Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1968

Genre

:

Band

 

 

Chamber

 

Andrew Asher Boysen Jr. is an American composer and conductor, born on October 10, 1978, in Albany, New York. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a music educator and his mother a professional flutist. Boysen began playing the trumpet at a young age and later learned to play the piano and percussion instruments. Boysen attended the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education. He then went on to earn a Master of Music degree in Composition from the University of Michigan, where he studied with William Bolcom and Michael Daugherty. Boysen's compositions are known for their intricate harmonies, rhythmic complexity, and emotional depth. He has written works for a variety of ensembles, including wind band, orchestra, chamber groups, and choir. His music has been performed by some of the world's leading ensembles, including the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra, the United States Marine Band, and the Dallas Wind Symphony. One of Boysen's most well-known works is his Symphony No. 4, "Elements," which was commissioned by the United States Air Force Band and premiered in 2010. The symphony is divided into four movements, each representing one of the four elements: earth, air, water, and fire. The work is characterized by its use of complex rhythms and harmonies, as well as its evocative melodies and lush orchestration. Another notable work by Boysen is his Concerto for Trombone and Wind Ensemble, which was commissioned by the University of Texas at Austin and premiered in 2007. The concerto features virtuosic solo passages for the trombone, as well as intricate interplay between the soloist and the wind ensemble. The work has since become a staple of the trombone repertoire and has been performed by trombonists around the world. Boysen has also written a number of works for wind band, including his Symphony No. 1, "The Divine Comedy," which is based on Dante's epic poem of the same name. The symphony is divided into three movements, each representing one of the three parts of the poem: Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The work is notable for its use of programmatic elements, as well as its complex rhythms and harmonies. In addition to his work as a composer, Boysen is also an accomplished conductor. He has conducted a number of ensembles, including the Dallas Wind Symphony, the United States Air Force Band, and the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra. He is currently the Director of Bands at the University of New Hampshire, where he conducts the Wind Symphony and teaches courses in composition and conducting. Boysen's contributions to the world of classical music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 2015, he was awarded the prestigious American Bandmasters Association Sousa/Ostwald Award for his Symphony No. 4, "Elements." He has also been a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Music and has received commissions from a number of prominent ensembles and organizations. In conclusion, Andrew Asher Boysen Jr. is a highly respected composer and conductor whose works have been performed by some of the world's leading ensembles. His music is characterized by its intricate harmonies, rhythmic complexity, and emotional depth, and he has written works for a variety of ensembles, including wind band, orchestra, chamber groups, and choir.

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