School of Music

Bio

Drummer Marc Widenhofer is an active performer and educator.  Having grown up in a musical home, he began performing at a very young age.  His early teachers include Brian Justison, Randy Reyman, Perry Rask and his father Steve Widenhofer.  These early mentors began performing publicly with Widenhofer when he was still in junior high school. 

While completing his Bachelor of Music in Commercial Music from Millikin University, Widenhofer performed as Principle Percussionist in the Wind Ensemble (2007-2008), drummer in Jazz Lab Band I (2005-2008) and OneVoice (2005-2009), Millikin University’s DownBeat award winning vocal jazz ensemble.  In 2007, Widenhofer toured the Dominican Republic with OneVoice and performed twice on Dominican National Television.  In 2009, Widenhofer won Millikin University’s highest award given to students in the jazz program, the Roger Schuler Award.  Widenhofer was also the winner of the 2008 Concerto/ Aria Competition which earned him a performance as a soloist with the Millikin Decatur Symphony Orchestra.

Following graduation from Millikin in 2009, Widenhofer pursued a Master of Music degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Northern Colorado.  While attending UNC, Widenhofer was the teaching assistant for the jazz history courses, helped maintain the extensive jazz library, and helped with the logistics of running the UNC/ Greeley Jazz Festival, the largest non-competitive jazz festival in the country.   Widenhofer also performed with UNC’s Sweet Basil Combo and Lab Band III under the direction of Erik Applegate.  Widenhofer has studied with Jim White, Erik Applegate, Steve Kovalcheck and Dana Landry.

As an educator, Widenhofer directed the University of Northern Colorado’s Blue Room Combo as well as co-directed UNC’s Lab Band V.  Widenhofer has worked as a student conductor for Millikin University’s award winning percussion ensembles.  In 2009, Widenhofer was the guest student conductor of the 3 O’Clock Percussion Ensemble and World Percussion Ensemble.  As a senior in high school, Widenhofer established, developed and directed the Lutheran School Association High School’s first large jazz ensemble and has taught private lessons since 2006.  Widenhofer is a member of the Jazz Education Network and Percussive Arts Society.

Widenhofer has most recently worked as a guest artist and clinician at the 2011 and 2012 Univeristy of Minnesota in Morris Summer Jazz Expereience.  He currently teaches at Lander University in Greenwood, SC; and the University of South Carolina in Aiken, SC.  He is also the drum set instructor at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, SC.

Widenhofer has shared the stage with Bert Ligon, Dave Pietro, Jon Faddis, Houston Person, Carol Dashiell, Jim Ferguson, Roger Pemberton, Fred Wesley and performed at the 2008 Percussive Arts Society International Convention.  In 2009, Widenhofer performed at the American Choral Directors Association Convention with legendary vocal jazz composer, arranger and educator Phil Mattson and the Phil Mattson Singers.

Widenhofer has earned the reputation as a versatile drummer having performed with many jazz, pop, rock and country bands throughout the Midwest and the greater Denver area.  Currently, Widenhofer performs regularly in Columbia, SC with the Bert Ligon Trio, Think Jazz Orchestra and many other local artists.