New York,
New
York, USA - He was
smitten by the steelpan instrument at
the very early age
of eight when he first encountered this Caribbean beauty
called
Pan
in The
Bahamas.
And
similar
to
countless
others,
whose
hearts
have
been
pierced
by the
intoxicating
sound
delivered
by the
Percussion Gods
through
this
instrument
- for
world-renowned
percussionist
Jonathan
Haas it was
and is, a
lifetime
love
affair.
Beyond
the love
of the
instrument,
Haas
understands
and
identifies
the
universal
theoretical
music
concepts,
cultural
benefits
and
educational
advantages
afforded
students,
by
teaching
music
principles
through
an
association
with
the Steelpan
music
instrument.
He also
recognizes
the
aptitude
of
adapting
the
“Classics”
and
other
perhaps
not-as-familiar
works
of
music to
steelpan,
such as
that of
minimalist
composer
Philip
Glass.
In
adding
the
steeldrum
component
to the
percussion
major,
the
program
director
seized
on the
opportunity
to
develop
within
his
students,
a
sincere
and
profound
appreciation
of other
cultures
and
communities.
Haas
explained
“....I
thought
that one
of the
most
important
elements
of what
we were
going to
teach is
for our
students
to get
involved
in the
community,
in the
world,
and what
better
way than
with
steeldrums.
We’re
the
first
major
University
[NYU -
New York
University]
on the
eastern
seaboard
to begin
a
program
like
this...”
Mack Scott,
president of Sonatas Steel Orchestra
with
Dr.
Jonathan
Haas
Jonathan
Haas is
one of
the
world’s
foremost
and
respected
percussionists
and
educators.
His
accomplishments
and
global
acknowledgements
are far
too
numerous
to name
here.
But the
single
triumph
that
will
distinguish
him from
all
others
will be as the
program director,
his
introduction
of the
steelpan
instrument
into the
NYU
percussion
program
in a
manner
that is
ground
breaking
and
revolutionary.
As part
of the
requirements
of the NYU
percussion
program
-
mastering
not one,
but
several
instruments
of the
steelpan
family (in
addition
to their
normal
instrument
of
choice)
is not
an
option
for
matriculating
students.
It is
mandatory.
This
singular
directive
has set
apart
NYU’s
program
from all
others
in the
United
States.
In
addition,
Mr.
Haas’
bold,
unapologetic
and
visionary
farsightedness
has
already
resulted
in huge
dividends.
Award-winning
producer,
songwriter
and
musician
extraordinaire Philip
Glass
has
enthusiastically
sanctioned
the soon-the- to-be-released
NYU
STEEL CD
of
Phillip
Glass’
Piano
Etudes,
arranged
by
NYU
Steel’s
music
director Joshua Quillen.
The CD
is
scheduled
for
release
on the
Orange
Mountain
Music
label in
May
2011.
More
on
Jonathan
Haas
NYU
STEEL
on
stage
at
the
Frederick
Loewe
Theatre
(image
captured
with
the
expressed
permission
of
NYU
Steinhardt,
Program
in
Percussion
Studies)
An inspiring teacher, Haas is director of New York University’s Department of Music and Performing Arts Professions’ Percussion Studies Department, chair of the Juilliard Pre-College Percussion Department and a faculty artist at the Aspen Music Festival and School, where he has taught for the last 22 years. Haas is the conductor and artistic director of the percussion ensemble programs at all three institutions and is the creator of one of the most innovative percussion intensives, hosting an NYU Broadway Percussion Seminar/Summit each year in June. At NYU he introduced a first-of-its-kind program that includes in-depth theatrical percussion studies, the first modern-day Timpani Guild and an innovative classical percussion program. He also established the first steel drum ensemble program at a major university/conservatory on the Eastern seaboard. Haas was director of the Peabody Conservatory Percussion Department for 26 years, bringing it into international prominence. He has presented master classes worldwide at the Toho Gauken, Hanoi Conservatory, Paris Conservatory, the Graz Percussion School, the Melbourne Conservatory, the Sydney Conservatory, Conservatory of Latvia, Zagreb Conservatory and many others. Haas is frequently featured as a soloist and clinician at Percussive Arts Society International Conventions and writes extensively for educational journals including The Instrumentalist and Percussive Notes, the official journal of the Percussive Arts Society.
Contact
NYU
Steel:
Jonathan Haas, Director -
New York University, 35 West 4th
Street, New York, NY. 10012
Phone: 1 (212) 992-9466 Email:
jonathan.haas@nyu.edu
