Role

:

Composer Performer

Birth

:

September 24, 1934 in Waco, TX

Death

:

August, 1994 in Huntsville, TX

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Band

 

 

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

Fisher Tull was an American composer and educator who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. He was born on February 25, 1934, in Waco, Texas, and grew up in a musical family. His father was a band director, and his mother was a pianist. Tull began playing the trumpet at a young age and showed a natural talent for music. Tull attended Baylor University, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1955. He then went on to study at the University of North Texas, where he earned a Master of Music degree in 1956. While at North Texas, Tull studied composition with Merrill Ellis and trumpet with Don Jacoby. He also played in the university's concert band and symphony orchestra. After completing his studies, Tull served in the United States Army as a member of the 7th Army Symphony Orchestra in Stuttgart, Germany. He returned to the United States in 1959 and began his career as a composer and educator. Tull's compositions are known for their unique blend of traditional and contemporary styles. He was particularly interested in exploring the possibilities of wind instruments and wrote many works for wind ensemble, including his most famous piece, "Sketches on a Tudor Psalm." This piece, which was commissioned by the University of Houston, is a set of variations on the hymn tune "All People That on Earth Do Dwell." It has become a staple of the wind ensemble repertoire and is widely performed by ensembles around the world. In addition to his work for wind ensemble, Tull wrote many other works for various ensembles and solo instruments. Some of his notable compositions include "Concerto Grosso for Brass Quintet and Wind Ensemble," "Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble," and "Eight Profiles for Solo Trumpet." Tull's music is characterized by its rhythmic complexity, use of unconventional harmonies, and inventive use of instrumental color. Tull was also a respected educator and taught at several universities throughout his career. He began his teaching career at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, where he taught from 1959 to 1963. He then taught at the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette) from 1963 to 1966 before joining the faculty at the University of Kentucky in 1966. Tull remained at Kentucky for the rest of his career, serving as a professor of music and composer-in-residence until his death in 1994. Throughout his career, Tull received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the world of classical music. He was a recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Composer's Fellowship, the ASCAP Standard Award, and the Kappa Kappa Psi Distinguished Service to Music Medal. In 1993, he was inducted into the American Bandmasters Association. Fisher Tull's legacy as a composer and educator continues to be felt today. His music is still widely performed and studied, and his influence can be seen in the work of many contemporary composers. Tull's dedication to exploring the possibilities of wind instruments and his innovative approach to composition have made him a beloved figure in the world of classical music.

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