Jeff Held

Assistant Professor of Music

Director of Instrumental Activities

Chair, Performing and Visual Arts Division

Performing Arts Annex
949-214-3420
jeff.held@cui.edu | Blog

Teaching Areas

• Conductor, Concordia Wind Orchestra
• Conductor, Concordia Sinfonietta
• Coach, Concordia Brass
• Instrumental Methods
• Brass Techniques
• Orchestration
• Music and the Liberal Arts (online course)
• Experiences in Music (online course)

Degrees

• D.M.A. Music Education candidate – Boston University
• M.A. Arts and Letters – The American Band College (Southern Oregon University)
• B.A. Music – Valparaiso University
• Lutheran Teaching Certificate – Concordia University (Irvine, CA)

Jeff Held is the music director of both the Concordia Wind Orchestra and the Concordia Sinfonietta. He joined the faculty of Concordia University in 2005 and established most of the existing orchestral instrument program at the university. In 2011, he was named Chairman of the Performing and Visual Arts Division (Music, Theatre, and Art Departments) in addition to his duties as Director of Instrumental Activities. His teaching duties vary from semester to semester. He has taught music history, instrumental rehearsal techniques and repertoire, instrumentation and orchestration, music appreciation (online and classroom versions), brass techniques, and has coached chamber ensembles.

Prof. Held is a candidate for Doctor of Musical Arts at Boston University (estimated completion in 2012). His research interest is comparing learning atmospheres between large and small universities for music majors. He received his master's degree from The American Band College at Southern Oregon University and his undergraduate degree from Valparaiso University. His career began as band director and music department chairman at Orange Lutheran High School, where he established a prominent concert band, jazz band, and handbell ensemble. Highlight performances included concerts in the Sydney Opera House, Carnegie Hall, cathedrals of Germany, and the opening ceremony of the Nechita Center at Orange Lutheran High School. During his time at the high school, he also completed his Lutheran Teacher's Certification from Concordia University Irvine. Held is known nationally for his innovative hymn festivals with wind orchestra and voices, sacred-theme concerts, implementation of new music for wind band in worship, involvement with the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, and his work as a board member of Lutheran Music Program (which produces Lutheran Summer Music Academy and other music programs).