Faculty Profile

Nick Finzer

Title
Assistant Professor
Department
Jazz Studies
College
College of Music

    

    

      


                          

            
Curriculum Vitae

            

              Click Here to View Faculty CV
            

          

        
                          

            
Education

            



  

  


  
MMus, The Julliard School, 2012. 
Major: Jazz Studies





          

        
                

          
Current Scheduled Teaching*


          
MUGC 6953.728, Dissertation Recital, Spring 2024 Syllabus
MUJS 5370.003, Graduate Review of Jazz Improvisation, Spring 2024 Syllabus
MUEN 2611.505, Jazz Ensembles, Spring 2024 Syllabus
MUEN 5611.505, Jazz Ensembles, Spring 2024 Syllabus
MUJS 2370.001, Jazz Improvisation, Spring 2024 Syllabus
MUJS 1132.506, Jazz Performance Fundamentals II, Spring 2024 Syllabus
MUJS 5535.704, Jazz Recital, Spring 2024 Syllabus
MUJS 4720.704, Jazz Senior Recital Capstone, Spring 2024 Syllabus
MUJS 5537.700, Jazz Trombone, Spring 2024 Syllabus
MUJS 6537.700, Jazz Trombone, Spring 2024 Syllabus
MULB 1821.502, Latin Jazz Lab, Spring 2024 Syllabus


          
*
  Texas Education Code 51.974 (HB 2504) requires each institution of
  higher education to make available to the public, a syllabus for
  undergraduate lecture courses offered for credit by the institution.
  

        

      

    

  


    

    

      


        


          


            
Previous Scheduled Teaching*


            
                    

                    MUGC 6952.731, Dissertation Recital, Fall 2023 
                    

                    MUEN 2611.503, Jazz Ensembles, Fall 2023  SPOT
                    

                    MUEN 5611.503, Jazz Ensembles, Fall 2023  SPOT
                    

                    MUJS 2370.001, Jazz Improvisation, Fall 2023 Syllabus
                    

                    MUJS 1131.506, Jazz Performance Fundamentals I, Fall 2023 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUAC 3537.700, Jazz Trombone, Fall 2023  SPOT
                    

                    MUJS 5537.700, Jazz Trombone, Fall 2023  SPOT
                    

                    MUJS 6537.700, Jazz Trombone, Fall 2023  SPOT
                    

                    MULB 5174.530, Large Ensemble: Jazz Lab Band, Fall 2023  SPOT
                    

                    MULB 1821.502, Latin Jazz Lab, Fall 2023  SPOT
                    

                    MUAS 5517.730, Trombone, Fall 2023  SPOT
                    

                    MUGC 6951.708, Dissertation Recital, Spring 2023 Syllabus
                    

                    MUJS 5370.003, Graduate Review of Jazz Improvisation, Spring 2023 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUEN 2611.505, Jazz Ensembles, Spring 2023  SPOT
                    

                    MUEN 5611.505, Jazz Ensembles, Spring 2023 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUJS 2370.001, Jazz Improvisation, Spring 2023 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUJS 1132.506, Jazz Performance Fundamentals II, Spring 2023 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUJS 4720.704, Jazz Senior Recital Capstone, Spring 2023 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUAC 3537.700, Jazz Trombone, Spring 2023 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUJS 5537.700, Jazz Trombone, Spring 2023 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUJS 6537.700, Jazz Trombone, Spring 2023 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MULB 5174.530, Large Ensemble: Jazz Lab Band, Spring 2023  SPOT
                    

                    MULB 1821.502, Latin Jazz Lab, Spring 2023 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUAS 5517.730, Trombone, Spring 2023 
                    

