Stephen L. Bigger
Music and Arts Education, Composition, Conducting, Recording
P.O. Box 3400
Santa Cruz, California 95063
831.521.3470
slbigger@rockarbormusic.com
Objectives
· To assist organizations and individuals who seek to utilize music and the arts through performance, education, and practical application.
· To thrive in a creative atmosphere of artistic expression.
· To continue enhancing and refining my practical and creative skills in order to teach, experiment, compose, conduct, and produce inspiring musical contributions in a broad range of styles and orchestration utilizing instrumental, vocal, and non-traditional sound techniques.
· To mentor, encourage, and dream with musicians and artistic individuals of all ages.
Career Overview
As a 3rd generation professional musician I have experienced first-hand (and second) the challenges music in church and school can bring. My father was a full-time pipe organist and choir director, and our family traveled providing music for a wide variety of events. With many years of active participation in the music industry, including the commercial market as well as organizational programs, my background has offered opportunities to perform, compose for, and/or conduct all kinds of music ensembles and projects. I have been honored to participate in (or lead) Choirs, Madrigals, Bands, Brass Ensembles, Orchestras, and a range of theatrical roles from actor to teacher. I have composed many pieces of music since 1972, recorded more than 10 collections of original material, and produced over 20 recordings for other artists and performers. When other musicians around me have struggled with the decision to do music or choose some other line of work, I have literally found I have no choice in the matter. It seems I am destined to always serve in the arts in some capacity. This is my calling, my offering, my recreation, my heart’s desire!
Experience
Choral Director & Creative Director
Santa Cruz Community World Choir & Orchestra • Santa Cruz, CA • 2007-Present
· Multi-generational, multi-cultural vocal and instrumental ensembles
· performing classic and modern choral literature from around the globe.
Choral Director Aptos High School World Concert Choir
Aptos High School • Santa Cruz, CA • 2009-Present
Theater Technical Director
Aptos High School Performing Arts Center • Santa Cruz, CA • 2009-Present
Director of Music and Worship
Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church • Moraga, California • 2003-2007 • 1200+ members
· Music Director, Conductor, Composer,
· Worship Leader, Program Administrator.
Owner/President
RockArbor Music (ASCAP) • Nashville, TN • 1981-Present
· Music Publishing, (print and track licensing)
· Mobile HD Excel ProTools Recording Service
o Live and studio recording, tracking, overdubs, and mixing.
o Digital editing and audio encoding for media, internet, communications.
· Music production
o Artistic direction/project management for a variety of recordings and artists.
o Bed music, underscoring, jingles, accompaniments.
o Music typesetting for educational programs, books and sheet music.
· Original scores for special events and live performances. Clients include: TVA, NBC, ABC, and Fox affiliates, Galleria Mall Properties, MaryKay Cosmetics, Krystal Corp. (Full list of clients available on request)
Other Professional Experience
Staff Music Producer
Digital Associates • Nashville, Tennessee • 1994-2002
Production, orchestration, and composition of children’s music. Produce 300 songs per year.
Vocals, narration, and voiceovers. (Digital Performer, Finale Music typesetting)
Director of Music
All Saints Episcopal Church • Smyrna Tennessee • 2000-2003 • 150+ members
Choir director and musical accompanist for all services. Compose and arrange special music, develop various ensembles and special events. Style: Gregorian Chant, traditional hymn and choral repertoire, contemporary. (Studio Vision Pro)
Teacher of Choral Arts
Chattanooga School For Arts and Sciences • Chattanooga, Tennessee • 1993-1994
Full time music instruction of grades 6-12. Developed music curriculum for a cross-cultural application using both traditional and modern music, technology and recording techniques. Yearly projects included student creation of professionally produced Public Service Announcements for local and regional airplay. Develop and conduct Concert Choir, Madrigal Singers, Contemporary Black Gospel Choir, and Intermediate Chorus.
Director of Music
New City Fellowship • Chattanooga, Tennessee • 1990-1993 • 700+ members
Mass choir and ensembles, oversee band and orchestra. Direct and compose for Urban/Contemporary Black Gospel services and programs.
Sideman/Frontman
Sherman Williams Band, other club acts • United States and Guam • 1981-2003
Vocals, Keyboards, Guitar, and mandolin. Music for concerts, parties, events.
Education
• Covenant College, BA in Music (Cum Laude 1988)
• Wheaton College Conservatory of Music (1975-1976)
• Cshey Summer School of Music (1968-1974)
• Atlanta Film Association (Fall 1988)
• Gregorian Chant Retreat with Dr. William Tortelano (Summer 2002)
• Various Worship and Choral Seminars/workshops (2003-2007)
Relevant Skills
• Vocalist , piano/keyboard/guitar, choral director/band leader.
