Chadwick HimsI started piano lessons at the age of 5 with the Suzuki method but had many classical teachers growing up. Early on his father promised he would buy him a keyboard if he could learn Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata.”
Chadwick Himsl: It took me many years to learn this piece, but I eventually performed it at the Spokane Classical Music Festival. However, my nerves got the better of me and I forgot half the piece. Thankfully, my Dad bought me the keyboard anyway and turned a bad day into a good one. I picked up the now vintage Ensoniq SQ-80 synthesizer. Although old by today's standards, it actually had an effective and simple sequencer that gave me valuable experience recording multiple tracks and counter melodies. I didn't realize it then, but it was the perfect tool to learn composition.
Chadwick started to take up jazz in high school and fell in love with the music. He competed yearly in the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in various jazz bands and as an individual performer. Later he attended the Lionel Hampton School of Music where he studied classical piano and music composition for two years. While he was in a classical piano program, he continued to practice jazz and compete in the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.
Chadwick Himsl: It was a dream come true the day I took first place. Lionel Hampton himself signed my book. I was blessed to hear many great musicians there, including Dizzy Gillespie and the Ray Brown Trio. I also had the privilege of hearing Keiko Matsui from Japan, who I think encouraged my interest in other less standard forms of jazz and even new age music.
Despite having had some success in college as a pianist, Chadwick left the music program to pursue broadcasting. “Truth was I loved composing but rather disliked performing, Chadwick said. "I decided I needed something a little more practical to support my hobby. " While pursuing broadcasting at Washington State University, Chadwick worked part-time in college at an NPR affiliate station. It was there that he first heard Stephen Hill's Hearts of Space program. “I loved the way this music took me to another world, Chadwick said. “I am also grateful to NPR for exposing me to many types of new music.”
It would be many years before Chadwick would touch a piano again, but today he has returned to his first love. In his own words, “I like to think I needed this time in order to develop the life experience to have something to say through music.”
Thank you for your interest. If you are interested in purchasing or licensing my tracks for business or personal use, please visit https://www.cdbabylicensing.com/.
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Chadwick Himsl: It took me many years to learn this piece, but I eventually performed it at the Spokane Classical Music Festival. However, my nerves got the better of me and I forgot half the piece. Thankfully, my Dad bought me the keyboard anyway and turned a bad day into a good one. I picked up the now vintage Ensoniq SQ-80 synthesizer. Although old by today's standards, it actually had an effective and simple sequencer that gave me valuable experience recording multiple tracks and counter melodies. I didn't realize it then, but it was the perfect tool to learn composition.
Chadwick started to take up jazz in high school and fell in love with the music. He competed yearly in the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival in various jazz bands and as an individual performer. Later he attended the Lionel Hampton School of Music where he studied classical piano and music composition for two years. While he was in a classical piano program, he continued to practice jazz and compete in the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.
Chadwick Himsl: It was a dream come true the day I took first place. Lionel Hampton himself signed my book. I was blessed to hear many great musicians there, including Dizzy Gillespie and the Ray Brown Trio. I also had the privilege of hearing Keiko Matsui from Japan, who I think encouraged my interest in other less standard forms of jazz and even new age music.
Despite having had some success in college as a pianist, Chadwick left the music program to pursue broadcasting. “Truth was I loved composing but rather disliked performing, Chadwick said. "I decided I needed something a little more practical to support my hobby. " While pursuing broadcasting at Washington State University, Chadwick worked part-time in college at an NPR affiliate station. It was there that he first heard Stephen Hill's Hearts of Space program. “I loved the way this music took me to another world, Chadwick said. “I am also grateful to NPR for exposing me to many types of new music.”
It would be many years before Chadwick would touch a piano again, but today he has returned to his first love. In his own words, “I like to think I needed this time in order to develop the life experience to have something to say through music.”
Thank you for your interest. If you are interested in purchasing or licensing my tracks for business or personal use, please visit https://www.cdbabylicensing.com/.
Contact me