Music and Arts Education, Composition, Conducting, Recording, Production

PO. Box 3400 • Santa Cruz, California 95063 • 831-521-3470 • slbigger@rockarbormusic.com

Objectives

• To partner with a team seeking to utilize the arts through education. To join an organization working to enrich the lives and skill of students through learning and practical application.
  
  
• To continue graduate studies to enhance and refine my technical 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.
  
  
• Mentor, encourage, and dream with musicians and artistic individuals of all ages.

Career Overview

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 teach, perform, compose for, or conduct all kinds of music ensembles and projects. As a student, I played a variety of instruments in band and orchestra, participated in state competitions and shows, and performed in any group or choir I could find. I have been active in many community ensembles, most recently Cor Aingli, a Gaelic choir formed by Celtic artist Mary McLaughlin.

I have 20 years of experience in recording and live sound as an engineer, producer, and performer.  I have been privileged to participate in (or lead) choirs, madrigal groups, bands, brass ensembles, orchestras, and a range of theatrical roles from actor to technician to director.  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.

My knowledge of children’s music, theatre, and media would be valuable for any organization utilizing production to mentor, teach, and train students of any age. As  a 3rd generation professional musician I have experienced first-hand (and second) the joys and challenges the arts in the educational system can bring, and yet music will always be my recreation as well as my vocation. To me, the best thing about the performing arts is the interaction between all the participants; the performers, the directors, the technical crew, and the audience!

I utilize the following software programs on a daily basis: FileMaker Pro, Finale Music Typesetting,  ProTools, Digital Performer, InDesign, Quark, Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, DVD Studio Pro, DreamWeaver, ProPresenter, Microsoft Word and a variety of production and media programs for Macintosh and PC.

 Online Information and Demonstrations

Official Web page
www.rockarbormusic.com

Offical Media Examples
www.rockarbormusic.com/media_new.html

Experience

Owner/Operator
RockArbor Music (ASCAP) •  Nashville, TN, Santa Cruz, CA • 1981-Present

• Private lessons and coaching in voice, performance, and recording arts
• Live Performance in a variety of ensembles and venues
• Music Publishing, (print and track licensing)
• Mobile HD Excel ProTools Recording Service
• Live and studio recording, tracking, overdubs, and mixing.
• Digital editing and audio encoding for media, internet, communications.
• Artistic direction/project management for a variety of recordings and artists.
• Music typesetting for educational curriculum, books, and sheet music.
• Original scores for special events and live performances. Clients: TVA, NBC, ABC, Fox, United Way, Success by Six, Galleria Mall Properties, MaryKay Cosmetics, Krystal Corp.

Director of Music and Arts
The Circle Church • Santa Cruz, California • 2007-present • 100 members

Minister of Music and Worship
Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church • Moraga, California • 2003-2007 • 1200+ members

Performance Duties

• Music Director, Conductor, Worship Leader, Program Administrator.
• Compose, orchestrate, and arrange special music, develop various ensembles and special events. Style ranges from Contemporary to Blended to Traditional.
• Produce compact disks of original compositions. 2006 releases of “Lights on the Horizon” and “A Heart for Worship” featuring students, adults, professional musicians, and technical personnel. (4 Cds, various orchestrations, octavos, and lead sheets available on request).
• Provide worship leadership for weekly staff meetings, various retreats, and other church based activities.
• Produce, perform, and conduct multi-media concerts featuring accompaniment by the following ensembles:
  • Young People’s Orchestra of Berkeley
  • MusicSources Baroque Ensemble
  • Sarabande (Renaissance Consort)
  • Other East Bay area professionals and volunteers in band, choir, dance, drama, and video. (2 DVDs available on request).

  Administration Duties

• Oversee full and part-time staff, including Media/Technical Director, Principal Organist, Chancel and Children’s Choir Directors, Praise Band, Music Interns. Direct and coordinate Guest Musicians consisting of a mix of professional, student, and volunteer musicians.
• Oversee 100+ volunteers including High School Intern Program, 2 Vocal Praise Teams, Chancel Choir, 2 Children’s Choirs, Contemporary Choir, Drama and Dance Teams, Senior High and Junior High Worship Bands, Music Library Assistants, and other Support Personnel.
• Plan, format, and produce multi-generational weekly services in conjunction with Senior Pastor. Produce and oversee bulletin for 2 services- 9am Contemporary, 10:45am Blended/Traditional.
• Develop and maintain FileMaker database of all services, search features for songs, service elements.
• Serve on various commissions including Executive Staff, Worship Planning Teams, Special Events Committees, Worship Committee, and Session of Elders.
• Produce, mentor, teach, and develop various individuals within Church community in both group and private sessions. Lead and develop style-specific worship training opportunities and seminars.

Other Professional Experience

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. Develop and conduct Concert Choir, Madrigal Singers, Contemporary Black Gospel Choir.

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. 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.

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 (part time)
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 & orchestral director/band leader.  
•   Computer skills, Midi and digital audio programming, Multimedia.
•   Finale music typesetting, FileMaker Songs and Planning Database development.
•   Theatre background. Taught Summer Theatre Workshops for Kids
•   Organized and detail oriented, positive group dynamic, strong leadership skills.