Michael Mikulka

1301 Crossing Place Apt. #1223 Austin, TX 78741 phone: (973) 670-6106 email: michaelmikulka@utexas.edu

Education

D.M.A. in Music Composition University of Texas (expected Spring 2015)

GPA: 3.889

M.M. in Music Composition Central Michigan University 2010

GPA: 4.0

B.M. in Music Education Rutgers University 2008

Concentration: Horn Performance

GPA: 3.669

Composition Teachers

Primary: David Gillingham, Donald Grantham, Russell Pinkston, Yevgeniy Sharlat, Dan Welcher

Secondary: Jay Batzner, Ethan Greene, Bruce Pennycook

Lessons/Master classes: Robert Beaser, Lisa Bielawa, Tom Cipullo, Andrea Clearfield, Eric Ewazen, Don Freund,

Adam Gorb, Zhou Long, Cindy McTee, Frank Ticheli, Joseph Turrin

Teaching Experience

2014: Teaching Assistant, University of Texas at Austin

Classes Taught: Undergraduate Sight Singing (4 classes)

2014: Horn Teacher, Austin Independent School District

2013: Theory Instructor, Longhorn Music Camp

Students Taught: Three Classes of High School students, varying in age and ability level

Topics Taught: Clefs, Time/Key Signatures, Intervals, Scales, Modes, Triads, Overtone Series, Chord Progressions

2008-2010: Graduate Assistant, Central Michigan University

Classes Taught: Theory I, Theory II, Sight Singing

Classes Graded: Theory I, Theory II, Sight Singing, Music Appreciation, Undergraduate Entrance Exams

Classes Proctored: Theory I, Theory II, Music Appreciation, Woodwind Tech

2008: Student Teacher, Edison HS: Edison, NJ

Ensembles Directed: Freshman Band

Ensembles Conducted in Concert: Freshman Band, Wind Ensemble

Ensembles Rehearsed: Freshman Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band 1

Sectionals Run: Trumpets, Horns, Jazz Trombones, Jazz Trumpets, Wind Ensemble Brass

Lessons Taught: Horn, Trumpet, Euphonium, Clarinet, Percussion

Commissions Suite for Tuba, Trumpet, and Piano (2014, 11’) – commissioned by tubist Cameron Warren and trumpeter Aaron Ney

Boom (2014, 2’) – commissioned by percussionist Zachary Singer

To Soar, To Throw, To Dive, To Lift (2013, 24’) for Brass Quintet – commissioned by Unlacquered Brass Quintet as the score for

ESPN/Longhorn Network’s program “Performance Art”

Flute Sonata #1 (2012, 19’) for Flute and Piano – commissioned by flutist Timothy Hagen

Be The Change (2008, 10’): for Violin, Viola, Cello, and Bass – commissioned by the Seattle University String Quartet for the 2008 Opus

Prize Awards Ceremony

Ballad for Euphonium (2006, 5’30): for Euphonium and Piano – commissioned by euphoniumist Jarrett Lipman

Composition Awards and Honors

Contests:

To Throw: Grand Prize winner, PARMA Recordings Student Composer Competition (2014)

Krikkit Variations: finalist, Austin Civic Orchestra Composition Contest (2014)

Krikkit Variations: winner, Brazosport Symphony Orchestra Composition Competition (2013)

Through the Icy Dawn: finalist, Frank Ticheli Composition Contest (2013)

Prelude and Fugue: finalist, Frank Ticheli Composition Contest (2013)

Sonatina for Violin and Piano: honorable mention, DSO/Texas Young Composers Project (2013)

Fanfarest of the Fair: one of 7 winners, Dallas Wind Symphony Brass Fanfare Contest (2012)

Suite for Brass Octet: 2nd

place, Humboldt Brass Composition Competition (2011)

Snowfalls: finalist, Washington Metropolitan Philharmonic Composition Contest (2009)

Concertpiece for Brass Octet: 2nd

place, Humboldt Brass Composition Competition (2009)

Quartet for the End of Time: one of 3 winners, Western Michigan New Music Project (2009)

Sunset, 1892: 1st

place Grand Prize winner, Montclair Art Museum Pictures Competition (2008)

African Rhapsody: one of 2 winners, Young Eight Emerging Composers Competition (2006)

Calls for Scores:

Spray: one of 15 winners, Vox Novus 15 Minutes of Infamy: Flutist Robert Dick (2014)

Reverie: selected in call for scores by World Oceans and pianist James Gibson (2014)

Four Romantic Songs: selected in call for scores by cellist Christian Schrock (2014)

Through the Icy Dawn: selected in call for scores by Waterloo Wind Band (2014)

Modal Fixture: one of 15 winners, Vox Novus 15 Minutes of Fame: Crane Harp Ensemble (2013)

Tengo Un Minuto: selected in call for scores by A Very Small Consortium (2013)

Morning Calls: selected in call for scores by A Very Small Consortium (2013)

