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Composer

Birth

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1966

 

Stephen Lias is a contemporary American composer who has made a name for himself in the world of classical music. Born on January 28, 1966, in New York City, Lias grew up in various parts of the United States, including Texas, Colorado, and Alaska. His early exposure to the natural beauty of these regions would later become a major influence on his music. Lias began his musical education at an early age, studying piano and trumpet in elementary school. He later took up the French horn and played in various school bands and orchestras. In high school, he became interested in composition and began writing his own music. He went on to study music at the University of Colorado, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition. After completing his undergraduate studies, Lias continued his education at the Eastman School of Music, where he earned a Master of Music degree in composition. He then went on to earn a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in composition from the University of Michigan. Throughout his career, Lias has been inspired by the natural world, and many of his compositions are inspired by specific landscapes or natural phenomena. For example, his piece "Gates of the Arctic" was inspired by a trip he took to the Gates of the Arctic National Park in Alaska. The piece features a solo cello and a small ensemble, and it captures the stark beauty and isolation of the Arctic landscape. Another notable work by Lias is "All the Songs that Nature Sings," which was commissioned by the National Park Service to celebrate the centennial of the National Park System. The piece is a suite of five movements, each inspired by a different national park. The movements include "The Grand Canyon," "Acadia," "Yellowstone," "Glacier Bay," and "Everglades." Each movement captures the unique beauty and character of the park it represents, and the piece as a whole is a celebration of the natural wonders of the United States. In addition to his work as a composer, Lias is also a professor of music at Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas. He has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the American Prize in Composition and the Barlow Endowment for Music Composition. He has also been a resident composer at various institutions, including the Banff Centre for the Arts in Canada and the Hambidge Center for Creative Arts and Sciences in Georgia. Lias's music is characterized by its lyricism, its use of folk melodies and rhythms, and its evocative depictions of the natural world. His compositions often feature solo instruments or small ensembles, and they are frequently inspired by specific landscapes or natural phenomena. His work has been performed by orchestras and ensembles around the world, and he is widely regarded as one of the leading composers of his generation. In conclusion, Stephen Lias is a contemporary American composer who has made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. His music is characterized by its lyricism, its use of folk melodies and rhythms, and its evocative depictions of the natural world. He has received numerous awards and honors for his work, and his compositions have been performed by orchestras and ensembles around the world. Lias's music is a testament to the power of nature to inspire and uplift the human spirit, and it is sure to continue to captivate audiences for generations to come.

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