MEET NICK FANNER

Nick Fanner has spent his musical life in Saskatchewan, picking up the trumpet in a rural band program in grade 5. His passion for music grew steadily, leading him to the University of Saskatchewan where he completed his B. Mus (Mus Ed), leading to a 31-year career teaching elementary and secondary band in Saskatoon. His desire to write a jazz studies curriculum for high school students led him to resume his studies, completing his M. Ed. in 2000 at USask on a path that included studying advanced jazz pedagogy and other courses in the jazz area at McGill University. Upon completion, he taught the Jazz 20L course for many years.

As a sessional instructor at USask, Nick has taught Jazz Pedagogy, Brass Techniques (trumpet), Jazz History and Instrumental Music Teaching in the Secondary School. He has been on the faculty of the USask / Sask Jazz Festival’s Jazz Intensive program since 2022, the USask High School Select Jazz program, and (since 2002) the Prairelands Jazz Camp in Regina.

In 2017 Nick founded the Saskatoon Youth Jazz Orchestra which he continues to direct. He enjoys the opportunity to perform with the Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra, (Dean McNeill – artistic director). Nick is honored to have been the recipient of the 2022 Saskatchewan Jazz Festival Special Recognition Award for his contribution to Saskatchewan’s music culture.

On Monday evenings, Mr. Fanner can be found on the podium conducting the Wind Ensemble within the Saskatoon Community Bands organization. He was named the Saskatchewan Band Association’s Distinguished Band Director in 2019 for his contribution to band in Saskatchewan.