Blaise Ferrandino (b. 1958)

Blaise Ferrandino (b. 1958)

Dr. Blaise J. Ferrandino is an Associate Professor and Division Chair of Music Theory, Composition at Texas Christian University where he has been since 1990. From 2000 - 2002 he served as Interim Director of School of Music. He was elected Chair of the TCU Faculty Senate during the 2004-2005 academic year. Besides his work in Music Theory, Ferrandino is a Composer and Double Bassist. He received his DMA from the Hartt School of Music. Studies in composition were with Edward Diemente, Karel Husa, Earl George, Howard Boatwright and Donald Harris. Ferrandino studied double bass with Gary Karr and David Murray.

Dr. Ferrandino is active in publishing, presentation, and composition/performance. He is lead editor and author of The AP Vertical Teams Guide for Music Theory, released in November of 2002. Numerous workshops and presentations related to this book were given in places such as Houston, Los Angeles at the AP National Convention, Dallas, St. Joseph, MO, San Antonio at TMEA and Ft. Worth. Dr. Ferrandino continues to be active in Music Theory teacher training teaching weeklong courses at TCU, and in Philadelphia, Taos, and Chicago. He has organized and presented at a two-day workshops at the College Board regional AP Music Theory conference for the past ten years.

In 1998 he was named lead teacher of a joint project instituted by the College Board and the O'Donnell foundation. Ten High School teachers in the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex were chosen to institute AP Music Theory programs at their respective schools. The program, originally funded for five years, seeded area schools with professionally trained Music Theory teachers who might better prepare their students for a college career in music. The program has been extended through 2011 and Dr. Ferrandino continues his involvement as Master Teacher.

The CD Crosswinds includes Blaise Ferrandino's work for Tuba/Euphonium ensemble, Pomes. This commissioned work is based upon the poetry of James Joyce and is published by Tuba-Euphonium press. Memoir, a work for choir, orchestra, piano, and orchestra, was inspired by the Scottish folk tune The Baron O' Brackley and the diary of John Playfair. It premiered at the TCU Convocation in September of 2004. Also premiered this past year was Prologues, a commissioned work for Trumpet and Vibraphone and Variations on an Old Friend for piano. New works include a short symphony for cello ensemble and a duet for Double Bass and Bassoon.