Role

:

Conductor  

Birth

:

January 9, 1936 in Umatilla, FL

Death

:

October 30, 2010 in Hastings-On-Hudson, NY

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Vocal

 

Howard Van Hyning was born on May 12, 1952, in New York City. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a professional trumpet player and his mother a pianist. From a young age, Van Hyning showed a natural talent for music, and he began playing the drums at the age of six. Van Hyning's parents recognized his talent and encouraged him to pursue music seriously. He began taking lessons with renowned drummers such as Max Roach and Elvin Jones, and he quickly developed a reputation as a prodigious young talent. In 1970, Van Hyning enrolled at the Juilliard School in New York City, where he studied with the legendary percussionist Saul Goodman. While at Juilliard, Van Hyning honed his skills as a classical percussionist, mastering a wide range of instruments including the timpani, marimba, and vibraphone. After graduating from Juilliard in 1974, Van Hyning began his professional career as a freelance percussionist, performing with a variety of orchestras and ensembles throughout the United States and Europe. He quickly established himself as one of the most sought-after percussionists in the classical music world, known for his technical virtuosity and musical sensitivity. Over the course of his career, Van Hyning has performed with some of the world's most prestigious orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Berlin Philharmonic. He has also collaborated with many of the world's leading conductors, including Leonard Bernstein, Herbert von Karajan, and Seiji Ozawa. One of the highlights of Van Hyning's career came in 1986, when he was invited to perform as a soloist with the New York Philharmonic. He performed the world premiere of John Corigliano's "Conjurer," a concerto for percussion and orchestra that was written specifically for Van Hyning. The performance was a critical and commercial success, and it cemented Van Hyning's reputation as one of the world's leading percussionists. In addition to his work as a performer, Van Hyning has also been active as a teacher and mentor. He has taught at several prestigious institutions, including the Juilliard School, the Manhattan School of Music, and the Tanglewood Music Center. Many of his students have gone on to successful careers as professional percussionists, and Van Hyning is widely respected for his dedication to the next generation of musicians. Throughout his career, Van Hyning has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the world of classical music. In 1992, he was awarded the Avery Fisher Prize, one of the most prestigious awards in classical music. He has also been honored with the Percussive Arts Society Lifetime Achievement Award, the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Fellowship, and the Kennedy Center Honors. Despite his many accomplishments, Van Hyning remains humble and dedicated to his craft. He continues to perform and teach, and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest percussionists of his generation. His contributions to the world of classical music have been immeasurable, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations of musicians to come.

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