Printable PDF of Nicolas Propes’ Curriculum Vitae

Experience

North Scott (IA) Community School District

Band Director, August 2021 - Present

In August 2021, Nicolas became the 7th grade Band Director at North Scott Junior High School in Eldridge, Iowa. Students in the North Scott District start band in 7th grade. At North Scott Junior High, Nicolas directs the 7th grade band as well as teaching individual and small group lessons to 7th and 8th grade students. In addition to their regular instruction from the band staff, Mr. Propes uses his connections with professional musicians to ensure students are hearing and learning from musicians of the highest caliber by bringing a variety of guest artists to the classroom.

Pleasant Valley (IA) Community School District

Band Director, August 2020 - June 2021

During the 2020-21 school year, Nicolas returned at the request of the PVCSD to assist with the band program during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. During this time, Mr. Propes worked with the band department staff to help facilitate 7th grade band rehearsals, Junior High band lessons, and beginning band recruiting, lessons, and rehearsals at the elementary school level.

Big River Brass Band

Conductor, 2016 - Present

Nicolas has served as the conductor of the Big River Brass Band since the summer of 2016. Founded in 2002, the Big River Brass Band is an adult community ensemble made up of 40+ amateur musicians from the greater Quad Cities (Iowa/Illinois) area. The Big River Brass Band rehearses twice per month starting in March in preparation for a summer concert schedule of 5-6 concerts in area parks, bandshells, and public locations. They also perform an annual Holiday Concert in December which draws hundreds of audience members. The Big River Brass Band embraces brass band and summer park band traditions by playing a wide variety of musical styles including marches, jazz, classical, and contemporary literature. Nicolas was named the winner of the American Prize in Conducting - Community Band Division in 2019/20 for his work with the Big River Brass Band.

Quad City Symphony Orchestra

Digital Media Assistant, July 2018 - August 2020

As Digital Media Assistant, Nicolas created and managed digital assets for the Quad City Symphony Orchestra including photography, videography, audio recordings, and social media accounts, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. In this role, Nicolas was an integral part of the creative and marketing departments of the QCSO.

St. Ambrose University

Adjunct Professor - Instrumental Methods and Materials for the Vocal Education Major, Fall Semester 2019

As an Adjunct Professor during the 2019 Fall Semester, Mr. Propes provided information and practice regarding lesson and unit planning, application of theory, and pedagogy in teaching instrumental music in the public schools grades 5-12.

Adjunct Professor - Brass Techniques, Spring Semester 2019

As an Adjunct Professor during the 2019 Spring Semester, Mr. Propes instructed Instrumental Education majors in performance, pedagogy, methods, materials, and teaching techniques of the instruments in the brass family.

Quad City Symphony Orchestra

Orchestra Librarian, July 2016 - July 2018

As Orchestra Librarian, Mr. Propes oversaw the purchase, distribution, and filing of sheet music, scores, and musical recordings for the director, musicians, and staff of the Quad City SymphonyOrchestra. He coordinated with the Music Director, Concertmaster, Principal Chairs, and Copyist to ensure all aspects of the printed music are ready for performances. He also worked closely with the recording engineer to archive all recordings of the Quad City Symphony Ensembles.

Pleasant Valley (IA) Community School District

Assistant High School Band Director, August 2003 - June 2016

As Assistant Band Director, Mr. Propes' responsibilities included directing the Wind Ensemble, JazzBand Two, Trombone Choir, Tuba/Euphonium Choir, Saxophone Choir, teaching Low Brass and Saxophone lessons, and co-directing the Spartan Marching Band and Spartan Pep Bands. Mr.Propes was also responsible for all online materials including the band website, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube accounts and designing program covers and recruiting videos, posters, and brochures. While at Pleasant Valley, the high school band program grew from 192 students to over 300 students; going from two to four concert ensembles. District wide, the band program grew from 461 students to 800+ students.

Central City (IA) Community School District

5-12 Band Director, January - June 2003

Nicolas served as a long term substitute teacher during the second semester for the Central City Band Program where he taught all students from beginners through high school. During his brief time there, Mr. Propes was proud to be able to begin turning around a program that had been through tough times.

Education

Sam Houston State University

Master’s Degree - Conducting, 2013 - 2015

During his studies at the American Band College of Sam Houston State University, Nicolas was proud to have earned a 4.0 GPA and had a project selected as a Model Project published in Bandworld Magazine, Jan. 2014 put on display as an example for other students during the 2014 school year.

University of Iowa

Bachelor’s of Music - Music Education, 1997 - 2002

At the University of Iowa, Mr. Propes was honored to have been a member of the Hawkeye Marching Band, Hawkeye Pep Band, Symphony Band, Symphony Orchestra, and Vagabond Tuba Quartet. He also enjoyed hosting a variety of shows on the university radio station, 89.7 FM KRUI.

