Douglas NimmoEmeriti

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Douglas Nimmo serves as conductor of the Gustavus Wind Orchestra. Additionally, he teaches conducting, instrumental methods, and supervises student music teachers. Under his leadership, the Gustavus Wind Orchestra has toured throughout the United States, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Germany, Austria, the Czech and Slovak Republics, Poland and Hungary. In January of 2014, the Gustavus Wind Orchestra returned to Eastern Europe, marking Nimmo's seventh international tour.

(In January of 2010, as the Gustavus Wind Orchestra was in preparation for its Tour to Eastern Europe, Dr. Nimmo was asked to offer some commentary about the forthcoming tour, his sixth international tour with GWO.  Click on this link to see the story, "Notes from the Conductor.")

In addition, the Gustavus Wind Orchestra has completed residencies with composers David Holsinger, Csaba Deák, Thomas Root, James Stephenson, and Swedish trombone virtuoso Christian Lindberg. While at Gustavus, Dr. Nimmo has designed the commissioning of several new compositions, including David Holsinger's magnum opus for wind band and voices, The Easter Symphony. The performance of The Easter Symphony by the Gustavus Wind Orchestra, Gustavus Choir, and Christ Chapel Choir is available on compact disc. The Spring of 2003 marked the premiere performance of a new work for the Gustavus Wind Orchestra written by internationally acclaimed composer Steve Heitzig, "Of Wind and Wood," to commemorate the Gustavus Wind Orchestra's 125th anniversary. To commemorate the GWO's 2006 return tour to Eastern Europe, David Gillingham was commissioned to compose a new work, resulting in the wonderful "Light of My Soul." In 2011, Gustavus commissioned composer James Stephenson to compose a new work as part of the College's 150th Celebration, and in the Spring of 2014, Gustavus commissioned two new works for the Gustavus Wind Orchestra:  "Roulette's Deception," composed by Jack Stamp, and "Cinema," (for wind orchestra and solo trumpet), composed by Steve Wright.  

Dr. Nimmo is a frequent guest conductor, a writer, and is a recipient of the Edgar M. Carlson Award for Distinguished Teaching at Gustavus Adolphus College. In 2011, he was inducted into the Society of Prometheans, an honor bestowed by the Fine Arts Division at his alma mater.  The award is given to individuals who have "demonstrated the passion, commitment, and talent to achieve excellence" in their profession and life. In December of 2013, he was honored by Gustavus when Raymond ’51 and Lorraine Lundquist of Golden Valley, Minn., established a new endowed professorship for the Gustavus Wind Orchestra in his honor, titled, "The Douglas Nimmo Professor for the Gustavus Wind Orchestra."

Dr. Nimmo holds degrees from the University of Minnesota--Duluth, Vandercook College of Music, and Arizona State University. His professional memberships include The American Bandmasters Association, Minnesota Band Directors Association, Phi Kappa Lamda, National Association for Music Education, Minnesota Music Educators Association, College Band Directors National Association, and Phi Beta Mu.

In addition to his academic endeavors, Dr. Nimmo is a passionate furniture builder. He and his wife, Virginia, have two daughters, Andrea and Beth.

Courses Taught