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Alan Nielsen earned a B.A. in Applied Music from Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa, Idaho, and has been the bass clarinetist with the Boise Philharmonic since 1988. At NNC he studied with Michael Bankston and had a second major in International Studies.
While growing up in Oregon and Texas he studied all woodwinds, developing an early affinity for low woodwinds (bass clarinet, English horn, bassoon and baritone saxophone). It was nevertheless rather shocking when, after several years of "serious" study on oboe, he gravitated back to bass clarinet at the age of 22, after a seven year hiatus.
While most bass clarinetists double on other instruments, Alan has taken a different approach by appropriating other literature. Learning to transpose other clefs and keys on sight, he has done just that, performing Bach Cello Suites and the Mozart Bassoon Concerto, the latter as soloist with the Treasure Valley Concert Band and on tour with the NNC Concert Band.
In addition to his tenure with the Boise Philharmonic, Alan is the bass clarinetist with the Sun Valley Summer Symphony, and has been an adjunct professor of woodwinds at NNC.
When not performing, practicing, or teaching private lessons, he is busy as a board member of several organizations, and studies Danish.
