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Western
Illinois University College of Fine Arts and Communication |
Kevin
Nichols
Kevin A. Nichols, Assistant Professor of Percussion at Western Illinois University, teaches applied percussion and percussion methods course, coaches jazz combos, and is the Drumline Instructor/Arranger for the Marching Leathernecks. Outside of WIU, he is active as a performer, director, clinician and adjudicator throughout the Midwest.
Mr. Nichols’ performance accomplishments currently include membership in the Peoria Symphony Orchestra and participation in the University of Iowa Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, Knox-Galesburg Symphony, and Galesburg Symphony Chorus. Active on the drum set, he has entertained audiences as part of various Jazz, Rock, and Latin groups throughout Illinois. In particular, he enjoys performing music of the Caribbean with the Trinidad Tripoli Steel band and Steel Express. His WIU performances include solo recitals, the Faculty Chamber Series, and Summer Music Theatre; he is a founding member of the Hopper Jazztet.
Mr. Nichols has been a presenter for the WIU Jazz Festival, I.M.E.A. All-State conference, I.C.M.E.A. events, various schools and music retailers. As a director he is the former Director of the Central Illinois Youth Percussion Ensemble in Peoria, and has led Concert and Marching Percussion Ensembles throughout the state of Illinois. During the summer months, he is a Percussion Instructor for the WIU Summer Music Camps. In 2005, Mr. Nichols was an adjudicator for the Percussive Arts Society (PAS) International High School Percussion Ensemble competition. Additionally, he has adjudicated events for University of Missouri, Illinois High School Association and the Illinois Music Educators Association’s All-State Convention.
Mr. Nichols is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Iowa. In addition, he holds two Master of Music degrees from Northwestern University, in Jazz Pedagogy and Percussion Performance, as well as a Bachelor of Music degree in Percussion Performance from Illinois Wesleyan University. His teachers include Dan Moore, Jim Dreier, Al Payson, Terry Applebaum and Robert Bankert.
Mr. Nichols is a member of the PAS Drumset Committee and a former officer for the Illinois Chapter of PAS. He is a member of I.A.J.E., M.E.N.C., and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Mr. Nichols is an Educational Artist/Endorser for the Avedis Zildjian Cymbal Company.
Office Location: 102 Sallee Hall
Office Phone: 309/298-1235
Email: KA-Nichols1@wiu.edu
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[ Music ] [ College of Fine Arts and Communication ] [ Western Illinois University ] School of Music | 1 University Circle | Macomb, IL 61455 Last updated: August 26, 2007 |