School of Sport, Performing Arts and Leisure

Nigel Beer

Biographical summary

Nigel Beer performs professionally as a trumpet player and has appeared alongside famous pop and jazz figureheads such as Jools Holland and Bobby Shew as well as being a sideman on various commercial recordings. He also maintains an interest in the latest music technology developments recently gaining Avid Pro-tools certification and enjoys using different production software platforms to compose and record music.

In addition to his interest in live music performance, Nigel is currently conducting research into how jazz musicians develop their individual style. Additionally, he is involved in a joint research project into the effect of emotion upon musical performers.

Teaching responsibilities

• Course Leader Bmus (Hons) Music
• Music Performance Practice
• Advanced Instrumental Skills
• Performance Workshop
• Music Theory
• Research, Interpretation and Analysis
• Music Ensembles
• Project

Non teaching responsibilities

• Academic Research and Development Coordinator Music,
• Protools Course Coordinator
• Work Based Learning Representative Music

Research Interests

• Style Acquisition in Jazz Music
• Emotion in Performance

Qualifications

• BA(hons) Band Musicianship (Salford University, 1993)
• MA(Perf.) Bands, Jazz and Popular Music (Salford University, 1995),
• PGCert Adult Learners in Higher Education (Nottingham Trent University, 1997)

Employment History

• Graduate Assistant Salford University
• Brass Tutor Queen Elizabeths Grammar School Blackburn
• Peripatetic Brass Tutor Lancashire Regional Music School
• Associate Lecturer in Popular Music Preston College
• Lecturer in Popular Music New College Nottingham
• Senior Lecturer in Music and Popular Music University of Wolverhampton
• Acting Head of Music Department University of Wolverhampton
• Lifelong Learning Network Creative Arts Discipline Group Coordinator
• Musical Director for Staffordshire Performing Arts

Publications

Recordings with Octopus Records, Psycho Phunk Phish, Goldfish, Nottingham Jazz Orchestra and others

Conference Papers/Performances

• 'The Musical Style of Dizzy Gillespie' at 'Watching Jazz' 2011 Glasgow University
•  'Jazz Transcription: A Help or Hindrance?' Leeds International Jazz Conference 2004

Research Funding

Nigel is a contributor to: 'EROS: Emotion Regulation of Others and Self'

Membership of Professional Organisations

• Musicians Union
• PRS
• International Trumpet Guild

Further information 

• www.myspace.com/nigelbeerquintet