Episodes

  • Matthew Onstad, Part 2

    Matthew Onstad, Part 2
    Jul 28 2023
    This week on Because… we hear part two of the becauses of Matthew Onstad.A Wisconsin native, Dr. Matthew Onstad serves as Assistant Professor of Trumpet at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he teaches all things trumpet, coaches chamber music, and performs with the Whitewater Brass Quintet. He has held the position of Principal Trumpet with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra since 2022.While earning his DMA and MM degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dr. Onstad served the Mead Witter School of Music as a Project Assistant performing with theWisconsin Brass Quintet, a faculty ensemble-in-residence. He holds the rank of Staff Sergeant in the132nd Wisconsin Army National Guard Band and has performed with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra, Madison Symphony Orchestra, Wisconsin ChamberOrchestra, Orchestra Iowa, Illinois Symphony Orchestra, and the Isthmus Brass. He held the position of Principal Trumpet with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra from 2016-2021.
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    1 hr and 25 mins
  • Matthew Onstad: Performer, Educator

    Matthew Onstad: Performer, Educator
    Jul 21 2023
    Matthew Onstad – Performer/EducatorThis week on Because… we hear part one of the becauses of Matthew Onstad.A Wisconsin native, Dr. Matthew Onstad serves as Assistant Professor of Trumpet at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he teaches all things trumpet, coaches chamber music, and performs with the Whitewater Brass Quintet. He has held the position of Principal Trumpet with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra since 2022.While earning his DMA and MM degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dr. Onstad served the Mead Witter School of Music as a Project Assistant performing with theWisconsin Brass Quintet, a faculty ensemble-in-residence. He holds the rank of Staff Sergeant in the132nd Wisconsin Army National Guard Band and has performed with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra, Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra, Madison Symphony Orchestra, Wisconsin ChamberOrchestra, Orchestra Iowa, Illinois Symphony Orchestra, and the Isthmus Brass. He held the position of Principal Trumpet with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra from 2016-2021.
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    51 mins
  • Nicolas Propes, Part 2

    Nicolas Propes, Part 2
    Jul 14 2023
    On this week’s episode we hear part 2 of the becauses of Nicolas Propes.Nicolas Propes is an experienced and versatile music educator and conductor, having taught and conducted musicians at all levels from elementary school beginners, to junior high, high school, college, community, and professional ensembles. In 2020, Nicolas was honored to have been presented with the American Prize in Conducting, Band/Wind Ensemble Community Band Division for his work with the Big River Brass Band, a British-style brass band consisting of members from the Quad Cities (IA/IL) area. He has recently been named as a finalist for The American Prize in Conducting, Band/Wind Ensemble Non-Collegiate Division in 2023 and is currently awaiting the selection of this season’s winner.Mr. Propes earned his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from the University of Iowa in 2002 and his Master's Degree in Conducting from the American Band College of Sam Houston State University in 2015. He began directing school band programs in 2003 in the Pleasant Valley Community School District and established himself as a qualified and respected teacher. Numerous ensembles under his direction received top ratings at festivals and contests, but more importantly, he inspired countless students to create music through their high school years, many of whom have gone on to be life-long appreciators of music.In 2016, Nicolas joined the staff of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra as Orchestra Librarian. In addition to…
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    30 mins
  • Nicolas Propes, Part 1

    Nicolas Propes, Part 1
    Jul 7 2023
    On this week’s episode we hear part 1 of the becauses of Nicolas Propes.Nicolas Propes is an experienced and versatile music educator and conductor, having taught and conducted musicians at all levels from elementary school beginners, to junior high, high school, college, community, and professional ensembles. In 2020, Nicolas was honored to have been presented with the American Prize in Conducting, Band/Wind Ensemble Community Band Division for his work with the Big River Brass Band, a British-style brass band consisting of members from the Quad Cities (IA/IL) area. He has recently been named as a finalist for The American Prize in Conducting, Band/Wind Ensemble Non-Collegiate Division in 2023 and is currently awaiting the selection of this season’s winner.Mr. Propes earned his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from the University of Iowa in 2002 and his Master's Degree in Conducting from the American Band College of Sam Houston State University in 2015. He began directing school band programs in 2003 in the Pleasant Valley Community School District and established himself as a qualified and respected teacher. Numerous ensembles under his direction received top ratings at festivals and contests, but more importantly, he inspired countless students to create music through their high school years, many of whom have gone on to be life-long appreciators of music.In 2016, Nicolas joined the staff of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra as Orchestra Librarian. In addition to…
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    56 mins
  • Adam Peters Part 2

    Adam Peters Part 2
    Jun 16 2023
    On this weeks Because… we hear part two of the becauses of Adam Peters.Adam has many irons in the fire and is currently the Director of Operations for Clock, Inc, a LGBTQ+ community center non-profit in the Quad Cities. He previously worked on Senate and Presidential campaigns (Franken, Biden, Buttigieg) in California, Iowa, & Pennsylvania. Adam has acted on shows like ABC’s The Goldbergs, FOX’s 9-1-1, and Amazon’s Sneaky Pete. Adam and Alex Hall co-hosted SHOW CHOIR LIVE and occasionally host live stream events for national competitions. In his spare time, Adam enjoys running, playing legos with his nieces Juliet and Emmelyn, and calling Bingo at the Raccoon Motel. Adam is proud of his decade of involvement at Showchoir Camps of America and urges all to join the fun!
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    40 mins
  • Adam Peters

    Adam Peters
    Jun 9 2023
    On this weeks Because… we hear part one of the becauses of Adam Peters.Adam Peters is a freelance show choir clinician, show designer, collaborator, and adjudicator based out of Iowa. For the last fifteen years, Adam has worked in clinic settings with numerous award winning show choirs and adjudicated competitions across the country. Adam is extremely proud of his years as co-director of show choirs at Muscatine H.S. where he created innovative award winning story/concept shows. In 2014, Adam was honored to receive the “Spirit of Service” ASPIRE award at the FAME National Championships in Chicago, IL.
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    43 mins
  • Matthew Jackfert, Part 2

    Matthew Jackfert, Part 2
    Jun 2 2023
    On this weeks Because, we hear part I of the becauses of composer Matthew Jackfert. Matthew is a native of Charleston, WV. He completed his undergraduate Composition degree at West Virginia University as well as his undergraduate Chinese degree. He also finished a Master’s in Composition at the University of Texas in Austin. Jackfert currently works in Charleston, WV as a composer and radio host with West Virginia Public Broadcasting, and he serves as adjunct Professor of Composition at Marshall University. In addition to his freelance composition work, he performs, writes, and arranges for the Appalachian-rock group,The Company Stores. Some of his TV work includes scoring shorts for HBO’s Sesame Street and more. His concert music has been performed by several top ensembles including the National Symphony Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra among others.
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    23 mins
  • Matthew Jackfert, Composer

    Matthew Jackfert, Composer
    May 26 2023
    On this week's Because, we hear part I of the becauses of composer Matthew Jackfert. Matthew is a native of Charleston, WV. He completed his undergraduate Composition degree at West Virginia University as well as his undergraduate Chinese degree. He also finished a Master’s in Composition at the University of Texas in Austin. Jackfert currently works in Charleston, WV as a composer and radio host with West Virginia Public Broadcasting, and he serves as adjunct Professor of Composition at Marshall University. In addition to his freelance composition work, he performs, writes, and arranges for the Appalachian-rock group,The Company Stores. Some of his TV work includes scoring shorts for HBO’s Sesame Street and more. His concert music has been performed by several top ensembles including the National Symphony Orchestra, the Cleveland Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra among others.
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    23 mins