David Manson

Professor David Manson is a trombonist, educator, composer, community arts presenter and music technologist. A musician with diverse interests, he began his performance career with positions in the Florida West Coast Symphony Orchestra, Memphis Symphony Orchestra and extra work with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. He taught low brass and jazz studies at Indiana State University from 1983-89 before returning to Florida.

A versatile musician, he has been soloist and composer with New College New Music, BONK New Music Festival, Subtropics New Music Festival, Society of Composers and SEAMUS conferences. He has performed and recorded with Diego Figueiredo, Cecil Taylor, Sam Rivers, Mario Pavone, Eugene Chadbourne, John Lindberg, Davey Williams and other innovators. He toured with the Glenn Miller Orchestra and backed legendary artists including Burt Bacharach, A versatile musician, he has been soloist and composer with New College New Music, BONK New Music Festival, Subtropics New Music Festival, Society of Composers and SEAMUS conferences. He has performed and recorded with Diego Figueiredo, Cecil Taylor, Sam Rivers, Eugene Chadbourne, John Lindberg, Davey Williams and other innovators. He toured with the Glenn Miller Orchestra and backed legendary artists including Burt Bacharach, Henry Mancini, Tommy Tune, James Moody, Kevin Mahogany and others. He was trombonist and arranger for Bogus Pomp, an acclaimed Frank Zappa repertoire band with performances in Germany, the Buffalo Philharmonic and the Florida Orchestra. His 2002 recording “Fluid Motion” with jazz legend Sam Rivers, was selected by JazzTimes critic Duck Baker as his “vote for jazz record of the year.” He has produced ten recordings including “Radiant Forces”, “A Kiss for Rio”, “Fluid Motion”, “Infinita Bossa”, “Beast”, “Particle Zoo”, “Bedbugs”, “Visions” “Go!” and “Modern Music for Trombone”. Manson composes and performs with Brazilian group O Som Do Jazz and directs the Helios Jazz Orchestra, a resident ensemble at SPC.

Professional Accolades

• St. Petersburg Jazz Festival & Latin Jazz Fest – Founder
• EMIT – Director: bringing adventurous music and educational activities to the Tampa Bay area for 26 years
• Recording Arts Project (RAP) – Director: teaching Boys & Girls Club students recording arts
• CETL Distinguished Faculty Award
• Artist Fellowships in music composition from the Florida Arts Council (1999 & 2005) & Creative Pinellas (2017, 2021)
• Fulbright-Hays project in Turkey
• Artist-in-residence at the Sound Arts Workshop in Miami
• Composer-in-residence with the Moving Current Dance Collective and the federal education project Studiopeace
• Orchestral works have been performed by the Florida Orchestra, Pittsburgh Civic Orchestra and others.
• Original music has been placed in the HBO, Fox, CW, AMC, ABC and Showtime. 
• International Trombone Association Journal – published

SPC Successes

• A founding Professor of the Music Industry Recording Arts (MIRA) program
• Faculty: Jazz Band, Trombone, Tuba, Euphonium, Pro Tools, Music Technology, Composition, Improvisation
• Advocate for faculty rights and academic professionalism

Education

• Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music – DMA – Trombone Performance
• Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music – MA – Trombone Performance
• University of South Florida – BA – Music Education

Contact

• manson.david@spcollege.edu
• www.davidmanson.net

Study Music and Music Technology at SPC

Connect with our Music Department today! Complete the following survey questionnaire to learn more about our program and clarify your goals. You will receive a custom detailed email response with faculty, advising, and financial aid contacts, and guidance towards next steps. https://web.spcollege.edu/survey/30265

About Music at SPC

Music AA Transfer 

SPC’s Music and Music Education AA Transfer degrees (60 credits) are two-year programs that prepare students for transfer to University music programs in Performance, Music Education (Band, Chorus, Orchestra, General Music), and Music Therapy. Students earn Music State Common Perquisite credits in music lessons, music ensembles, music/aural theory, and student recital. Students also earn all 36 general education liberal arts credits.

Music Industry Recording Arts (MIRA) AS Degree 

SPC’s Music Industry Recording Arts (MIRA) AS degree (64 credits) is a two-year workforce program with technology focus. It prepares students to work as producers, audio engineers, composers/songwriters in the music industry. The core curriculum includes courses in digital audio workstations, live sound engineering, studio recording techniques, critical listening, legal issues in music, practical music business, and more.

Audio Engineering and Production (AUDIOPE) Certificate

SPC’s Audio Engineering and Production (AUDIOPE) Certificate (24 credits) is a financial aid eligible certificate that includes instruction in digital audio workstations, studio recording techniques, acoustics, live sound and professional audio production.  The stand-alone certificate prepares workforce internships and employment. The 24 credits also count towards the MIRA-AS degree.

Donation Opportunities

As a non-profit organization serving our community, charitable contributions are vital to our mission to educating students and engaging our community.  Your support makes performances, art shows, and concerts possible and provides invaluable experiences for our students.

Donations impact our music students by providing:
(1) Scholarships for bonus elective courses
(2) Loaner hardware/software kits to those in need
(3) Expansion of facilities

Those wishing to donate to SPC Music and SPC Humanities and Fine Arts should contact Department Chair Nathan Muehl muehl.nathan@spcollege.edu