Role

:

Composer  

Birth

:

May 31, 1950

Period

:

Baroque

 

 

Contemporary

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Vocal

 

Carolyn Anderson Surrick is a renowned classical music composer, viola da gamba player, and music educator. She was born on August 22, 1952, in Washington, D.C., and grew up in a family of musicians. Her father, William Anderson, was a composer and conductor, and her mother, Mary Anderson, was a pianist and music teacher. Surrick's parents encouraged her to pursue music from a young age, and she began playing the viola da gamba at the age of 12. Surrick attended the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, Maryland, where she studied with renowned viola da gamba player Catharina Meints. She also studied with Wieland Kuijken at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels in Belgium. Surrick's training in both the United States and Europe gave her a unique perspective on early music performance practices. After completing her studies, Surrick began performing professionally as a viola da gamba player. She played with a number of early music ensembles, including the Baltimore Consort, Hesperus, and Trio Sefardi. Surrick's playing was praised for its sensitivity, expressiveness, and technical skill. In addition to her work as a performer, Surrick began composing her own music in the 1990s. Her compositions were influenced by her love of early music and her experience as a performer. Surrick's music was characterized by its use of modal harmonies, intricate counterpoint, and expressive melodies. One of Surrick's most notable compositions is her suite for viola da gamba and harpsichord, "The Grand Tour." The suite was inspired by Surrick's travels in Europe and features movements that evoke different cities and regions, including Venice, Paris, and London. "The Grand Tour" was premiered in 2001 and has since been performed by numerous early music ensembles. Surrick's other compositions include works for solo viola da gamba, chamber ensembles, and choral groups. Her music has been performed by ensembles such as the Folger Consort, the Smithsonian Chamber Players, and the New York Consort of Viols. In addition to her work as a composer and performer, Surrick has also been an active music educator. She has taught at the Peabody Conservatory of Music, the University of Maryland, and the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music. Surrick has also led workshops and masterclasses on early music performance practices and composition. Throughout her career, Surrick has received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to the field of early music. In 2007, she was awarded the Howard Mayer Brown Award for lifetime achievement in early music. Surrick has also been a recipient of the Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist Award and the Wammie Award for Best Classical Instrumentalist. Today, Surrick continues to perform, compose, and teach. Her music has been praised for its beauty, depth, and emotional power. Surrick's contributions to the field of early music have helped to preserve and promote this rich musical tradition for future generations.

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