                    MUEN 2611.503, Jazz Ensembles, Fall 2022  SPOT
                    

                    MUEN 5611.503, Jazz Ensembles, Fall 2022 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUJS 2370.001, Jazz Improvisation, Fall 2022 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUJS 1131.506, Jazz Performance Fundamentals I, Fall 2022 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUAC 3537.700, Jazz Trombone, Fall 2022 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUJS 5537.700, Jazz Trombone, Fall 2022 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUJS 6537.700, Jazz Trombone, Fall 2022 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MULB 1821.502, Latin Jazz Lab, Fall 2022 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUAS 1517.708, Trombone, Fall 2022 
                    

                    MUJS 5370.003, Graduate Review of Jazz Improvisation, Spring 2022  SPOT
                    

                    MUEN 2611.505, Jazz Ensembles, Spring 2022 Syllabus
                    

                    MUEN 5611.505, Jazz Ensembles, Spring 2022 Syllabus
                    

                    MUJS 2370.001, Jazz Improvisation, Spring 2022 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUJS 1132.506, Jazz Performance Fundamentals II, Spring 2022 Syllabus
                    

                    MUJS 5535.704, Jazz Recital, Spring 2022 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUAC 3537.700, Jazz Trombone, Spring 2022 Syllabus
                    

                    MULB 1821.502, Latin Jazz Lab, Spring 2022 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUAS 5517.730, Trombone, Spring 2022 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUEN 5611.503, Jazz Ensembles, Fall 2021 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUEN 5611Z.503, Jazz Ensembles, Fall 2021 Syllabus
                    

                    MUJS 2370.001, Jazz Improvisation, Fall 2021 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUJS 1131.506, Jazz Performance Fundamentals I, Fall 2021 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUAC 3537.700, Jazz Trombone, Fall 2021 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUJS 5537.700, Jazz Trombone, Fall 2021 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MULB 5174.530, Large Ensemble: Jazz Lab Band, Fall 2021  SPOT
                    

                    MUAS 5517.730, Trombone, Fall 2021 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUEN 2611.505, Jazz Ensembles, Spring 2021 
                    

                    MUEN 5611.505, Jazz Ensembles, Spring 2021 
                    

                    MULB 1808.503, Jazz Lab Band, Spring 2021 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUJS 1132.506, Jazz Performance Fundamentals II, Spring 2021 Syllabus
                    

                    MUJS 5535.704, Jazz Recital, Spring 2021  SPOT
                    

                    MUJS 4720.704, Jazz Senior Recital Capstone, Spring 2021 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUAC 3537.700, Jazz Trombone, Spring 2021  SPOT
                    

                    MUJS 5537.700, Jazz Trombone, Spring 2021  SPOT
                    

                    MULB 5174.503, Large Ensemble: Jazz Lab Band, Spring 2021  SPOT
                    

                    MULB 1821.502, Latin Jazz Lab, Spring 2021 Syllabus
                    

                    MUAS 3517.730, Trombone, Spring 2021 
                    

                    MUEN 2611.503, Jazz Ensembles, Fall 2020 Syllabus
                    

                    MUEN 5611.503, Jazz Ensembles, Fall 2020 Syllabus
                    

                    MULB 1808.503, Jazz Lab Band, Fall 2020 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUJS 1131.506, Jazz Performance Fundamentals I, Fall 2020 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUJS 5535.704, Jazz Recital, Fall 2020 Syllabus
                    

                    MUAC 3537.700, Jazz Trombone, Fall 2020 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUJS 5537.700, Jazz Trombone, Fall 2020 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUJS 5537.800, Jazz Trombone, Fall 2020 Syllabus
                    

                    MULB 5174.503, Large Ensemble: Jazz Lab Band, Fall 2020 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MULB 1821.502, Latin Jazz Lab, Fall 2020 Syllabus
                    

                    MUAS 3517.730, Trombone, Fall 2020 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MULB 1808.503, Jazz Lab Band, Spring 2020 
                    