• Computer skills, Midi and digital audio programming, Multimedia.
• Finale music typesetting, FileMaker Songs and Planning Database development.
• Theatre background.
• Organized and detail oriented, positive group dynamic, strong leadership skills.
References
Mark Wright, Bassist, San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
Moraga, CA. 925-360-2169. Email: mlwright4@comcast.com
David Ridge, Principal Bass Trombone, San Francisco Opera Symphony
Moraga, CA. 925-408-4428. Email: dpridge@hotmail.com
Kurt Ribak, Arco and Electric Bass, Kurt Ribak Trio
Berkeley, CA. 510-703-7035. Email: kurt@ribak.com
Sarah Gillies, Violinist, Concertmaster, Performer
San Francisco, CA. 415-948-8921. Email: gillies@hotmail.com
Mike Jones, Guitarist, Pastor, Hope Church
Tampa, FL. 813-920-5299. Email: mike@hope4tampa.com
Evelyn Hermsmeier, Personnel, Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church
Moraga, CA. 925-528-9013. Email: ev@silcon.com
Significant Musical Influences
1. Mentors and Teachers
a. Dr. Ellen Thomson. Professor of Theory/Composition, Author. Wheaton College Conservatory of Music, Cshey Summer School of Music, Private Study
b. Wilmos Cshey. Concert Violinist, Educator. Cshey Summer School of Music
c. Karen Erickson Birkhan. Teacher, Theatre Director, Actor, Private Study
d. E. Lauren Bigger. Teacher of Keyboard/Composition, Organist, Choir Director
e. Ira David Halvorsen, Teacher of Keyboard, Professor, Music Theory, Composition, Improvisation, Philosophy, Covenant College, Private Study
f. Dr, William Tortelano. Professor, Curator, Conductor, Gregorian Chant
g. Dr. Laurette Goldberg. Professor, Author. Curator/Director of Baroque and Early Music Museum, University of California at Berkeley California
2. Early Music
a. Gregorian Chant/Palestrina
b. Claudio Monteverdi
c. Juan Gutierrez De Padilla: Los coflades de la estleya
3. Common Practice
a. G. F. Handel: Messiah
b. Johannes Brahms
c. Claude Debussy
4. 20th and 21st Century
a. Gustav Mahler: 9th Symphony
b. Lauridsen: Lux Aeterna
c. P.D.Q. Bach
d. John Rutter
5. World Music
a. Cross-Global
i. Brooklyn Funk Essentials
ii. Peter Gabriel
iii. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
b. Celtic
i. Clannad/Moya Brennan
ii. Lorenna McKennitt
c. Latin American Baroque, New World Symphonies
d. African
i. Yussour N’Dour
ii. Ladysmith Black Mambazo
e. Native American, Chant and other spiritual meditation
6. Modern and Popular Music
a. Yes: Tales from Topographic Oceans
b. Gentle Giant: Free Hand
c. Jackson Browne
d. Bruce Cockburn
7. Gospel and Urban
a. Quincy Jones: Messiah
b. Milton Brunson and the Mississippi Mass Choir
c. Ricky Grundy Choir
July 15th, 2007
To Whom It May Concern:
I have known Stephen Bigger since early 2004. During that time I served as a bassist in instrumental and choral ensembles directed by him. I have worked with him on Sunday church services on a weekly basis. In addition, I played on a CD release of Stephen’s original compositions as well as played for many special performances.
I am very impressed with Stephen’s compositional abilities, and I also find him to be a fine choral and instrumental ensemble director. His conducting is solid, with excellent musicianship. He has a deep knowledge of a wide variety of musical styles, and a clear conducting style.
Perhaps equally important is that he knows how to motivate and unify a musical ensemble. Stephen developed a real enthusiasm among the choir members. He produced a number of special programs, including two recordings using the choir and some complex special Christmas services with 45 - piece orchestra and 50 - voice chorus. Choir members who originally left the choir due to the change of directors enthusiastically rejoined the chorus to work with Stephen.
Stephen Bigger also has a strong sense of where he is performing. He is always focused on appropriate application of his skill, yet not as a vehicle to draw attention to himself. His professionalism is always outstanding.
I feel Stephen is exceptionally qualified as a composer and conductor, and I have had the opportunity to work with a number of fine choral conductors, as wide-ranging as Seiji Ozawa and the early music specialists Alan Curtis and Davitt Moroney.
Please feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss Mr. Bigger’s qualifications further.
Regards,
Kurt Ribak
Diploma, Performance, Bass – Summa Cum Laude, Berklee College of Music.