Ph.D, Music Composition, University of Utah
MM, Composition & Theory, Texas Christian University
BM, Music Composition, Texas Christian University
Advanced Theory
Advanced Ear Training
Music composition, music theory (popular music analysis)
Nathan Wilks is a composer, pianist, guitarist, and music educator. He earned his Ph.D from the University of Utah where he studied with Morris Rosenzweig and Steve Roens, and MM and BM from Texas Christian University where he studied with Blaise Ferrandino. Prior to teaching at TCU, he taught theory, composition, and form at A&M University–Commerce and theory and ear training at the University of Utah.
His works reflect a diverse musical background that has been central to the development of an eclectic yet focused style. His music is often described as intensely personal, but with an ability to connect with audiences in a way seldom seen in contemporary music. One piece that embodies this eclecticism, Vague Recollections, was recently commissioned for a concert honoring Samuel Adler where it was lauded by the audience, including Dr. Adler himself. In addition to composing concert pieces, his other musical pursuits include songwriting, film scoring, and music production.
Website: http://www.nathanwilks.com
Recent research
Verse Chorus Verse: An Analysis of Repetition in Popular Music (2016)
Pitch Centricity in Stravinsky’s Movements (2014)
A Critique of Popular Music Analysis (2012)
Recent compositions
The Anima (2018)
voice, piano, strings, drums, percussion
Esperanza (2017)
Piano, strings
Whatever Happens… (2017)
voice, piano
Vague Recollections (2016)
violin, piano
Sing (2016)
voice, piano, cello, drums, percussion
Disco Lung (2014)
flute, bass clarinet, piano
String Quartet No.2 (2014)
string quartet
Chimera No.1 (2013)
violin, cello, piano
Sea of Oceans (2013)
voice, piano, cello, drums
Society for Music Theory
American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP)
