About
Spencer Jensen is a double bassist and educator who is engaged in a diversity of musical styles and creative endeavors. As an orchestral bassist, Spencer Jensen has performed with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, South Carolina Philharmonic, Ballet West Orchestra, Charleston Symphony, Aiken Symphony, and the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes. Spencer has performed as an orchestral musician on film soundtracks and several albums including Welsh vocalist Bryn Terfel’s album, Homeward Bound, recorded on the Deutsche Grammophon label. As a chamber musician, Spencer performed Stravinsky’s Soldier’s Tale as part of the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes Chamber Music Series.
Spencer’s solo engagements include performing Jan Baptist Vanhal's Concerto for Double Bass with the Brigham Young University Symphony Orchestra, performing Giovanni Bottesini's Concerto for Double Bass no. 2 in B minor with the Palmetto Chamber Orchestra and performing Camille Saint-Saëns' "The Swan" from Carnival of the Animals with Ensemble Eclectica. He has also performed recitals in Utah, New York, and South Carolina. Spencer’s recitals often featured his own compositions and arrangements, and his most recent Doctoral degree recitals have included arrangements of music from American and Scottish fiddle traditions. Spencer remains active as a jazz and bluegrass/folk bassist, having freelanced, performed, and recorded as a band member in these genres.
Some of Spencer's accomplishments include winning the Brigham Young University concerto competition, 1st place in the double bass category of the National Federation of Music Clubs Biennial Awards, 3rd place in the Utah American String Teachers Association Solo competition, and 1st place in the instrumental division of the Utah Composers Guild composition competition.
Dedicated to music education, Spencer has operated a private bass studio for over 13 years where he taught students of various ages and skill levels. Additionally, He has taught double bass, bass guitar, and violin lessons for community music schools in Columbia, South Carolina. Spencer has substitute taught various subjects including instrumental music classes for Rochester, New York and Columbia, South Carolina area school districts, and has been a visiting artist and clinician for schools in Utah, New York, and South Carolina.
In 2017, Spencer discovered a passion for working with stringed instrument bows and learned bow rehairing, repair, and making at the Violin Craftsmanship Institute studying with Lynn Hannings and studying privately with Jim Greer. He runs his bow own repair service, Jensen Bows, in addition to his performing and teaching.
Spencer received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Music Performance from the University of South Carolina, his Master's of Music degree in Double Bass Performance and Orchestral Studies Diploma from the Eastman School of Music, and his Bachelor's of Music degree in Double Bass Performance from Brigham Young University. His teachers include Craig Butterfield, James VanDemark, Eric Hansen, Thomas Zera, Brian Jones, and Jim Sowards.