                    MUJS 1132.506, Jazz Performance Fundamentals II, Spring 2020 Syllabus
                    

                    MUJS 5535.708, Jazz Recital, Spring 2020 Syllabus
                    

                    MUJS 4720.704, Jazz Senior Recital Capstone, Spring 2020 Syllabus
                    

                    MUAC 3537.700, Jazz Trombone, Spring 2020 Syllabus
                    

                    MUJS 5537.700, Jazz Trombone, Spring 2020 Syllabus
                    

                    MULB 5174.503, Large Ensemble: Jazz Lab Band, Spring 2020 
                    

                    MULB 5174.530, Large Ensemble: Jazz Lab Band, Spring 2020 
                    

                    MULB 5174Z.530, Large Ensemble: Jazz Lab Band, Spring 2020 
                    

                    MULB 1821.502, Latin Jazz Lab, Spring 2020 
                    

                    MUEN 5611.503, Jazz Ensembles, Fall 2019 Syllabus
                    

                    MULB 1808.503, Jazz Lab Band, Fall 2019 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUJS 1131.506, Jazz Performance Fundamentals I, Fall 2019 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUAC 3537.700, Jazz Trombone, Fall 2019 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUJS 5537.700, Jazz Trombone, Fall 2019 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MULB 5174.503, Large Ensemble: Jazz Lab Band, Fall 2019 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MULB 1821.502, Latin Jazz Lab, Fall 2019 Syllabus
                    

                    MUJS 3360.002, Advanced Jazz Improvisation, Spring 2019 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUJS 5370.007, Graduate Review of Jazz Improvisation, Spring 2019  SPOT
                    

                    MUJS 1132.506, Jazz Performance Fundamentals II, Spring 2019 Syllabus
                    

                    MUJS 5535.708, Jazz Recital, Spring 2019  SPOT
                    

                    MUJS 4720.704, Jazz Senior Recital Capstone, Spring 2019 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUAC 3537.700, Jazz Trombone, Spring 2019  SPOT
                    

                    MUJS 5537.700, Jazz Trombone, Spring 2019  SPOT
                    

                    MUJS 6537.700, Jazz Trombone, Spring 2019  SPOT
                    

                    MULB 1821.502, Latin Jazz Lab, Spring 2019 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUJS 3360.002, Advanced Jazz Improvisation, Fall 2018 Syllabus
                    

                    MUEN 5611.503, Jazz Ensembles, Fall 2018 
                    

                    MUJS 1131.506, Jazz Performance Fundamentals I, Fall 2018 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUJS 4720.708, Jazz Senior Recital Capstone, Fall 2018 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUAC 3537.700, Jazz Trombone, Fall 2018 Syllabus SPOT
                    

                    MUJS 5537.700, Jazz Trombone, Fall 2018  SPOT

          


          
*
  Texas Education Code 51.974 (HB 2504) requires each institution of
  higher education to make available to the public, a syllabus for
  undergraduate lecture courses offered for credit by the institution.
  

        

      

    

  

  
  	

	

	  

		

		   
Published Publications



  

