»
Mr. Teren Shaffer
Adjunct Faculty
- Email:
- tshaffer@chapman.edu
- Education
- Chapman University, Bachelor of Music in Music Education
University of Cincinnati, Master of Music in Conducting
- Biography
Praised as an “Outstanding Arts Educator” by the Orange County Department of Education, Teren Shaffer currently serves as conductor of the Irvine Classical Players Seraphim Winds, music director and conductor of the Frederick Fennell Wind Ensemble at the Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA), associate conductor and general manager of the Orange County Youth Symphony Orchestra (OCYSO), and adjunct professor at the Chapman University Conservatory of Music. Additionally, Mr. Shaffer is the cover conductor for Sinfonia Gulf Coast in Florida and the co-founder of First & Grand Productions. A sought after adjudicator and clinician, Mr. Shaffer has served at numerous festivals in Southern California and most recently for the Spotlight Awards at The Music Center in Downtown Los Angeles.
While completing a master’s degree from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), Mr. Shaffer also served as cover conductor for the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra. He conducted an array of ensembles including CCM’s Philharmonia, Concert Orchestra, Ballet Orchestra and Café MoMus (CCM’s contemporary music ensemble). Furthermore, he led an acclaimed production of Janacek’s opera The Cunning Little Vixen with CCM’s Opera d’Arte, which was awarded third place in its division by the National Opera Association.
In addition to completing a master of music degree in orchestral conducting at CCM, Mr. Shaffer holds bachelor of music degrees in instrumental conducting, bassoon performance and music education from Chapman University’s Conservatory of Music. At Chapman, he developed a keen interest in conducting and pursued his studies with Daniel Alfred Wachs. During this time, he prepared members of the Pacific Symphony for a concert with the Chapman Chamber Orchestra as part of the American Composers Festival.
Mr. Shaffer has conducted the OCYSO at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa, California, in numerous Concerts for Fifth Graders, presented by the Philharmonic Society of Orange County. In addition, Mr. Shaffer served as a fellow with the Los Angeles Youth Orchestra. He has participated in a number of international summer music festivals and workshops, including CCM Spoleto in Italy, the Conductor’s Institute at Bard College Conservatory of Music, and the Conductor’s Retreat at Medomak.
Since taking over the helm of the Frederick Fennell Wind Ensemble at OCSA in 2011, Mr. Shaffer has led the ensemble to great success and recognition. After earning unanimous superior ratings in festivals, the ensemble went on to become a finalist in The American Prize for Wind Ensemble Performance. The 2011-2012 season also included a unique grant-underwritten performance of music by Grammy award winning composer, Michael Daugherty, who visited OCSA for a weeklong residency. In February 2013, the ensemble will be featured in a showcase performance at the California All-State Music Education Conference in Fresno, California.
The 2012-2013 season will include engagements with the Chapman Chamber Orchestra, Chapman Honor Band, Orange County Youth Symphony Orchestra, Irvine Classical Players Seraphim Winds, Frederick Fennell Wind Ensemble, Los Angeles Dream Orchestra, Sinfonia Gulf Coast, and OCSA’s Summer Wind Studies Festival Ensemble for which Mr. Shaffer is the Founder and Artistic Director. In October 2013, Mr. Shaffer will also collaborate with prolific composer, Fred Katz, to conduct a world premiere composition with faculty from Chapman University’s Conservatory of Music.