Nathan Sickmeier is a sought after multi-instrumentalist and composer, currently performing as a freelance musician throughout the St. Louis and metro areas. He studied Music Education and Music Composition at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville (SIUE).

 

Nathan got his first drumset at the age of 3, and by the age of 5 was sitting in on drums with his father's rock bands. Around the same age, he began learning to play guitar from his dad, playing bass guitar, and studying piano. In 4th grade, he joined the school orchestra program and added violin to his list of instruments. Studying primarily Suzuki method with James Mueller and Elizabeth Jankowski, he went on to be the Concertmaster of the Alton Youth Symphony & Alton High School orchestra, was an ILMEA All-State participant for multiple years, and performed with the Alton Symphony on violin and viola.

 

Wanting to also join the school band program in 6th grade as a drummer, Nathan was told that if he wanted to be in band that he'd have to learn to play trumpet. So, he did! Nathan went on to be the trumpet section leader of the Alton High School Symphonic Band and the Alton Marching 100, as well as a member of the AHS Jazz Band and Alton Municipal Band. Mr. Sickmeier won the Louis Armstrong Award for Jazz, the John Phillip Sousa Award for Band, and the Arion Award for Band, where he performed a trumpet solo (his own composition) with the band. Nathan received multiple scholarships to attend school at SIUE, with trumpet being his primary instrument. There, he studied with Dr. John Korak, performed with the SIUE Symphonic Band, and also joined the Concert Jazz Band under the direction of Brett Stamps (Stan Kenton Orechestra) and Reggie Thomas (Count Basie Orchestra).

 

After his time at SIUE, Nathan has performed all over the United States and in Canada, sharing the bill with a number of artists including The Band Perry, Koe Wetzel, Eddie Money, Shooting Star, and Devon Allman to name a few. In addition to performing, recording, & songwriting, Mr. Sickmeier composes and arranges music for marching band, and writes marching band drill for award winning bands in IL, MO, and TN.

 

Nathan has taught privately on a plethora of instruments for over 25 years, and also currently teaches marching band for Wesclin High School in Trenton-New Baden, IL. He has previously taught music in the Waterloo School District, orchestra at East Middle School in the Alton School District, music at both St. Ambrose and Children's Tribe Montessori in Godfrey, IL, as well as marching band in Alton, Belleville, and Waterloo, IL.