  
Published Intellectual Contributions


  
Book
Finzer, N. A. (2022). GO! A 20 Minute Growth Mindset Warmup. IfCM Press. https://www.amazon.com/GO-Growth-Mindset-Warmup-Trombonist/dp/B0BCRXJLTK/ref=sr_1_1?crid=37XPT1CBQHA5J&keywords=nick+finzer+go+warmup&qid=1673383053&sprefix=nick+finzer+go+warmup%2Caps%2C108&sr=8-1
Finzer, N. A. (2022). Create, Connect, Repeat! Building an Artistic Business in the 21st Century. IfCM Press. https://www.amazon.com/Create-Connect-Repeat-Building-Artistic-ebook/dp/B09SQBT4JT/ref=sr_1_3?qid=1673383178&refinements=p_27%3ANick+Finzer&s=books&sr=1-3&text=Nick+Finzer
Finzer, N.  (2021). GET TO IT: Jazz Trombone Duets that Feature Improvisation. https://www.amazon.com/Get-Improvisation-Duets-Jazz-Trombone/dp/B095GLRS5K/ref=sr_1_1?crid=118922MJ774TI&keywords=nick+finzer+get+to+it&qid=1642006810&sprefix=nick+finzer+get+to+it%2Caps%2C70&sr=8-1
Finzer, N.  (2020). Get Language! 150 Language Ideas in 5 Levels. 1(1), 43.  NY NY: Institute for Creative Music Press. https://www.amazon.com/Get-Language-language-levels-VERSION/dp/B08F6TVWJW/ref=pd_sbs_1?pd_rd_w=etJA9&pf_rd_p=c52600a3-624a-4791-b4c4-3b112e19fbbc&pf_rd_r=23YY7ZW6TJ8856QW568N&pd_rd_r=55e0af31-0741-4462-a968-585dedd61179&pd_rd_wg=SzGuK&pd_rd_i=B08F6TVWJW&psc=1
Finzer, N.  (2020). GET SET - 22 Etudes to Study Jazz Improvisation. 1(1), 50.  NY NY: Institute for Creative Music Press. 
Finzer, N.  (2019). Get Ready: A Focused Daily Trombone Routine. 
CD Recording - Ensemble
Finzer, N.  (2020). Play on Glenn Zaleski's Recording: The Question. 
Finzer, N.  (2019). Anat Cohen Tentet - Triple Helix.  Brooklyn, NY: Anzic Records. 
Finzer, N.  (2019). Alexa Tarantino - Winds of Change.  Los Angeles, CA: Positone Records. https://www.posi-tone.com/
Finzer, N.  (2019). Nick Finzer's Hear & Now Live at Bunker Studios.  New York, NY: Outside in Music. www.outsideinmusic.com
Finzer, N. A. (2018). Nick Finzer's Hear & Now Live in New York City. https://open.spotify.com/album/3kVpvr3kfZdoJ62KUmn319?si=CRHQVXoiQZauy94YIF8RSA
CD Recording - Solo
Finzer, N. A. (2024). Say When (Single). https://open.spotify.com/track/5rrHwrjJBIEY3feIND6U4F?si=9741bc6897c74384
Finzer, N. A. (2023). Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Single). https://open.spotify.com/track/5au0oczyozHQTfHdMsPwie?si=21d2d5b7641c4c09
Finzer, N. A. (2023). Dreams, Visions, Illusions (Extended). https://open.spotify.com/album/2wBPvVWDQffXEE71xRID4I?si=ZxIKvXxPTTaZQeVgFHqosw
Finzer, N. A. (2023). Dreams Visions Illusions. https://www.outsideinmusic.com/artistsandreleases/finzer-dreams-visions-illusions-album
Finzer, N. A. (2022). The Christmas Song (Single). https://open.spotify.com/track/3okHnSYgfA8xk9fTvAuQ5s?si=4649f7987ad74069
Finzer, N. A. (2022). Christmas Time is Here (Single). https://open.spotify.com/track/09k042p7J40eg68n8H16r7?si=359b0d9495b043ba
Finzer, N.  (2021). Out of Focus. Outside in Music. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09JXQ64RX/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=nick+finzer+out+of+focus&qid=1642006900&sprefix=nick+finzer+out+%2Caps%2C98&sr=8-2
Finzer, N.  (2020). Cast of Characters. https://www.outsideinmusic.com/pressreleases/2019/12/8/new-album-february-28th-2020-nick-finzer-cast-of-characters
Finzer, N.  (2019). Nick Finzer & Chris Ziemba Live at Pinch Recording. www.outsideinmusic.com
Finzer, N. A. (2018). No Arrival.  Los Angeles, CA: Posi-Tone Records. https://open.spotify.com/album/04W9bML8BiK5hbdV0WRsn8?si=NHRc2boyQl-l5j4BjZGZlQ
Video and Audiovisual Material
Finzer, N. A. (2023). To Dream a Bigger Dream. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10eJnPZCl8Y
Finzer, N. A. (2022). AskNick Episodes 91 - 112. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzzvqOHij9g&list=PLXD7328p4PAfb0QVTzMGkFbLWTmYsixAP&index=11
Finzer, N. A. (2022). Nick Finzer Lectures on Music Profesor App.  Elkhart, Indiana: Conn Selmer. https://www.musicprofessor.com/bundles/king-trombone
Finzer, N.  (2021). AskNick Livestream Episodes 50 - 90. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXD7328p4PAfb0QVTzMGkFbLWTmYsixAP
Finzer, N.  (2021). The ONLY Drone Course You'll Ever Need!. https://institute-for-creative-music.teachable.com/p/the-drone-course
Finzer, N.  (2020). AskNick Livestream Show Episodes 001 - 050. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXD7328p4PAfb0QVTzMGkFbLWTmYsixAP
Finzer, N.  (2020). Video Single - Christmas Time is Here. https://youtu.be/krZblXRwpJg
Finzer, N.  (2020). Nick Finzer's Jazz Trombone Christmas in July (25 Day Deep Dive into Jazz Language). https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXD7328p4PAfz92JS0MyxEYjq0aW37xxA
Finzer, N.  (2020). Single - Sing a Song of Song. https://youtu.be/GOBlwmM9T7w
Finzer, N.  (2020). Premiere of Cast of Characters Full Video Experience. https://youtu.be/xqGvEKd6lMQ
Finzer, N.  (2020). Nick Finzer Trading Sessions. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXD7328p4PAcuLlXuz1Kcei1oiDl6tTg-
Finzer, N. A. (2018). Nick Finzer's Hear & Now Plays Chick Corea's Now He Sings Now He Sobs. Nick Finzer's Hear & Now Plays Chick Corea's Now He Sings Now He Sobs (50th Anniversary Celebration). 



