Role

:

Composer  

Birth

:

February 14, 1946 in Pennsylvania

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

Barbara Harbach is a renowned classical music artist who has made significant contributions to the world of music as a composer, performer, and scholar. Born on October 20, 1946, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Harbach grew up in a family of musicians. Her father, John Harbach, was a professional violinist, and her mother, Virginia Harbach, was a pianist. Harbach began playing the piano at the age of four and later learned to play the violin and the organ. Harbach received her Bachelor of Music degree from Temple University in Philadelphia, where she studied piano and composition. She went on to earn her Master of Music degree in composition from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in composition from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. Throughout her career, Harbach has been recognized for her exceptional talent and contributions to the world of music. She has received numerous awards and honors, including the Missouri Arts Award for Excellence in the Arts, the Governor's Award for Excellence in Teaching, and the Distinguished Alumna Award from the University of Illinois. As a composer, Harbach has written over 200 works, including symphonies, concertos, chamber music, and choral music. Her compositions have been performed by orchestras and ensembles around the world, including the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, the Czech National Symphony Orchestra, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. In addition to her work as a composer, Harbach is also an accomplished performer. She has performed as a soloist and chamber musician on the piano, organ, and harpsichord, and has recorded numerous albums of classical music. Her recordings have received critical acclaim and have been featured on radio stations and music festivals around the world. Harbach is also a respected scholar and educator. She has written several books on music, including Women in Music: A Research and Information Guide and The Grove Dictionary of American Music. She has also taught at several universities, including the University of Missouri-St. Louis, where she served as the Chair of the Department of Music for over 20 years. Throughout her career, Harbach has been committed to promoting the work of women composers and musicians. She has founded several organizations dedicated to this cause, including the Women in the Arts Foundation and the International Women's Brass Conference. One of Harbach's most notable performances was her 2016 concert at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, where she performed on the organ for a crowd of over 2,000 people. The concert featured several of Harbach's own compositions, as well as works by other composers. Harbach's contributions to the world of music have been recognized by numerous organizations and institutions. In 2017, she was inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame, and in 2018, she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Missouri Arts Council. In conclusion, Barbara Harbach is a highly accomplished and respected classical music artist who has made significant contributions to the world of music as a composer, performer, and scholar. Her exceptional talent and dedication to promoting the work of women composers and musicians have earned her numerous awards and honors, and her music continues to inspire and delight audiences around the world.

More....