new Singing Sooners ensemble.
Full bio found on the OU School of Music Website.
Chair of Graduate Choral Studies
Office: CMC 127G
Phone: (405) 325-4182
Richard Zielinski serves as Director of Choral Activities and Chair of Graduate Choral Studies at the University of Oklahoma, where he teaches Graduate Choral Conducting, Graduate Score Study and directs the University Chorale, OU Opera Chorus, the Singing Sooners and the OU Choral Union.
Richard Zielinski has conducted orchestras and choruses throughout Europe, Asia, and North America and serves as Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Classical Music Festival in Eisenstadt, Austria. Dr. Zielinski is the founder and director of The Richard Zielinski Singers and conductor of In Terra Paz, an international choral academy in Poland. He serves as the editor of a Polish Music Series with Roger Dean Publishing. Dr. Zielinski will direct the University Chorale, OU Opera Chorus, and co-direct the new Singing Sooners ensemble.
Full bio found on the OU School of Music Website.
Larry Hammett
Visiting Assistant Professor of Guitar
Office: RPAC 2250
Phone: Please contact via email
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.larryhammett.com
Professor Larry Hammett, director of guitar studies, is a recognized expert in both classical and jazz guitar. He has a master's degree in Guitar Performance and has been teaching guitar at the college level since 1982. At OU, Mr. Hammett heads one of the most successful guitar programs in the country with a full undergraduate and graduate studio and over 150 non-major guitarists each semester.
Full bio found on the OU School of Music Website.
Office: RPAC 2250
Phone: Please contact via email
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.larryhammett.com
Professor Larry Hammett, director of guitar studies, is a recognized expert in both classical and jazz guitar. He has a master's degree in Guitar Performance and has been teaching guitar at the college level since 1982. At OU, Mr. Hammett heads one of the most successful guitar programs in the country with a full undergraduate and graduate studio and over 150 non-major guitarists each semester.
Full bio found on the OU School of Music Website.
Karl Sievers
Professor of Music (Trumpet)
Office: CMC 217
Phone: Please contact via email
Email: [email protected]
Dr. Karl Sievers enjoys a successful and varied performance career, having performed in countless studio sessions, on live television, in jazz ensembles, chamber music of all kinds, solo recitals, and in symphony orchestras. Sievers is an Artist/Clinician for the Vincent Bach Company, is Principal Trumpet with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, and is also the General Manager of the National Trumpet Competition in Washington, DC. His students continue to attain great success in all areas of professional music and music education.
BM-Trumpet, Indiana University
MM-Trumpet, Indiana University
DMA-Trumpet, University of Missouri Conservatory of Music in Kansas City
Full bio found on the OU School of Music Website.
Office: CMC 217
Phone: Please contact via email
Email: [email protected]
Dr. Karl Sievers enjoys a successful and varied performance career, having performed in countless studio sessions, on live television, in jazz ensembles, chamber music of all kinds, solo recitals, and in symphony orchestras. Sievers is an Artist/Clinician for the Vincent Bach Company, is Principal Trumpet with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, and is also the General Manager of the National Trumpet Competition in Washington, DC. His students continue to attain great success in all areas of professional music and music education.
BM-Trumpet, Indiana University
MM-Trumpet, Indiana University
DMA-Trumpet, University of Missouri Conservatory of Music in Kansas City
Full bio found on the OU School of Music Website.
Irvin Wagner
Professor of Music (Trombone)
Office: CMC 138F, 216
Phone: (405) 325-5344
Email: [email protected]
Dr. Irvin Wagner is a founding member of the Oklahoma Brass Quintet, and has been named as a David Ross Boyd Professor. Wagner conducts the popular OU Trombone Choir. He is a member of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and the conductor for many of that orchestra's pops concerts. Wagner's compositions and arrangements are in demand by many major symphony orchestras and trombone choirs.
BS-Music Education and Trombone, McPherson College
MM-Trombone, Eastman School of Music
DMA-Trombone (performance and pedagogy), Eastman School of Music
Full bio found on the OU School of Music Website.
Office: CMC 138F, 216
Phone: (405) 325-5344
Email: [email protected]
Dr. Irvin Wagner is a founding member of the Oklahoma Brass Quintet, and has been named as a David Ross Boyd Professor. Wagner conducts the popular OU Trombone Choir. He is a member of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and the conductor for many of that orchestra's pops concerts. Wagner's compositions and arrangements are in demand by many major symphony orchestras and trombone choirs.
BS-Music Education and Trombone, McPherson College
MM-Trombone, Eastman School of Music
DMA-Trombone (performance and pedagogy), Eastman School of Music
Full bio found on the OU School of Music Website.
