Role

:

Conductor

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Vocal

 

Bruce Ferden is a renowned conductor and composer in the world of classical music. Born on August 22, 1950, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Ferden showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of five. He later learned to play the trumpet and French horn, and by the time he was in high school, he was already conducting his own compositions. Ferden attended the University of Minnesota, where he studied music theory and composition. He also studied conducting with the renowned conductor Stanislaw Skrowaczewski. After completing his undergraduate degree, Ferden went on to earn a master's degree in conducting from the Juilliard School in New York City. Ferden's career as a conductor began in the early 1970s when he was appointed the assistant conductor of the Minnesota Orchestra. He quickly gained a reputation as a talented and innovative conductor, and in 1978, he was appointed the music director of the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra in Alaska. During his tenure with the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra, Ferden led the orchestra in numerous performances and recordings, including the world premiere recording of John Luther Adams' "In the White Silence." He also collaborated with the Alaska Native Heritage Center to create a series of concerts that combined classical music with traditional Native Alaskan music. In 1986, Ferden was appointed the music director of the Fresno Philharmonic in California. During his 10-year tenure with the orchestra, he led the orchestra in numerous performances and recordings, including the world premiere recording of Lou Harrison's "Symphony on G." He also collaborated with the Fresno Grand Opera to create a series of productions that combined opera and ballet. In 1996, Ferden was appointed the music director of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra in Canada. During his 10-year tenure with the orchestra, he led the orchestra in numerous performances and recordings, including the world premiere recording of Glenn Buhr's "Winter Poems." He also collaborated with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet to create a series of productions that combined ballet and contemporary music. Ferden has also served as a guest conductor with numerous orchestras around the world, including the New York Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic. He has also conducted at numerous music festivals, including the Tanglewood Music Festival, the Aspen Music Festival, and the Salzburg Festival. In addition to his work as a conductor, Ferden is also a prolific composer. His compositions have been performed by numerous orchestras around the world, including the Minnesota Orchestra, the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra, and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. He has also composed music for film and television, including the score for the documentary "The Last Stand: The Battle for Ball's Bluff." Ferden has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 1991, he was awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Minnesota. In 1997, he was awarded the Order of Manitoba, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a citizen of Manitoba. In 2001, he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal for his contributions to Canadian music. In conclusion, Bruce Ferden is a highly respected conductor and composer in the world of classical music.

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