Role

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Composer

Birth

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1958

 

David Hollinden is a contemporary American composer known for his innovative and expressive works that blend elements of classical, jazz, and rock music. Born in 1958 in St. Louis, Missouri, Hollinden showed an early interest in music and began playing the trumpet at the age of nine. He later switched to the guitar and bass, and began composing his own music while still in high school. After graduating from high school, Hollinden attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, where he studied composition with Thomas McKenney and jazz with John "Doc" Westhoff. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree in 1980 and went on to pursue graduate studies at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. There, he studied composition with William Bolcom and Leslie Bassett, and earned his Master of Music degree in 1982. Hollinden's early works were heavily influenced by jazz and rock music, and often featured unconventional instrumentation and extended techniques. One of his most notable early works is "The Big Bang," a piece for electric guitar, bass, drums, and synthesizer that was premiered in 1982. The piece features complex rhythms, intricate harmonies, and virtuosic solos, and showcases Hollinden's unique blend of jazz and rock influences. In the years that followed, Hollinden continued to explore new musical ideas and techniques, and his works began to incorporate more classical elements as well. One of his most significant works from this period is "Concerto for Bass Trombone and Orchestra," which was commissioned by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and premiered in 1990. The piece features a solo bass trombone accompanied by a full orchestra, and showcases Hollinden's skill at blending classical and jazz elements into a cohesive whole. Throughout his career, Hollinden has been recognized for his innovative and expressive compositions. He has received numerous awards and commissions, including grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Missouri Arts Council. His works have been performed by orchestras and ensembles around the world, and he has been a featured composer at festivals and conferences throughout the United States. In addition to his work as a composer, Hollinden has also been an active performer and educator. He has played guitar and bass in a variety of jazz and rock bands, and has taught composition and theory at several universities, including the University of Missouri, the University of Michigan, and the University of Minnesota. Today, David Hollinden is recognized as one of the most innovative and influential composers of his generation. His works continue to inspire and challenge musicians and audiences alike, and his unique blend of classical, jazz, and rock influences has helped to redefine the boundaries of contemporary music.

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