Bo Atlas
Lecturer, Tuba/EuphoniumArea of Focus: Brass
Bo Atlas teaches Tuba and Euphonium at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and is Principal Tubist with the Des Moines Symphony. He can also be found performing regularly with the Nebraska Brass Quintet, UNL Faculty Brass, and the Lincoln Municipal Band. His prior appointments include Lecturer at Truman State University as well as teaching positions at Grinnell College, Graceland University, and Simpson College. Atlas is also active as a freelance musician, performing with groups such as the Omaha Symphony, Lincoln Symphony, Kansas City Symphony, South Dakota Symphony, Kansas Brass Quintet, Blackhouse Improviser’s Collective, and Kansas City Brassworks.
Atlas is sought after as a soloist and chamber musician and has received many accolades for his solo work including recent premiere performances of Tyler White's new Tuba Concerto "Resilience" with the UNL Symphony Orchestra. Equally comfortable with Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, or Brass Band his solo work includes performances of Vaughan Williams’ Tuba Concerto with the Central Iowa Symphony, Michael Daugherty’s “Reflections on the Mississippi” with the Truman State Wind Symphony, and Paul-Lovatt Cooper's "Quicksilver" with the Free State Brass Band.
Mr. Atlas is also a strong proponent of the British Brass Band movement in the United States, having played both Eb and BBb Bass with the Fountain City Brass Band, and Eb Bass with the Tallgrass Brass Band. Other competition awards include having been a Semi-finalist at the International Tuba Euphonium Conference in 2010, Finalist at the Arapahoe Philharmonic Concerto Competition in 2011, winner of the University of Kansas Symphony Concerto Competition in 2012, winner of the Great Plains Regional Tuba Conference solo competition in 2009, and winner of the US Army Band Mock Audition in 2012.
Atlas is also a co-founder of the Des Moines Low Brass Triumvirate, where he performs with fellow members of the Des Moines Symphony’s Low Brass Section. The DMLBT aims to provide high quality musical performances to Iowa’s communities, and to reach and teach students throughout Iowa and the greater Midwest. The group has presented clinics and performances at the Iowa Music Educators Association Conference and the Great Plains Regional Tuba-Euphonium Conference, and hosts their own Low Brass Day events across the Midwest.
Atlas received a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Kansas, a Master’s Degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and is finishing a Doctoral Degree from the University of Iowa. Bo’s primary teachers include Tony Clements, Craig Fuller, John Manning, Sam Pilafian, Patrick Stuckemeyer, Peter Warhaftig, and Scott Watson.