Doug Bratt, ’01, M.M. ’02, found that NIU was more than his second act; it was the encore that brought his passion center stage.
His path to becoming a talented percussionist and a tenured professor at Moraine Valley Community College (MVCC), where he has led successful music ensembles over the past 23 years, was a sharp pivot from his initial career plan.
Bratt first earned a bachelor’s degree in American history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1992.
He then followed in the footsteps of his parents, both attorneys, and worked as a paralegal in Chicago for nearly four years.
With an extensive history of playing percussion in high school and college, Bratt was eager to find ways to join Chicago’s vibrant music scene.
“I auditioned often and jammed with great players, including, believe it or not, auditioning for what later became the 1990s indie rock band Veruca Salt, a gig I actually turned down!” Bratt said.
During the summer of 1995, he juggled working as a paralegal at the University of Chicago Medical Legal Affairs office from 6:30 a.m. to midafternoon and then joined the jazz quartet “Pier Pressure” at Navy Pier for an additional seven hours.
Working long hours on adrenaline and passion panned out. After the summer, the gig became a full-time, year-round job for the next two years and was steady enough that Bratt left his paralegal position entirely. The quartet also created a spin-off group that performed at local clubs and special events outside of the Pier.
“Through that intensive two-year stint of playing five to six days a week, I began to realize that I wanted to go back to school for a music degree,” Bratt said. “Several of the quartet members and many of our regular subs had attended music school and spoke about their experiences studying theory and composition, touring with legendary musicians, and learning a wide range of music styles. It was clear that there was so much more I wanted and needed to learn.”
Bratt had learned of NIU’s music program through a high school classmate, Chris Goode, ’93; his former percussion instructor, Bill Elliott, M.M. ’91; and Erik Leckrone, M.M. ’95, son of renowned University of Wisconsin Marching Band Director Mike Leckrone.
“Of course, the deeper I got into the Chicago music scene, I realized a high percentage of the busiest players were NIU graduates,” he said. “And everyone spoke very highly of the program.”
Doug Bratt turned his passion for percussion into a rewarding career. (Photo credit: Glenn Carpenter, Moraine Valley Community College)
Immersed in Education, On Stage With Legends
In 1997, ready to return to college, Bratt and his wife, Sarah Cauldwell Bratt, ’00, decided to move to DeKalb and both pursued their second bachelor’s degrees.
“I was a much more focused and productive student as a married 27-year-old with many experiences behind me,” Bratt said. “It was a bit strange being the oldest student by about nine or 10 years in most of my undergraduate classes, but I was fortunate to still make strong connections among my first-year colleagues. This experience is one I find myself sharing with our returning adult students at Moraine Valley, particularly when they might be feeling like they’re not fitting in.”
In 1998, Bratt earned a coveted spot in the NIU Jazz Ensemble.
“There were days I’d leave rehearsal wanting to chuck my drums into the Kishwaukee River, but I persisted and improved, encouraged by the opportunities to perform alongside some of the most iconic musicians in jazz,” he said.
According to Bratt, Professor Ronald Carter, then-director of the NIU Jazz Ensemble, booked guest artists such as saxophonists Benny Golson and Jimmy Heath; trombonist Curtis Fuller; and drummer Ed Thigpen for weeklong residencies and tours with the band. They performed at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago and the International Association of Jazz Education (IAJE) conference in New York City.
“I had an ‘out-of-body’ experience when trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis joined us at the IAJE,” Bratt said. “It was one of the best performances I ever had with the band, and we got a huge standing ovation at the end.”
The ensemble concluded the same year with a summer European tour, featuring Thigpen as their guest artist.
At NIU, Bratt significantly broadened his percussion skills. Under the guidance of professors Rich Holly and Robert Chappell, he explored a wide variety of styles and instruments—from fundamentals on snare drum to steel pan, Afro-Brazilian and West African drumming, among others. With percussion playing a role in nearly every genre, Bratt was frequently invited to perform in other students’ recitals, a demanding but rewarding experience that pushed him to grow as a musician.