Are They Ill-Tempered?: selected in call for scores by A Very Small Consortium (2013)

By Hand: selected for performance at the LaTex Electronic Music Festival (2012)

The Wind Among the Reeds: selected in call for scores by tenor Gregory Wiest (2012)

Sonatina for Bassoon and Piano: selected for performance at the SCI Region VI Convention (2012)

Are They Ill Tempered?: one of 15 winners, Vox Novus 15 Minutes of Fame: Peter Reit, Horn (2012)

22o Distant: one of 15 winners, Vox Novus 15 Minutes of Fame: Parhelion Trio (2012)

Hymn for Armenia: selected in call for scores by CSU Bakersfield Concert Band (2010)

Other Relevant Experience and Honors

Certified to teach K-12 Music in Texas and New Jersey

10 high school level solo/chamber compositions published by JPM Music Publications

9 high school level solo/chamber compositions selected for inclusion on Missouri Prescribed Music List

Composer in Residence: California State University, Bakersfield

Preliminary Judge, Michigan Youth Composition Contest

Judge: Texas District 18 Junior High Region Band

800, GRE Quantitative Test (maximum score is 800)

Score of 189, Praxis Music Content Knowledge (passing score is 153, maximum score is 200)

Attended Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic/NJMEA Conference/TMEA Convention

Three compositions featured by Composers Circle

Received Graduate Student Publication & Presentation Grants from CMU School of Music and University of Texas

Leadership Experience

Founder and Operator, newbandmusic.com

Created a website devoted to cataloging, organizing, and marketing the best self-published wind band music for free

Distributed a series of calls for wind band scores, selected compositions for inclusion on the site

Marketed site to band directors (over 2000 subscribers between Facebook page and Twitter account)

Had write-ups published in the Spring and Fall 2013 CBDNA Reports

Promoting these pieces has led to radio airtime, publishing contracts, and performances (including Regional CBDNA)

Creator and Conductor, Vine Orchestra

Distributed a call for scores which last 6 seconds or less

150 compositions submitted, with entrants from 5 continents

Premiered and recorded 52 pieces (from 48 composers)

Posted recordings online (YouTube recordings have received well over 10,000 views)

Contributor, Nuts and Bolts Radio (KVRX Austin)

Moderated “Performing New Music” panel featuring 5 of Austin’s most active new music performers

Interviewed by host Joelle Zigman about new music for wind band

Interviewed composer Frank Ticheli

Orientation Panelist, Graduate School Assembly

Represented Fine Arts Department in 6-person orientation panel for incoming graduate students.

Instrumental Coordinator, 2013 Cohen New Works Festival/Synthesis

Communicated with leaders of Dance Action and Classical Reinvention

Formed chamber ensembles, Led rehearsals

Dress Rehearsal Bouncer, UT CLUTCH Committee

Organize and direct the composition recital dress rehearsals

Help decide recital order and which pieces get programmed on composition concerts

Co-founder, Rutgers Undergraduate Composers’ Recital

Remained active after my graduation, with premieres of over 30 pieces by more than 10 composers

Recent Instrumental Performance Experience

Horn:

Private Lessons:

Pat Hughes (2013-2014)

Doug Lundeen (2004-2008)

Large Ensemble:

UT Wind Ensemble (2013-2014)

UT Symphony Orchestra (2013-2014)

UT Horn Choir (2013-2014)

UT New Music Ensemble (2013)

UT University Orchestra (2013)

UT Wind Symphony (2012-2013)

Past experience in New Jersey All-State Orchestra and Band

Chamber/Solo:

“Fanfare and Theme” by Jacob Schnitzer (chamber brass ensemble) (2014)*

“Nocturno” by Franz Strauss (horn and piano) (2014)

“The Island” by Franklin Piland (flute, horn, and piano) (2014)

“Shadows in Light” by Brandon Clinton (solo horn and offstage field drum) (2014)*

“Ants Running From a Charred Catfish” by Ben Stonaker (2013)*

“A Long Since Faded Memory” by Jeffrey Hayman (wind quintet) (2013)*

“Engines” by Joelle Zigman (wind quintet) (2013)

“Clair de Lune” by Claude Debussy (arranged for horn quartet) at Cohen New Works Festival (2013)

“Trois Chansons” by Claude Debussy (arranged for horn quartet) at Cohen New Works Festival (2013)

“Casbah of Tetouan” by Kerry Turner (horn quintet) (2013)

“How About Here?” by Joshua Shank (chamber ensemble) (2013)*

Trumpet: Large Ensemble:

Past experience in New Jersey County, Area, and Region Honors Bands

Chamber/Solo:

“Once Wishing for Yesteryear” by Jeffrey Hayman (chamber ensemble) (2012)*

Past experience in musicals

Past experience in jazz bands (* = world premiere performance)