	
		
		
	  

	

	

  
    
	

	

	  

		

		   
Awarded Grants



  
  
  	  
          
Contracts, Grants and Sponsored Research  

 	 
	 	 
  
Grant - Research   
Finzer, N., "Chamber Music America - New Jazz Works," Sponsored by Chamber Music America, International, $27000 Funded. (June 1, 2021 – June 1, 2024).
Finzer, N., "UNT SCA Award," Sponsored by UNT, Local, $5000 Funded. (November 1, 2021 – July 31, 2022).
Grant - Teaching   
Finzer, N., "Weyerhauser Foundation," Sponsored by Institute for Creative Music, National, $5000 Funded. (May 1, 2022 – June 1, 2022).



	
		
		
	  

	

	

	
	

  
  
  

  	

		

		,  
			
				

					
					Overall
Summative Rating		
					Challenge and
Engagement Index		
					Response Rate
					
				

			
			
				

					
					
out of 5		
					
out of 7		
					%
 of 
students responded		
					
					
				

			
		


		
    
			
  • Overall Summative Rating (median):
    
			This rating represents the combined responses of students to the four global summative items and is presented to provide an overall index of the class’s quality. Overall summative statements include the following (response options include a Likert scale ranging from 5 = Excellent, 3 = Good, and 1= Very poor):
				
      
					
    • The course as a whole was
      • 
					
    • The course content was
      • 
					
    • The instructor’s contribution to the course was
      • 
					
    • The instructor’s effectiveness in teaching the subject matter was
      • 
				
    
			
    • 
			
  • Challenge and Engagement Index:
    
			This rating combines student responses to several SPOT items relating to how academically challenging students found the course to be and how engaged they were. Challenge and Engagement Index items include the following (response options include a Likert scale ranging from 7 = Much higher, 4 = Average, and 1 = Much lower):
				
      
					
    • Do you expect your grade in this course to be
      • 
					
    • The intellectual challenge presented was
      • 
					
    • The amount of effort you put into this course was
      • 
					
    • The amount of effort to succeed in this course was
      • 
					
    • Your involvement in course (doing assignments, attending classes, etc.) was
      • 
				
    
			
    • 
		

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