Jeff Nelsen of Canadian Brass Visits Spring Training

Written By Mike Scott

THE WORLD RENOWNED HORN PERFORMER AND LECTURER VISITED WITH THE BLUECOATS & STUDENTS OF THE BLUE WAY

Jeff Nelsen toured and recorded with the Canadian Brass for eight years, and has performed with more than a dozen orchestras including the New York and Los Angeles Philharmonics.

Jeff Nelsen toured and recorded with the Canadian Brass for eight years, and has performed with more than a dozen orchestras including the New York and Los Angeles Philharmonics.

The monotony of Spring Training was broken this weekend - the Bluecoats had visitors, lots of them. THE BLUE WAY Interactive Educational Experience brought 100 high school students to Indiana Wesleyan University to rehearse and perform alongside the 2019 Bluecoats, and Drum Corps International brought members of its executive team, board of directors, the Marching Music Health & Wellness Project, and DCI media team to host the second-annual DCI Community Forum. As if that wasn’t enough, the world-renowned hornist, TED speaker, and self-taught magician Jeff Nelsen visited Spring Training for a day of lectures, rehearsals, and a bit of magic.

Jeff Nelsen has been a performer in the Canadian Brass for more than eight years, and has a staggering resume of experience performing in the horn sections of dozens of orchestras including the New York and Los Angeles Philharmonics, and the Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Montreal, and St. Louis Symphonies. In 2011 at Indiana University, Jeff gave a celebrated TEDx Talk about fearless performance and has since given Fearless Performance lectures to fellow TED presenters, teachers, athletes, and business people around the world. Professor Nelsen gave one such talk to the 2019 Bluecoats and students of THE BLUE WAY this weekend at the beautiful Phillippe Auditorium at Indiana Wesleyan University.

Jeff works with horn players and staff on selections from the 2019 Bluecoats production. ;)

Jeff works with horn players and staff on selections from the 2019 Bluecoats production. ;)

Professor Nelsen speaks to the 2019 Bluecoats and staff as well as students of THE BLUE WAY Interactive Educational Experience.

Professor Nelsen speaks to the 2019 Bluecoats and staff as well as students of THE BLUE WAY Interactive Educational Experience.

In addition to his lecture, Jeff spent the afternoon with the Bluecoats hornline rehearsing with them during sectionals and incorporating elements of his pedagogy into rehearsal. Mr. Nelsen is a professor of horn at the distinguished Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. Four lucky brass students spent time with Jeff in a private lesson on french horn working on horn repertoire featured in the Bluecoats 2019 production.

“We’re so lucky to have had Jeff here with us this weekend. Jeff is a killer player and fantastic educator,” said Doug Thrower, fellow Canadian and Bluecoats Composer and Brass Designer. “I’m so grateful that he was able to make the journey to us in his busy schedule.”

For more information about Jeff Nelsen and his Fearless Performance workshops visit jeffnelsen.com. You can watch Bluecoats premiere next week live in person at Ford Field in Detroit or in theaters around the country. The corps will also be performing close to home at Innovations In Brass: North Canton on Saturday, June 22nd - tickets available here.

Members of the 2019 Bluecoats and students of THE BLUE WAY Interactive Educational Experience jump to their feet following the exciting finale of Jeff Nelsen’s Fearless Performance lecture.

Members of the 2019 Bluecoats and students of THE BLUE WAY Interactive Educational Experience jump to their feet following the exciting finale of Jeff Nelsen’s Fearless Performance lecture.

Mike Scott
Mike Scott is a clinician, consultant, and the CEO of Rhythm X, Inc., a non-profit music education company in Dayton, Ohio. Mike earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 2012. There he studied percussion and conducting and completed the Farmer School of Business Summer Institute. Before beginning his career as an administrator and teacher, Mike was an active performer in the marching arts. In 2011 Mike was the conductor of the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps of Canton, Ohio and was a performer in Rhythm X’s percussion ensemble from 2011-2012. Mike was also a member of the Miami University Marching Band for four years, serving as the drum major during the 2011 and 2012 seasons. In 2013 Mike began work at Rhythm X, Inc. as the Operations Director, managing the business development and logistics of the organization. He was also the Director of Instrumental Music at St. Ursula Academy in Toledo, Ohio. There he taught band, orchestra, and general music in grades 6-12. Prior to the 2015 competitive season, Mike became the first full-time employee at Rhythm X, Inc. as the company’s CEO. There he works with the organization’s President Tim Fairbanks to develop the future strategy of the company. During the summer months, Mike travels the country with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps as the group’s Tour Administrator. He has also served as the tour manager of The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps of Allentown, Pennsylvania. Mike proudly endorses Innovative Percussion, Etymotic Research, and Fred J. Miller Inc.
http://mikewscott.com
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