Tristen Collinsworth

Tristen Collinsworth is a bassoonist, multi-woodwind specialist, and arranger who works to bridge the popular with the obscure. Originating from Tracy, California, he is studying to receive a Master of Music in music performance at Baylor University, studying with Dr. Ann Shoemaker, previously studying with Nicolasa Kuster. He is currently the Chief Orchestrator of Pacific Heavy Ensemble, a student-led group at University of the Pacific that combines a live orchestra and choir with a band to perform symphonic metal music.

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During his four years at University of the Pacific, Mr. Collinsworth stayed active within the group of talented musicians at the Conservatory of Music. He acted as the principal bassoonist for the University Symphony Orchestra and the first bassoonist for the renowned Symphonic Wind Ensemble, touring with the group in March 2019 to Stanford University and Carnegie Hall. As part of the chamber music program at Pacific, he performed in several small ensembles, including the student bassoon quartet. He also played with the student-led Pacific Heavy Ensemble and 28/78 New Music Ensemble, both of which he was a founding member of. In May 2019, Mr. Collinsworth gained his first professional experience, playing second bassoon with the Modesto Symphony Orchestra.

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Tristen Collinsworth will begin his two years at Baylor University in August 2021 as the graduate assistant for bassoon.

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Because of his love of playing multiple instruments, Tristen has found passion in performing in the pits of musicals on several woodwind instruments. He played with Pacific Opera’s performances of Brigadoon on bassoon, Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble’s performances of Man of La Mancha on clarinet and bassoon, and Tracy Repertory Theatre’s performances of Seussical the Musical on flute, clarinet, baritone saxophone, and bassoon.

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As an arranger, Mr. Collinsworth often writes music for his peers at University of the Pacific. As the Chief Orchestrator of Pacific Heavy Ensemble, he writes arrangements of scores provided by bands, transcribes scores by ear, and writes original orchestrations for existing songs, as well as creating original renditions of classical scores; this is all done while managing the rest of the orchestration team. He has also written arrangements for his chapter of Phi Mu Alpha and the soon-to-exist Pacific Pops Orchestra.

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In his free time, Tristen enjoys hiking, cooking, and composing music. He is also an member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity and Pi Kappa Lambda National Honors Society.  He lives in Waco, Texas, near the Baylor University campus.