Jason Tramm
{{Infobox musical artist
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Jason Tramm
| honorific_suffix =
| image = Jason Tramm Headshot.jpg
| image_upright =
| image_size =
| landscape = yes
| caption =
| background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| native_name =
| native_name_lang = ru
| birth_name = Jason Chris Tramm
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1974|12|29}}
| birth_place = {{nowrap|Nanuet, New York, U.S.}}
| origin =
| death_date = {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}}
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| genre = {{Flatlist|
| occupation = {{Flatlist|
- Musician
- Conductor
- Professor}}
| instrument =
| years_active = 2003–present
| label =
| website = {{URL|https://www.jasontramm.net/}}
}}
Jason Chris Tramm (born December 29, 1974) is an American music conductor and Director of Choral Activities at Seton Hall University.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-28 |title=Putnam Chorale Names New Conductor – The Current |url=https://highlandscurrent.org/2023/07/28/putnam-chorale-names-new-conductor/ |access-date=2024-05-09 }}{{Cite web |date=2023-11-24 |title=Interview With a Maestro Jason Tramm became conductor of the Putnam Chorale in July. |url=https://highlandscurrent.org/2023/11/24/interview-with-a-maestro/ |access-date=2024-05-09 }}
He currently holds the position of artistic director and Principal Conductor at MidAtlantic Opera, where he debuted at Carnegie Hall's Stern Auditorium in 2015, with a program titled A Prayer for Peace.{{Cite web |last=Nutt |first=Bill |title='Prayer for Peace' offered at Carnegie Hall Oct. 17 |url=https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/2015/10/10/prayer-peace-carnegie-hall/73367998/ |access-date=2024-05-09 |website=Courier News }}
He also currently resides as the executive director of the Light Opera of New Jersey, the music director of the Putnam Chorale, and music director of the Taghkanic Chorale{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Simone |title=Light Opera of New Jersey Names SHU Professor, Jason Tramm as New Executive Director – Seton Hall University |url=https://www.shu.edu/human-development-culture-media/news/jason-tramm-named-new-executive-director-for-lonj.html |access-date=2024-05-09 |website=www.shu.edu |language=en}}
His performance repertoire, featuring compositions by Bernstein, Vaughan Williams, and Saygun, received standing ovation, prompting plans for two annual performances at Carnegie Hall.{{Cite web |title=Seton Hall Chorus Performs in Bernstein's Candide – Seton Hall University |url=https://www.shu.edu/human-development-culture-media/news/seton-hall-chorus-performs-in-bernstein-candide.html |access-date=2024-05-09 |website=www.shu.edu }}
Previously, he served as the artistic director of the New Jersey State Opera from 2008 to 2012, collaborating with opera voices such as Samuel Ramey, Vladimir Galouzine, and Angela Brown.{{Cite web |title=Jason Tramm – Narnia Festival |url=https://www.narniafestival.com/en/team/jason-tramm/ |access-date=2024-05-09 }}
His work with the opera garnered regional Emmy Award recognition for the 2009 HDTV broadcast of "Verdi Requiem: Live from Ocean Grove" on PBS affiliate NJN.{{Cite web |title=Voices of COVID-19 – Jason Tramm {{!}} National Association of Teachers of Singing |url=https://www.nats.org/Voices_of_COVID-19_-_Jason_Tramm.html |access-date=2024-05-09 |website=www.nats.org }}
Early life and music education
Tramm was born on December 29, 1974, to Joan Anne Tramm (née Weininger) and John Carl Tramm in Nanuet, New York.{{cite web |last1=Necula |first1=Maria-Cristina |title=A Conductor's Perspective: Maestro Jason Tramm |url=https://www.womanaroundtown.com/sections/living-around/a-conductors-perspective-maestro-jason-tramm/ |website=Woman Around Town |date=22 May 2020}} His passion for music manifested at a young age when he sang as a soprano soloist at Saint Thomas Church in West Nyack, NY. Tramm's musical training encompassed various instruments, including voice, piano, and viola.
He pursued his formal music education at the Crane School and the Hartt School, earning degrees in music. Tramm furthered his studies in conducting, obtaining a doctoral degree from Rutgers University, where he was honored with the Presidential Fellowship.
Music career
Tramm's career extends to opera, symphonies, and choral masterworks, with performances taking place in Albania, Italy, Romania, Hungary and across the United States.{{Cite web |last=Kashkin |first=Eshter |title=Jason Tramm to Lead the New York Symphonic Arts Ensemble |url=https://www.tapinto.net/towns/soma/sections/arts-and-entertainment/articles/jason-tramm-to-lead-the-new-york-symphonic-arts-e-2 |website=TAPinto}}
During the summer months since 2008, Tramm has held the position of Director of Music in Residence at the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, he oversees choral, orchestral, and oratorio performances at the historic Great Auditorium (Ocean Grove, NJ), including the renowned Ocean Grove Choir Festival.{{Cite web |last=Musbach |first=Julie |title=Jason Tramm Leads 4th Annual Ocean Grove Choir Festival In Celebration Of Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/new-jersey/article/Jason-Tramm-Leads-4th-Annual-Ocean-Grove-Choir-Festival-In-Celebration-Of-Ocean-Grove-Camp-Meeting-Association-20180703 |access-date=2024-05-09 |website=BroadwayWorld.com }} He has also frequently conducted on the Summer Stars Classical Music Series, where he has collaborated with Gordon Turk, Organist.{{Cite web |last=SMITH |first=COURTNEY |date=2023-08-06 |title='Symphonic Decibels' orchestra/organ concert caps Summer Stars series in Ocean Grove |url=https://www.njarts.net/symphony-decibels-orchestra-organ-concert-caps-summer-stars-series-in-ocean-grove/ |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=NJArts.net |language=en-US}} Tramm has appeared on two National Public Radio broadcasts with organist Gordon Turk and a large orchestra.
