Role

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Composer Conductor

Genre

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Orchestral

 

Michael Pratt is a renowned conductor and music educator who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on August 22, 1952, in New York City, Pratt grew up in a family that valued music and the arts. His father was a jazz musician, and his mother was a painter. From a young age, Pratt showed a keen interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. Pratt attended the High School of Music and Art in New York City, where he studied piano and composition. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music and a Master of Music degree from the Juilliard School. During his time at Juilliard, Pratt studied conducting with Otto-Werner Mueller and was mentored by Leonard Bernstein. After completing his studies, Pratt began his career as a conductor, working with various orchestras and ensembles. In 1980, he founded the New Orchestra of Westchester, which he led as music director for 25 years. Under his leadership, the orchestra gained a reputation for innovative programming and high-quality performances. In addition to his work with the New Orchestra of Westchester, Pratt has conducted numerous other orchestras and ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra. He has also conducted opera productions at the Metropolitan Opera, the New York City Opera, and the Santa Fe Opera. Pratt is also a dedicated music educator and has held teaching positions at several institutions, including the University of Michigan, the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and the Manhattan School of Music. He is currently the director of orchestral activities at the Princeton University Department of Music. Throughout his career, Pratt has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. In 1999, he was awarded the Ditson Conductor's Award, which recognizes conductors who have made significant contributions to American music. He has also received the American Symphony Orchestra League's John S. Edwards Award for Strongest Commitment to New American Music and the ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming of Contemporary Music. One of the highlights of Pratt's career was his performance at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. He conducted the Utah Symphony Orchestra in a performance of Aaron Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man" during the opening ceremony of the games. The performance was widely praised for its energy and excitement and helped to showcase Pratt's talents to a global audience. Another notable performance by Pratt was his 2010 collaboration with the Kronos Quartet at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. The performance featured works by contemporary composers such as Steve Reich, Terry Riley, and Philip Glass and was praised for its innovative programming and high-quality performances. In addition to his work as a conductor and educator, Pratt is also a composer and arranger. He has written several works for orchestra, including "The Art of War," which was commissioned by the New Orchestra of Westchester in 2003. He has also arranged works by composers such as George Gershwin and Duke Ellington for orchestra. In conclusion, Michael Pratt is a highly respected conductor, educator, and composer who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music.

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