Role

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Composer  

Birth

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1972

 

Joseph Pereira is a renowned percussionist, composer, and conductor in the world of classical music. Born on August 23, 1971, in San Francisco, California, Pereira grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a jazz drummer, and his mother was a classical pianist. Pereira started playing the drums at the age of four and later switched to percussion instruments. Pereira attended the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he studied percussion with Jack Van Geem and composition with David Conte. He then went on to earn a Bachelor of Music degree from the Juilliard School, where he studied with Elden "Buster" Bailey and Morris Lang. Pereira also holds a Master of Music degree from the Yale School of Music, where he studied with Robert van Sice. Pereira's career as a percussionist began in 1995 when he joined the New York Philharmonic as a percussionist. He remained with the orchestra until 2004, during which time he performed in numerous concerts and recordings. In 2004, Pereira joined the Los Angeles Philharmonic as the principal timpanist, a position he still holds today. Pereira has also performed with other major orchestras, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. He has collaborated with many renowned conductors, including Gustavo Dudamel, Esa-Pekka Salonen, and Simon Rattle. In addition to his career as a percussionist, Pereira is also an accomplished composer. He has written works for various ensembles, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the New York Philharmonic, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. His compositions have been performed in major concert halls around the world, including Carnegie Hall and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. One of Pereira's most notable compositions is his percussion concerto, "Threshold," which was commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic and premiered in 2012. The concerto features a wide range of percussion instruments, including marimba, vibraphone, and timpani. The piece has been praised for its innovative use of percussion and its ability to showcase the virtuosity of the soloist. Pereira has also received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. In 2002, he was awarded the Avery Fisher Career Grant, which recognizes outstanding young musicians. He has also been a recipient of the Percussive Arts Society's International Soloist Competition and the Chamber Music America/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming. In addition to his work as a performer and composer, Pereira is also a dedicated educator. He has taught at the California Institute of the Arts and the Colburn School, and he currently serves as the chair of the percussion department at the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California. In conclusion, Joseph Pereira is a highly accomplished percussionist, composer, and conductor who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. His innovative compositions and virtuosic performances have earned him numerous awards and accolades, and his dedication to education ensures that his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of musicians.

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