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
- 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