Role

:

Conductor

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Concerto

 

 

Orchestral

 

Mallory Thompson is a renowned conductor and music educator in the classical music world. Born in 1958 in New York, Thompson grew up in a musical family and began playing the trumpet at a young age. She attended the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in trumpet performance. She then went on to earn a Master of Music degree in conducting from Northwestern University. Thompson began her career as a music educator, teaching at several universities including the University of Michigan and the University of Miami. In 1992, she was appointed Director of Bands at Northwestern University, where she has been a faculty member ever since. Under her leadership, the Northwestern University Symphonic Wind Ensemble has become one of the most respected wind ensembles in the world. Thompson has also been a guest conductor for many professional ensembles, including the Dallas Wind Symphony, the United States Marine Band, and the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra. She has conducted at major venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the Sydney Opera House. One of Thompson's most notable performances was in 2005, when she conducted the Northwestern University Symphonic Wind Ensemble in a performance of John Corigliano's "Circus Maximus" at Carnegie Hall. The performance was hailed as a triumph, with The New York Times calling it "a stunning display of virtuosity and musicianship." Thompson has also received numerous awards and honors throughout her career. In 2015, she was awarded the prestigious Medal of Honor from the Midwest Clinic, the largest instrumental music education conference in the world. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to music education and the advancement of music in society. In addition to her work as a conductor and educator, Thompson is also a prolific arranger and composer. She has arranged music for wind ensembles, brass ensembles, and symphony orchestras, and has composed several original works for wind ensemble. Her compositions have been performed by ensembles around the world, and she has received commissions from organizations such as the United States Marine Band and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Thompson's contributions to the world of classical music have been significant and far-reaching. Her dedication to music education and her commitment to excellence in performance have inspired countless musicians and audiences around the world. She continues to be a leading figure in the classical music world, and her legacy will undoubtedly continue to influence generations of musicians to come.

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