Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Birth

:

1964

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Concerto

 

Richard Auldon Clark was an American conductor, composer, and music educator who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. He was born on October 29, 1953, in New York City, and grew up in a family that valued music. His father was a jazz musician, and his mother was a singer, which exposed him to different genres of music from an early age. Clark began his musical journey by learning to play the piano at the age of six. He later learned to play the trumpet and the French horn, which he played in his high school band. He attended the Manhattan School of Music, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition and conducting. He continued his studies at the Juilliard School, where he earned a Master of Music degree in conducting. Clark's career as a conductor began in the early 1980s when he founded the Manhattan Chamber Orchestra. He served as the orchestra's music director and conductor for over 20 years, during which time he led the ensemble in numerous performances and recordings. He also served as the music director of the Queens Symphony Orchestra and the Long Island Philharmonic. Clark was known for his innovative programming, which often included works by contemporary composers alongside more traditional repertoire. He was a champion of American music and frequently programmed works by American composers. He also collaborated with many living composers, including John Corigliano, Joan Tower, and William Bolcom, to premiere new works. Clark was a prolific composer, with over 100 works to his name. His compositions ranged from orchestral works to chamber music and vocal music. He was particularly interested in writing music for the voice and composed several operas and choral works. His music was performed by many ensembles, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Pops, and the London Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his work as a conductor and composer, Clark was also a dedicated music educator. He taught at several institutions, including the Manhattan School of Music, the Juilliard School, and the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College. He was also a frequent guest conductor and lecturer at universities and music festivals around the world. Clark's career was marked by many highlights and achievements. In 1991, he received the ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Award for his composition "The River Within." He also received the Aaron Copland Award in 1993 and the American Academy of Arts and Letters Music Award in 1995. In 2001, he was awarded the Ditson Conductor's Award, which recognizes conductors who have made significant contributions to American music. One of Clark's most significant achievements was his work as the conductor and music director of the New York Treble Singers. The ensemble was founded in 1983 and was dedicated to performing music for treble voices. Under Clark's leadership, the ensemble gained national recognition and performed at many prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. The ensemble also recorded several albums, including "A Ceremony of Carols" by Benjamin Britten, which won a Grammy Award in 1994. Clark's career was tragically cut short when he passed away on March 10, 2018, at the age of 64. His contributions to the world of classical music were significant, and his legacy lives on through his compositions, recordings, and the many musicians he inspired and taught.

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