School of Music
Music Appreciation, Music Theory
Phone: (828) 227-7242
E-mail: dave@wilktone.com
Website: http://www.wilktone.com
Education:
- D.A. in Trombone Performance, Ball State University, 2000
- M. M. in Jazz Studies, DePaul University, 1994
- B.M. in Composition, Illinois Wesleyan University, 1992
Biography:
David Wilken teaches Music Theory, Music Appreciation and Jazz Appreciation. He has previously taught these courses and also brass, jazz, and composition at Adams State College and the University of North Carolina at Asheville.
A trombonist, Dave has performed with a wide variety of groups, including the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra, Nelson Riddle Orchestra, Brevard Philharmonic Orchestra, and Nuevo Montuno. He is the lead trombonist and music director of the Asheville Jazz Orchestra. Dave is also an active composer, specializing in music for big bands. His composing and arranging can be heard on projects by the Indianapolis Jazz Orchestra, Stephanie's Id, Lonnie Lester, and the Asheville Jazz Orchestra. Dave's music has been published by PDF Jazz Music.
As a graduate student, Dave developed an interest in how brass embouchures function during a lesson with trombonist Doug Elliott. His dissertation topic explored the physical characteristics that can make different players’ embouchures function correctly in very different ways. He continues to study brass embouchures in detail and is devoted to making this under-recognized topic more accessible to teachers and brass musicians.