Tramm has directed Coro Lirico, the 60-voice amateur chorus based in Morris County, for four years.{{Cite web |last=Cirelli-Heurich |first=Julie |date=2009-05-08 |title=Man about music travels the state |url=https://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/2009/05/man_about_music_travels_the_st.html |access-date=2024-05-09 |website=NJ.com }}
He curated a program at Seton Hall University to pay homage to his mentor, the late Alfredo Silipigni, a renowned conductor who had previously graced the Seton Hall stage. The event featured a new generation of opera talents participating in the Grand Finals Concert of the Alfredo Silipigni International Vocal Competition at the Jubilee Auditorium.{{Cite web |last=McGlone |first=Peggy |date=2013-02-21 |title=Artistic director of N.J. State Opera resigns from struggling company |url=https://www.nj.com/entertainment/music/2013/02/artistic_director_of_nj_state.html |access-date=2024-05-09 |website=NJ.com }}
Additionally, Tramm led the University Chamber Choir in a performance at the annual Evening of Roses fundraiser for the Sister Rose Thering Fund for Education in Jewish-Christian Studies.{{Cite web |date=2012-04-17 |title=Seton Hall Presents the 19th Evening of Roses on April 29 |url=https://patch.com/new-jersey/southorange/seton-hall-presents-the-19th-evening-of-roses |access-date=2024-05-09 |website=South Orange, NJ Patch }}
In 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic's disruption of live events, Tramm, along with his son Quinton Tramm, initiated the YouTube podcast Music Matters with Jason Tramm.{{Cite web |date=2022-09-12 |title=Meet Jason Tramm {{!}} Conductor and Professor – SHOUTOUT LA |url=https://shoutoutla.com/meet-jason-tramm-conductor-and-professor/ |access-date=2024-05-09 }}
In September, 2023 Tramm and pianist Kariné Poghosyan conducted the MidAtlantic Philharmonic Orchestra in a performance of Sergei Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2, Op. 18 and the Piano Concerto in D-flat Major, Op.38 of Aram Khachaturian in honor of their births.{{Cite web |last=Avakian |first=Florence |date=2023-10-04 |title=Concert held in remembrance of Armenian Independence Day and brave Artsakh |url=https://armenianweekly.com/2023/10/04/concert-held-in-remembrance-of-armenian-independence-day-and-brave-artsakh/ |access-date=2024-05-09 |website=The Armenian Weekly }} This performance took place at the St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral in Manhattan, NY{{Cite web |last=Avakian |first=Florence |date=2023-08-29 |title=Famed artists to debut at St. Vartan Cathedral |url=https://armenianweekly.com/2023/08/29/famed-artists-to-debut-at-st-vartan-cathedral/ |access-date=2024-05-16 |website=The Armenian Weekly |language=en-US}}
Tramm is known for his work at New Jersey State Opera, in 2006, mentored by Alfredo Silipigni. He assumed leadership of the company in 2008.
During his time he orchestrate the staging of Porgy and Bess at Newark Symphony Hall.{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Kenneth |title=Baker and Mitchell Are NJ State Opera's Porgy and Bess |url=https://playbill.com/article/baker-and-mitchell-are-nj-state-operas-porgy-and-bess-com-166015 |website=Playbill}} Recognizing the need to broaden the opera's audience base, Tramm strategically chose "Porgy and Bess" for its universal themes and crossover appeal.{{Cite web |last=Kenneth |first=Jones |title=Baker, Mitchell, Lynch, Brown and More Bring Porgy and Bess to Life in NJ Starting May 21 |url=https://playbill.com/article/baker-mitchell-lynch-brown-and-more-bring-porgy-and-bess-to-life-in-nj-starting-may-21-com-168627 |website=Playbill}}
= Pedagogy =
In addition to his conducting roles, Tramm is an accomplished educator and mentor, serving as Director of Choral and Orchestral Activities at Seton Hall University since 2011. He was named the 2017 University Faculty Teacher of the Year{{Cite web |last=Rubin |first=Sylvia |title=MusicalAmerica – Jason Tramm |url=https://www.musicalamerica.com/news/newsstory.cfm?storyid=39553&categoryid=5&archived=0 |access-date=2024-05-09 |website=www.musicalamerica.com}}
In 2003, he received the Rising Star Award from the SUNY Potsdam Alumni Association, joining artists like Renee Fleming and Stephanie Blythe.{{Cite web |title=Jason Tramm |url=https://am970theanswer.com/personality/jason-tramm |access-date=2024-05-09 |website=AM 970 The Answer |language=en}} He has conducted operatic and symphonic performances across Europe, including Italy, Romania, Albania, and Hungary, where he recorded an album of rare French operatic arias with the Szeged Symphony.
Tramm's performances have received critical acclaim from Symphony Magazine, which named him "Conductor to Watch," and the Huffington Post, which described him as filled with Italianate passion.
References
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External links
- {{Official website|https://www.jasontramm.net/}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tramm, Jason}}
Category:American male composers
Category:21st-century American composers
Category:American choral conductors
Category:American male conductors (music)
Category:Crane School of Music alumni
Category:Rutgers University alumni
Category:Musicians from New York (state)
Category:21st-century American conductors (music)
Category:21st-century American male musicians