Role

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Composer Performer

Birth

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February 22, 1928 in Parkersburg, WV

 

Paul Dooley is a contemporary American composer who has made a name for himself in the world of classical music. Born on December 3, 1983, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Dooley grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a classical pianist. From a young age, Dooley was exposed to a wide variety of music, and he quickly developed a passion for composition. Dooley began his formal music education at the University of Michigan, where he studied composition with Michael Daugherty and Bright Sheng. He went on to earn a Master of Music degree from the University of Southern California, where he studied with Donald Crockett and Stephen Hartke. Dooley also spent time studying at the Aspen Music Festival and School, where he worked with composers such as Christopher Rouse and George Tsontakis. Throughout his career, Dooley has received numerous awards and honors for his compositions. In 2009, he was awarded the Charles Ives Scholarship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. He has also been the recipient of the ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Award, the BMI Student Composer Award, and the New York Youth Symphony First Music Commission. Dooley's compositions are known for their intricate harmonies, rhythmic complexity, and emotional depth. He draws inspiration from a wide range of sources, including literature, visual art, and the natural world. Some of his most notable works include "Masks and Machines," a concerto for percussion and orchestra, "Night Songs," a song cycle for soprano and chamber ensemble, and "Sonata for Violin and Piano." One of Dooley's most celebrated works is his "Mass for the Endangered," which was commissioned by the University of Michigan Men's Glee Club in 2017. The piece is a setting of the traditional Latin Mass text, but with a twist: each movement is dedicated to a different endangered species. The work is a powerful statement on the importance of conservation and environmentalism, and it has been performed by choirs around the world. Another notable work by Dooley is his "Veiled Autumn," a piece for orchestra that was commissioned by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in 2015. The work is a meditation on the changing of the seasons, and it features lush harmonies and intricate textures. The piece has been praised for its evocative imagery and emotional depth. In addition to his work as a composer, Dooley is also an active educator. He has taught composition at the University of Michigan, the University of Southern California, and the University of Texas at Austin. He is known for his innovative teaching methods, which emphasize collaboration and experimentation. Overall, Paul Dooley is a composer who is making a significant impact on the world of classical music. His works are known for their emotional depth, technical virtuosity, and innovative approach to form and structure. As he continues to compose and teach, it is clear that Dooley will be a major force in the world of music for years to come.

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