Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1979

 

Aaron Perrine is a contemporary classical music composer who was born in 1979 in Duluth, Minnesota. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a high school band director and his mother a choir director. Perrine began playing the trumpet at a young age and was involved in various musical ensembles throughout his childhood. Perrine attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition. He then went on to earn a Master of Music degree in composition from the University of Minnesota. During his time in college, Perrine studied under several notable composers, including Timothy Mahr, Libby Larsen, and Dominick Argento. Perrine's early works were heavily influenced by his background in wind band music, and he often composed pieces for wind ensembles. One of his earliest works, "Only Light," was commissioned by the St. Olaf Band and premiered in 2002. The piece features a hauntingly beautiful melody played by the trumpet, which is then echoed by the rest of the ensemble. In 2004, Perrine composed "A Glimpse of the Eternal," which was commissioned by the Minnesota Symphonic Winds. The piece is a tribute to the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and features a somber, reflective tone. The work has since been performed by numerous wind ensembles across the country. Perrine's compositions began to gain wider recognition in the early 2010s. In 2011, he was awarded the ASCAP Foundation Morton Gould Young Composer Award for his piece "Only Light." The following year, he was commissioned by the Minnesota Orchestra to compose a piece for their Young People's Concerts series. The resulting work, "The Composer is Dead," is a humorous and engaging introduction to the orchestra for young audiences. In 2013, Perrine was commissioned by the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America to compose a piece for their 70th anniversary celebration. The resulting work, "Tears of St. Lawrence," is a powerful and emotional tribute to the sacrifices made by members of the military. The piece has since been performed by numerous military bands across the country. Perrine's compositions continued to gain recognition in the years that followed. In 2016, he was awarded the American Bandmasters Association Sousa/Ostwald Award for his piece "Pale Blue on Deep." The following year, he was commissioned by the Minnesota Orchestra to compose a piece for their Symphony in 60 series. The resulting work, "Only Light," is a reimagining of Perrine's earlier composition of the same name. Perrine's compositions are known for their emotional depth and powerful melodies. He often draws inspiration from nature and the natural world, as well as from his own personal experiences. His works have been performed by numerous ensembles across the country, including the Minnesota Orchestra, the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America, and the St. Olaf Band. In addition to his work as a composer, Perrine is also an accomplished educator. He has taught composition and music theory at several colleges and universities, including Luther College and the University of Minnesota. He is currently a professor of music at Cornell College in Mount Vernon, Iowa. Overall, Aaron Perrine is a talented and accomplished composer whose works have gained widespread recognition in the contemporary classical music world. His emotional and powerful compositions continue to inspire and move audiences across the country.

More....