Role

:

Conductor  

Birth

:

1954 in Iowa

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Avant-Garde

 

 

Chamber

 

Steven Schick is a renowned percussionist, conductor, and educator who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. Born on March 29, 1953, in Iowa City, Iowa, Schick grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a singer. Schick started playing the drums at the age of 10 and quickly developed a passion for percussion instruments. Schick attended the University of Iowa, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in percussion performance. He then went on to study at the Juilliard School in New York City, where he received a Master of Music degree in percussion performance. During his time at Juilliard, Schick studied with some of the most prominent percussionists of the time, including Saul Goodman, Morris Lang, and Roland Kohloff. After completing his studies, Schick began his career as a percussionist, performing with various orchestras and ensembles. He quickly gained a reputation as a virtuoso performer, known for his technical skill and musical sensitivity. In 1983, he joined the percussion faculty at the University of California, San Diego, where he has been a professor ever since. Throughout his career, Schick has been a champion of contemporary music, commissioning and premiering numerous works by some of the most important composers of our time. He has worked closely with composers such as John Luther Adams, Kaija Saariaho, and Steve Reich, and has premiered works by many others. One of Schick's most significant achievements was his tenure as the music director of the La Jolla Symphony and Chorus from 2007 to 2017. During his tenure, he led the orchestra in numerous performances of contemporary works, as well as classics from the orchestral repertoire. He also commissioned and premiered several new works, including John Luther Adams' "Become Ocean," which went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2014. Schick has also been a prolific recording artist, with over 50 recordings to his name. He has recorded works by composers such as Iannis Xenakis, Karlheinz Stockhausen, and Morton Feldman, as well as his own compositions. His recordings have received critical acclaim and have won several awards, including a Grammy Award for Best Chamber Music Performance in 2013. In addition to his work as a performer and conductor, Schick is also a respected educator. He has taught at numerous institutions, including the Manhattan School of Music, the Eastman School of Music, and the Royal Conservatory of The Hague. He has also been a guest lecturer and performer at universities and music festivals around the world. Schick's contributions to the world of classical music have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In 2014, he was awarded the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship, also known as the "genius grant," for his contributions to contemporary music. He has also been awarded the Siemens Music Prize, the ASCAP Concert Music Award, and the Percussive Arts Society Lifetime Achievement Award, among others. In conclusion, Steven Schick is a highly accomplished percussionist, conductor, and educator who has made significant contributions to the world of classical music. His virtuosity as a performer, his commitment to contemporary music, and his dedication to education have earned him a place among the most important figures in the field. His legacy will continue to inspire and influence generations of musicians to come.

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