Honors

Winner, American Prize, Conducting: Community & School Division, 2019-20 season

Ensembles Conducted

Concert Ensembles

North Scott Junior High 7th Grade Band, August 2021 - Present
Hopewell Elementary School Band, August 2020 - June 2021
Pleasant Valley Junior High 7th Grade Band, Fall 2020
Big River Brass Band, 2016 - Present
Pleasant Valley High School Wind Ensemble, 2011 - 2016
Pleasant Valley High School Symphonic Band, 2005 - 2013
Pleasant Valley High School Concert Band, 2003 - 2010

Jazz Bands

Pleasant Valley High School Jazz Band Two, 2005 - 2016
Pleasant Valley High School Jazz Band Three, 2011 - 2014

Athletic Bands

Pleasant Valley High School Spartan Marching Band, 2003 - 2016
Pleasant Valley High School Spartan Pep Band, 2003 - 2016

Chamber Ensembles

Pleasant Valley High School Tuba/Euphonium Choir - 2010 - 2016
Pleasant Valley High School Trombone Choir - 2013 - 2015
Pleasant Valley High School Saxophone Choir - 2015 - 2016
Pleasant Valley High School Woodwind Choir - 2007, 2011
Pleasant Valley High School Brass Choir - 2010
Pleasant Valley High School Clarinet Choir - 2005

Guest Conducting

Bettendorf Park Band - June 17, 2022
Quad City Wind Ensemble, Holiday Concert - December 2021
Quad City Wind Ensemble, Fall Concert - October 2021
Quad City Wind Ensemble, Spring Concert - May 2020 (Postponed)
Quad City Wind Ensemble, Fall Concert - October 2019
Quad City Symphony Orchestra, Family Concert - April 2018
Big River Brass Band, June 2016

Chairmanships

Public Relations/Elections Chair, South East Iowa Bandmasters Association, 2021-Present
Board President, Quad City Wind Ensemble, 2008 - 2010
Publicity Chair, Quad City Wind Ensemble, 2007 - 2010
Technology Chair, South East Iowa Bandmasters Association, 2009 - 2013

Adjudication/Clinics

Adjudication

Southeast Iowa Bandmasters Association Junior High Large Group Festival, March 30, 2022
Quad City Wind Ensemble Concerto Competition Audition, March 13, 2022
Quad City Wind Ensemble Concerto Competition Auditions, April 25, 2021
Quad City Wind Ensemble Concerto Competition Auditions, March 1, 2020
Bettendorf Middle School Band Spring Concert, May 4, 2017

Clinics

West Music "Recruiting Band & Orch. Students in 2021” Panelist, Jan. 23, 2021
Glenview Middle School (IL) Band Rehearsathon, Feb. 21, 2020
North Scott High School (IA) Band Brass Sectional, Feb. 11, 2020
Quad City Youth Symphony Orchestra Brass Sectional, Jan. 19, 2020
Quad City Youth Philharmonic Orchestra Brass Sectional, Jan. 19, 2020
Davenport (IA) West High School All-State Mock Auditions, Oct. 8, 2019
St. Ambrose University Band Brass Ensemble, Guest Ensemble Coach, Apr. 30, 2019
Eagle Ridge School (IL) Band Clinic, Mar. 26, 2019
Quad City Youth Phil. Orch. Rehearsal, Guest Conductor, Mar. 3, 2019
Quad City Youth Sym. Orch. Rehearsal, Guest Conductor, Mar. 3, 2019
St. Ambrose University Band Woodwind/Percussion Sectional, Guest Sectional Coach, Feb. 19, 2019
Quad City Youth Philharmonic Orchestra Brass Sectional, Oct. 14, 2018
Quad City Youth Symphony Orchestra Brass Sectional, Oct. 14, 2018
Davenport (IA) West High School All-State Mock Auditions, Oct. 4, 2018
University of Iowa Instrumental Conducting, Guest Lecturer, Mar. 19, 2018
Quad City Youth Philharmonic Orchestra Brass Sectional, Feb. 26, 2017
Quad City Youth Symphony Orchestra Brass Sectional, Feb. 26, 2017
Quad City Youth Philharmonic Orchestra Brass Sectional, Aug. 21, 2016
Quad City Youth Symphony Orchestra Brass Sectional, Aug. 19, 2016

Affiliations

South East Iowa Bandmasters Association
Iowa Bandmasters Association
American School Band Directors Association
International Tuba Euphonium Association (Former)

Letters of Recommendation

Letters of recommendation from professional sources is available here.

Works Conducted

A completed list of works conducted by Nicolas Propes is available at http://bit.ly/conductedworks

Rehearsal/Conducting Videos

A YouTube playlist featuring videos of Nicolas conducting is available at http://bit.ly/conductingvideos