Critical Review

“the highly successful 22o Distant by Michael Mikulka employed direct plucking and strumming of the piano strings, together

with slowly emerging clarinet drones and flute harmonics to create an engaging and apt depiction of the (Parhelion) conceit…”

Seth Gilman, examiner.com (July, 2012)

“…cleverly strung together, occasionally overlaid with the modalities of black America. Here the exuberance of the Young Eight

worked well”

Elizabeth and Joe Kahn (on “African Rhapsody”), Classical Voice of North Carolina (October, 2006)

Other relevant courses taken:

Independent Study: Wind Conducting (Rob Carnochan)

Supervised Teaching in Music: Theory Pedagogy (Byron Almen)

Independent Study: Film and Media Scoring (Bruce Pennycook)

Intermediate Electronic Composition

Introduction to Electronic Media

Recent Performances of Compositions To Soar, To Lift, To Throw, To Dive – Redline Brass Quintet – Boston, MA

Godzilla Devours Reno (2014) - Minnesota Junior Winds – Edina, MN

To Throw (2014) Redline Brass Quintet – Portsmouth, NH

Through the Icy Dawn (2014) Waterloo Wind Band – Austin, TX

Suite for Tuba, Trumpet, and Piano (2014) University of Texas – Austin, TX

Boom (2014) Jessen Auditorium – Austin, TX

The Florentainer (2014) Defiance College Community Band – Defiance, OH

Chicago, 1835 (2014) Fine Arts Library – Austin, TX

Sarabande and Retaliation (2014) Austin Saxophone Ensemble – Austin, TX

Concerto for Trumpet and Wind Ensemble (2014) Travis Heath and Northeastern Illinois University Band – Chicago, IL

Krikkit Variations (2014) Brazosport Symphony Orchestra – Lake Jackson, TX

Prelude and Fugue (2014) CLUTCH Wind Ensemble - Austin, TX

Modal Fixture (2013) Crane Harp Ensemble – New York, NY

Tengo un Minuto (2013) University of Wisconsin – Green Bay, WI

Are They Ill-Tempered? (2013) University of Wisconsin – Green Bay, WI

(2012) Jan Hus Church – New York, NY

Morning Calls (2013) University of Wisconsin – Green Bay, WI

Hymn for Armenia: (2013) Arrowhead HS – Hartland, WI

(2011) Doré Theatre – Bakersfield, CA

Four Miniatures: (2013) Humboldt Brass Chamber Workshop – Arcata, CA

The Wind Among the Reeds (2013) Munich, Germany

(2012) Jessen Auditorium – Austin, TX

Sonatina for Violin and Piano (2013) Voices of Change – Plano, TX

Concert for Flute and Chamber Orchestra (2013) University of Texas New Music Ensemble – Austin, TX

Flute Sonata #1 (2013) Jessen Auditorium – Austin, TX

(2013) Recital Studio – Austin, TX

Reverie (2013) Jessen Auditorium – Austin, TX

Huit Etudes Importantes et Nécessaires (2013) Jessen Auditorium – Austin, TX

Süite for Brass Quintet Combo (2013) Jessen Auditorium – Austin, TX

22o Distant (2013) Jan Hus Church – New York, NY

(2012) St. Marks Church – New York, NY

Catfish Louie (2012) Recital Studio – Austin, TX

To Summon Rain, Wind, Snow, and Thunder: (2013) Cohen New Works Festival – Austin, TX

(2012) Western Ontario University – London, ONT

(2012) Recital Studio – Austin, TX

Registry Error (2012) Recital Studio – Austin, TX

By Hand (2012) Louisiana State University – Baton Rouge, LA

Fanfarest of the Fair (2012) Meyerson Symphony Center – Dallas, TX

Sonatina for Bassoon (2012) SCI Regional Conference – Canyon, TX

(2011) Jessen Auditorium – Austin, TX

Four Woodland Sketches (2012) Jessen Auditorium – Austin, TX

Nocturne for Harp (2012) Jessen Auditorium – Austin, TX

Suite for Brass Octet (2012) Jessen Auditorium – Austin, TX

(2011) Humboldt Chamber Music Workshop – Humboldt, CA

I Met Senator Levin Today (2012) Jessen Auditorium – Austin, TX

Two Moods (2012) Jessen Auditorium – Austin, TX

From Detroit to LA (2011) Bates Recital Hall – Austin, TX

I Am Vocalist! (2011) Jessen Auditorium – Austin, TX

Last Chance (2011) Jessen Auditorium – Austin, TX

What Did I Miss? (2012) Chisholm Trail Middle School – Round Rock, TX

(2011) Graduate Quartet Outreach Concert – Austin, TX

(2011) Jessen Auditorium – Austin, TX

Through the Drifting Autumn (2011) Jessen Auditorium – Austin, TX

Scherzo for Flute #3 (2011) Jessen Auditorium – Austin, TX

And A Hero Was Born (2011) Jessen Auditorium – Austin, TX

Suite for Trumpet (2011) University of Texas – Austin, TX