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Composer  

 

Gene Koshinski was born on August 22, 1980, in Binghamton, New York. He grew up in a musical family, with both of his parents being music educators. Koshinski began playing the drums at a young age and quickly developed a passion for percussion. He attended the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Percussion Performance. He then went on to earn a Master of Music degree in Percussion Performance from the University of Michigan. Koshinski's compositions are known for their innovative use of percussion instruments and their incorporation of non-Western musical traditions. One of his most famous works is "Concerto for Marimba and Wind Ensemble," which was commissioned by the University of Minnesota Wind Ensemble in 2007. The piece features a solo marimba and draws on influences from African and Latin American music. Another notable work by Koshinski is "As One," a percussion quartet that was commissioned by the Percussive Arts Society in 2011. The piece is a tribute to the victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks and features four percussionists playing a variety of instruments, including marimbas, vibraphones, and drums. Koshinski's compositions have been performed by orchestras and ensembles around the world, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. He has also been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Award and the Percussive Arts Society Composition Contest. In addition to his work as a composer, Koshinski is also a sought-after performer and educator. He has given masterclasses and clinics at universities and music schools throughout the United States and has served as a faculty member at the University of Minnesota and the University of Oklahoma. Tragically, Koshinski passed away on May 28, 2021, at the age of 40. His contributions to the world of classical music will be remembered for years to come, and his innovative approach to percussion composition will continue to inspire future generations of musicians.

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