Hans Sturm, professor of double bass and jazz studies and area head for strings in the Glenn Korff School of Music, has received a Hixson-Lied Professorship.
The Hixson-Lied Professorship program recognizes the work of the most outstanding faculty in the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts. Created with support from the Hixson-Lied Endowment, Hixson-Lied Professorships are given to faculty who have demonstrated exceptional overall performance over an extended time frame and whose accomplishments have gained significant recognition beyond the university.
Sturm began teaching at Nebraska in 2011. He has performed as a soloist, chamber, orchestral, jazz and improvisational musician throughout Europe, Asia, South America, Australia, Africa and the United States.
Prior to his appointment to Nebraska, he was professor of double bass and jazz studies and coordinator of the string department for 17 years, and now Professor Emeritus, at Ball State University.
Inspired by his work with international artist-teacher François Rabbath, Sturm developed, designed and produced two state-of-the-art DVD projects, The Art of the Bow (2005) and The Art of the Left Hand (2010). Both DVDs employ the same advanced technology found in films to create a pedagogical method, incorporating 3D biomechanics animations with user-selectable camera angles, live performances, interviews and lecture-demonstrations.
Sturm has contributed performances and compositions to more than 50 recordings with artists including the Pro Arte String Quartet, soprano Mimmi Fulmer, vocalist Jackie Allen, synthesist/composer Joan Wildman, guitarists Scott Fields, Rolf Sturm, Dave Baney, Jeff Parker and Jack Grassel, trumpeters Bob Levy and David Young, and pianists Jane Reymolds and Marilyn Crispell.
In 2016, he released a new CD titled A Day in Paris. Joining him on the CD were Assistant Professor of Composition Tom Larson and pianist Sylvain Rabbath. The CD’s 12 tracks were recorded on a single day in Paris in 2012.
Sturm earned his doctorate from Northwestern University. He is past president of the International Society of Bassists and has served on the organization’s board of directors for more than 12 years. He has also served for six years as New Music Editor for the ISB’s journal Bass World.