Bill Bernatis
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Bill Bernatis

Professor Horn; Graduate Coordinator

Department(s)
Music

Biography

Bill Bernatis is currently professor of horn at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, associate director of the UNLV School of Music, principal horn with the Las Vegas Philharmonic, and assistant principal horn with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra in New York.

Prior to his coming to UNLV, Bill was professor of horn and orchestra director at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Texas; professor of horn at Baylor University in Waco, Texas; and at Ithaca College in Ithaca, New York. Bill’s performing background includes a wealth of orchestral and chamber music; including as principal horn with the Corpus Christi Symphony, the Waco Symphony, the San Angelo Symphony, the Breckenridge Music Institute, and the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra. He has also performed with the Seattle Symphony, Reno Philharmonic, Syracuse Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic, Sierra Winds, Boston Brass, Dallas Brass, Burning River Brass, Ithaca Brass, Ithaca Wind Quintet, Baylor Chamber Players, Baylor Brass Quintet, and the Texas Brass Ensemble.

Recently, Bill was asked to perform with the Utah Symphony on a Mahler cycle for a series of concerts that culminated in a recording of Symphony No. 8 with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Bill has recorded soundtracks for video games and motion pictures such as Eulogy, Step Up Revolution, and Mirror, Mirror.  Over the years, Bill has performed solo recitals, judged competitions, done studio recording, and held master classes around the country.  He has recorded for The Masters Symphonic Band Series and for Mode Records, and performed as a soloist with the Corpus Christi Symphony, Waco Symphony, Corpus Christi Chamber Orchestra, Dallas Wind Symphony, Victoria Bach Festival, Penfield Symphony, Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, Las Vegas Philharmonic, and the International Horn Society’s regional and international workshops.  Bill Bernatis "The Etude" is a recorded collection of annotated well-known virtuosic etudes that are available on Facebook and YouTube.  He is still active as a recitalist, clinician, and freelance performer.

Bill studied with John Iltis at Washburn University (BM), Philip Farkas at Indiana University (MM), and Bill Scharnberg at University of North Texas (Doctoral studies).