Nathaniel Harcar

Nathaniel Harcar is a 20-year-old composer, double bassist, and pianist from Streator, IL. A graduate of Streator High School, he completed a year of studies at IVCC before being accepted into UIUC as a Music Composition major. He has served as principal bassist in the Illinois Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra, co-principal bassist in the Chicago Youth Concert Orchestra and Chicago Youth Philharmonic Orchestra and principal bassist in the Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra.

Nathaniel studied double bass under Prof. Trevor Jones, piano under Anne Badger, and is currently studying composition under Dr. Mario Pelusi. He leads the jazz combo group II-V-I and serves as director of the newly formed Streator Community Jazz Band.

Nathaniel is also involved as a cantor and choir member at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, a double bassist and saxophonist in the Pontiac Municipal Band, and a bassist and pianist in the IVCC Jazz Band.

During his high school years, he achieved recognition as 2nd chair in the All-State Honors Band and 1st chair in the All-State Honors Orchestra for ILMEA, along with an honorable mention in the ILMEA Composition Competition's large ensemble category. Excited for his future at UIUC, Nathaniel looks forward to further pursuing a career in music.