Bratt performed in ensembles including the NIU All-University Jazz Band, NIU Lab Band, NIU Percussion Ensemble, and the NIU Steelband. He also performed in the percussion sections of the NIU Wind Symphony, NIU Wind Ensemble, and NIU Orchestra. With almost no concert percussion experience before coming to NIU, this was invaluable training for Bratt’s future career.
Doug Bratt is a freelance performer in the Chicago area and the Midwest. (Photo credit: Glenn Carpenter, Moraine Valley Community College)
Conducting the Classroom
Although Bratt described his performing experiences as life-changing, he believes that his graduate assistantship teaching MUSC 220 and co-directing the All-University Jazz Band provided him with the integral experience that led to his hiring at MVCC.
MUSC 220 was full—roughly 130 students—for all four semesters Bratt was teaching it. The course covered jazz history exclusively, which was a perfect combination of Bratt’s degrees in American history and music. Teaching developed his education principles and practices, giving him the confidence to build a lifelong career as a music educator. As co-director of NIU’s All-University Jazz Band, Bratt also gained his first ensemble-directing experience leading first- and second-year music majors along with a handful of talented non-music majors.
“I learned an enormous amount,” he said. “I learned how to choose music for a music ensemble that was both attainable and engaging, how to run an effective music rehearsal, how to manage personnel and personalities, and so much more.”
He also recognized NIU’s School of Music faculty for their guidance and excellence.
“The faculty, particularly in percussion and jazz, were some of the best teachers I ever encountered,” he said. “They weren’t only nationally and internationally known experts in their fields; they were top-notch educators who were and remain ideal examples for me as a music educator. Professor Joey Sellers, who was my faculty supervisor for MUSC 220, occasionally guest-taught the course. I loved his lectures, which focused on helping students become engaged, critical listeners. I still incorporate elements of his lectures into my own classes at Moraine Valley.”
Professor Carter was the one who awarded Bratt the graduate assistantships.
“He had a knack for knowing exactly how to provide the specific guidance and support his students needed. I think he saw potential in me to build a solid teaching career and gave me the tools in grad school to make that happen.”
A Career That Hits the High Notes
Today, Bratt remains grateful for his music education, which fuels his commitment to his students. Bratt directs the jazz ensemble, percussion ensemble, and concert band at MVCC. All three are open to both college students and community members. Building a music community across such a wide range of ages and life experiences is Bratt’s favorite part of his role.
Bratt also teaches applied percussion lessons to majors, non-majors and community members, as well as several online sections of Introduction to American Music. Serving as MVCC’s coordinator of academic music since 2010, he supports the hiring of part-time faculty, scheduling and staffing classes, developing new curriculum, managing student recitals and juries each semester, and overseeing equipment purchases.
Outside of his responsibilities at MVCC, Bratt is proud to have co-led an 18-piece ensemble with Doug Stone, ’03. Made up mainly of musicians connected with the NIU Jazz Program, the Stone Bratt Big Band played monthly on Chicago’s North Side for about two and a half years, including performances at well-known venues like the Green Mill and Reggie’s Music Joint. In 2008, they released their album “Stone Bratt Big Band.”
Bratt remains a freelance performer, often subbing in for other drummers. Since 2017, he has also played the drum set and percussion for the York High School Drama program in Elmhurst, Illinois.
“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work all over the Chicago area and Midwest, including performances at major Chicago venues such as the Jazz Showcase, FitzGerald’s Nightclub and Millennium Park,” he said. “Subbing in for drummers is really fun to do since it allows me to play a wide variety of music with a ton of different musicians. It’s also, I suppose, a nod to my sight-reading and listening skills since most of these performances do not include rehearsals!”
As a freelance educator, Bratt has been invited as a guest clinician at DePaul University, the University of Texas at Arlington, and the University of Missouri, among others.
Every fall, Bratt gathers with NIU percussion alumni at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. He credits his lasting NIU connections for countless opportunities.
“The lasting friendships I made with so many of my fellow NIU classmates have led to years of performance opportunities, teaching collaborations, and guest-artist engagements,” Bratt said. “I find myself drawing on that same network when hiring musicians, recommending people for gigs, or bringing in guest artists for Moraine Valley programs. The quality of NIU’s music program, stretching back more than 50 years, makes it a safe bet to work with a fellow NIU graduate even if I haven’t necessarily collaborated with them before.”
