Brass Area Coordinator, Professor
D.M.A., University of Cincinnati
M.M., Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University
B.M., Cleveland Institute of Music
Certificate of Advanced Studies from the University of Southern California
Contact Information
Office: Foster 222
Mailing Address: Foster 101
Email: nathan.siler@eku.edu
Phone: 859-622-1429
Expert Areas: Trombone Studies; Brass Choir; Trombone/Wind Conducting
Bio
Nathan Siler currently serves as Associate Professor of Trombone at Eastern Kentucky University, where he directs the EKU Trombone Society, the EKU Brass Choir and coaches chamber music. He previously served on the faculty of Bellarmine University.
He has been a member of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, served as principal trombonist of the Orquestra de la SEC in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico. He has performed as guest principal trombonist with the San Diego Symphony, Tucson Symphony, and Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. Other performance credits include the Cleveland Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, North Carolina Symphony, Tucson Symphony, Dayton Philharmonic, Orchestra Nova (San Diego), Evansville Philharmonic and the Aspen Festival Orchestra. He has also performed with Nico Muhly, Sufjan Stevens, Bryce Dessner, Wayne Shorter, Brad Mehldau and the American Brass Quintet, as well as Randy Newman and Jerry Goldsmith in Hollywood, among many others.
As a soloist, Dr. Siler has performed recitals at the International Trombone Festival, American Trombone Workshop, Eastern Trombone Workshop, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Belmont Abbey College, Arkansas State University, Missouri State University, Middle Tennessee State University, Campbellsville University and the Kentucky Music Educators Association Conference. He has also conducted trombone choir programs at the Gabrieli Festival at Cedarville University, the Kentucky Music Educators Association Conference, the Ohio Music Educators Association Conference, the Eastern Trombone Workshop, American Trombone Workshop and International Trombone Festival.
He is also the founding member of the Elysian Trombone Consort, Formed in 2009, this trombone quartet continues with its passion for trombone chamber music. The consort has performed recitals at the University of Louisville New Music Festival, Bellarmine University, the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), University of Southern California, Mesa College (San Diego), the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, Elizabethtown State Theatre (KY) and the historic Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church in Baltimore. They have also performed featured recitals at the 2016 American Trombone Workshop, multiple International Trombone Festivals (2019, 2018, 2013), and the 2012 College Music Society National Convention in San Diego.
Committed to the continued development of new repertoire for trombone ensemble, the Elysian Trombone Consort has premiered 24 new works to date. The group has also premiered John Crouch’s Concerto for Four Trombones and Wind Ensemble with the Peabody Wind Ensemble in Baltimore and performed this concerto with the CCM Wind Ensemble. Upon hearing a recording of their performance of his Trombone Quartet, composer Walter Ross exclaimed, “WOW! What a super performance! I have never heard that piece done so well, with such energy, precision and spirit!”
He holds the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music, two masters degrees (trombone/wind conducting) from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, a Bachelor of Music degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Certificate of Advanced Studies from the University of Southern California. He has also studied at the Aspen Music Festival, Music Academy of the West, International Festival-Institute at Round Top, Philadelphia Institute for Brass Studies at Temple University and Brevard Music Center. His teachers include James DeSano, Thomas Klaber, Terry Cravens, James Olin, and Tim Anderson. He has also been heavily influenced by Steve Witser, Michael Powell, and Per Brevig.