Brass Studies

The Brass Program at The University of Montana is a premier comprehensive program where players learn excellence through private instruction and outstanding performance opportunities. Students have the opportunity to perform in several outstanding ensembles including: the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, University Concert Band, Grizzly Marching Band, Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, three Jazz Bands, several Jazz Combos, Missoula Symphony Orchestra, and chamber groups including the Celebration Brass Quintet. Each year the UM Brass Department hosts nationally and internationally renowned clinicians and performers from around the world.

Zachary Cooper

Associate Professor of Horn and Music Theory

Contact

Office
MUSIC 213
Phone
406-243-6468
Fax
406-243-2441
Email
zachary.cooper@umontana.edu
Office Hours

Please e-mail for an appointment.

Website
http://www.zcooperhorn.com

Personal Summary

Dr. Zachary A. Cooper is Associate Professor of Horn and Music Theory at the University of Montana.  His private students have achieved full scholarships to study music at universities across the United States and his university students have successfully gained employment as educators and performers. Cooper frequently presents masterclasses and recitals at many schools, universities, and conservatories and is a strong proponent of educational outreach.  He currently serves as the International Horn Society US Area Representative for Montana and the Secretary of the Northwest Horn Society.

Cooper is Principal Horn of the Missoula Symphony Orchestra and Associate Principal Horn of the Helena Symphony.  From an early age, he has been an active orchestral musician, having performed with the Orlando Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestra (UK) as a teenager.  At age 19, he won his first audition, a position as second horn of the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra.  Additionally, he has performed with the Billings Symphony, Blue Ash Montgomery Symphony, Cave Run Symphony, Dayton Philharmonic, Glacier Symphony, Great Falls Symphony, Helena Symphony, Huntington Symphony, Lexington Philharmonic, Lima (OH) Symphony, Memphis Symphony, Ohio Valley Symphony, Owensboro Symphony, Richmond (IN) Symphony, West Virginia Symphony, and Orquesta Sinfónica de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo Leon in Monterrey, Mexico. Cooper has also performed live with Mannheim Steamroller and Blood, Sweat, and Tears.

An avid chamber musician, Cooper is a founding member of several chamber groups, including the TradesMann Trio, Artisan Brass, Cooper Duo and Entropy.  In addition to commissioning several new chamber works, he has presented lectures, performances, and given world premieres at the International Horn Symposium, International Women's Brass Conference, National Flute Association Convention, and Northwest Horn Symposium.  His latest collaboration, Entropy, is a horn and trombone duo with trombonist Nathan Dishman from Iowa State University.

He earned a DMA in Horn with a cognate in Music Theory from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), an MM in Horn from CCM, and a BM in Horn Performance from Florida State University.  Cooper's principal teachers have included Dr. William Capps (FSU), Duane Dugger (Cincinnati Symphony/CCM), Randy Gardner (Philadelphia Orchestra/CCM), and William C. Robinson, founder of the International Horn Society.

Education

Doctor of Musical Arts in Horn (Cognate in Music Theory) - 2013

University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Cincinnati, OH

Master of Music in Horn - 2008

University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Cincinnati, OH

Bachelor of Music in Music Performance - 2005

Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL

Courses Taught

MUSI 554/555   Analytical Techniques

MUSI 102, 195-495, 551   Applied Horn

MUSI 418   Adv Special Topics in Music Theory:  Intro to Post-Tonal Theory

MUSI 412   Brass Pedagogy

MUSI 105/106, 205/206   Music Theory I, II, III, and IV

MUSI 140/141, 240/241   Aural Perception I, II, III, and IV

MUSI 162/362   Horn Club

Faculty Advisor for the Celebration Brass Quintet

Teaching Experience

Associate Professor of Horn and Music Theory (Present - 2015) 

  • University of Montana, Missoula, MT

Lecturer of Music Theory (2015 - 2014)

  • Morehead State University, Morehead, KY 

Early College Faculty Mentor (2015 - 2013)

  • Morehead State University, Morehead, KY 

Lecturer of Horn (2014, 2011 - 2010)

  • Morehead State University, Morehead, KY 

Private Horn Instructor (Present - 2000)

 

Research Interests

Life and Career of William C. Robinson

Music for Low Brass Trio (Horn, Trombone, Tuba)

New Commissions for Horn

Affiliations

Secretary, Northwest Horn Society

http://www.nwhornsociety.org/

Montana Area Representative, International Horn Society

https://hornsociety.org/

Professional Experience

ORCHESTRAL EXPERIENCE

Billings Symphony Orchestra, Billings, MT

Blue Ash Montgomery Symphony Orchestra, Blue Ash, OH

Cave Run Symphony Orchestra, Morehead, KY

Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Dayton, OH

Glacier Symphony Orchestra, Kalispell, MT

Great Falls Symphony Orchestra, Great Falls, MT

Helena Symphony Orchestra, Helena, MT

Huntington Symphony Orchestra, Huntington, WV

Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, Covington, KY

Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra, Lexington, KY

Lima Symphony Orchestra, Lima, OH

Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Memphis, TN

Missoula Symphony Orchestra, Missoula, MT

Ohio Valley Symphony Orchestra, Gallipolis, OH

Orquesta Sinfónica UANL, Monterrey, Mexico

Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, Owensboro, KY

Richmond Symphony Orchestra, Richmond, IN

Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, Tallahassee, FL

West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Charleston, WV