The Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at CSULB congratulates Tim Jensen as the Cole Conservatory Scholar of the Month for December 2014.
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This Week at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music
 

Cole Conservatory Scholar of the Month:
December 2014


Tim Jensen, Bass

Tim Jensen.

Tim Jensen is a transfer student from Irvine Valley College and lives in Santa Ana, California. He is pursuing a BA with an emphasis in bass performance.

Tim began to study piano at the age of 7, but due to a severe medical condition, he was forced to stop playing music. He was hospitalized for nearly a year and was not reintroduced to music until the 8th grade, when he was accidentally placed into the school’s orchestra class. Tim‘s teacher pleaded with him to stay in the class, which he did, and he began to learn to play the string bass.

He pursued music at Foothill High School where he played in the Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble, receiving the Award of Excellence in Music. From there he attended Irvine Valley College and began to take private lessons. Soon he was seated as principal bass in the Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Ensemble.

Tim has interests in both music performance and composition, particularly video game scoring. He has performed a string bass recital as well as a composition recital. While at IVC, Tim received the Ikemi Murakami Instrumental Music Scholarship and the ASIVC Fine Arts Scholarship, as well as receiving his Associate of Arts Degree.

He performed with both the 2013 and 2014 College Band Directors National Association Small College and Community College Intercollegiate Bands at the national and regional conferences, held in Greensboro, North Carolina and Reno, Nevada. While attending the 2013 Music Association of Community Colleges conference, he both played in the intercollegiate band and participated in the composition master class. Tim has also performed with the Orange County Youth Symphony Orchestra as principal bass, and was the co-winner of the 2013 OCYSO concerto competition.

Tim has played several times with Symphony Irvine and the Dana Point Symphony. He currently is bass section leader in the University Symphony Orchestra. He has taught privately for over four years and is currently employed at Guitar Center studios, where he teaches bass, guitar, strings, and piano. Tim taught a 4th-grade strings class at Culverdale Elementary in Irvine to ESL students; there he also discovered an interest in linguistics.

BCCM: Do any of your family members play instruments?

TJ: My Mom plays both the harp and the piano and she is much better than she thinks. Two siblings sing and another used to play the violin.

BCCM: Who or what influenced your musical pursuits?

TJ: It wasn’t an individual but rather physical disabilities I experienced when I was younger. When I heard things like, “you won’t be able to play,” due to my condition and its aftermath, it sparked in me a strong determination. I was going to overcome and move beyond my physical limitations. The damage required multiple intense surgeries and skin grafts on both my hands and feet. The nerves in my hand had to be repaired to reconnect my finger movements. Now, when I play with one finger I must think to move another for a response in the appropriate finger. As I continued to practice and play my hand became “re-educated.” Music was my physical therapy. In high school I also joined the wresting team to help with my strength and coordination.

BCCM: What / who is your favorite music / composer / artist?

TJ: When listening to classical, I love Tchaikovsky. When I play, I really enjoy playing Bach. Right now I am working on Bach’s Third Cello Suite and plan to perform it in my junior recital next year. I also really enjoy listening to and playing heavy metal.

BCCM: What do you like to do outside of music?

TJ: Video gaming—it’s my "guilty pleasure" and sparked my interest in video game scoring. I love to watch movies as well.

BCCM: What do you want to do after you complete your degree(s)?

TJ: I have worked with others who have physical limitations and enjoy seeing them go beyond their injuries to success. I would like to do more of this kind of work. I also have an interest in video game scoring. Ultimately I would like to play in a professional orchestra and maintain a private bass studio.

BCCM: Do you have any plans for the Holidays?

TJ: I am looking forward to going snowboarding with some freinds from school; I am also taking my first cruise (to the Caribbean).

WE SAY CONGRATULATIONS TIM! Bon Voyage—watch your air position and don’t go below after dinner.


Previously Honored Cole Scholars of the Month

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

 
 
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Bob Cole Conservatory of Music
California State University, Long Beach

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