Role

:

Composer  

Birth

:

1964

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Mark Engebretson is a contemporary classical music composer who was born on August 15, 1964, in Fargo, North Dakota. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a church organist and his mother a pianist. Engebretson began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the trumpet and French horn. He attended Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition and trumpet performance. After completing his undergraduate studies, Engebretson went on to earn a Master of Music degree in composition from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He then pursued a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in composition from the University of Michigan, where he studied with William Bolcom and Leslie Bassett. Engebretson's compositions are known for their innovative use of technology and their incorporation of non-traditional instruments and sounds. He has written works for a variety of ensembles, including orchestra, chamber groups, and solo performers. Some of his most notable works include "The Persistence of Past Chemistries," a piece for orchestra and electronics that was commissioned by the American Composers Orchestra, and "Fractured Mirrors," a work for saxophone quartet and electronics that was commissioned by the Raschèr Saxophone Quartet. Engebretson has also collaborated with a number of other artists, including choreographers, visual artists, and poets. He has written music for dance performances, multimedia installations, and poetry readings. One of his most notable collaborations was with the poet Dana Gioia, with whom he created "The Lost Son," a song cycle for baritone and piano that was based on Gioia's poetry. In addition to his work as a composer, Engebretson is also an accomplished educator. He has taught at a number of universities, including the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, the University of Florida, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is currently a professor of composition and electronic music at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Engebretson's music has been performed by a number of prominent ensembles and performers, including the American Composers Orchestra, the Raschèr Saxophone Quartet, the Arditti Quartet, and the New York New Music Ensemble. He has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the American Music Center. Overall, Mark Engebretson is a highly respected and innovative composer who has made significant contributions to the world of contemporary classical music. His use of technology and incorporation of non-traditional sounds and instruments have helped to push the boundaries of what is possible in classical music, and his collaborations with other artists have resulted in some truly unique and memorable works. As an educator, he has also helped to inspire and mentor the next generation of composers, ensuring that his legacy will continue to be felt for years to come.

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