Role

:

Composer  

 

Alyssa Morris is a contemporary classical music composer who was born on August 22, 1984, in San Diego, California. She grew up in a musical family, with her mother being a pianist and her father a trumpet player. Morris began playing the piano at the age of four and later learned to play the trumpet, which became her primary instrument. Morris attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Composition. She then went on to pursue a Master of Music in Composition at the University of Michigan, where she studied with Michael Daugherty and Evan Chambers. Morris also earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition from the University of Miami, where she studied with Dennis Kam and Lansing McLoskey. Morris's compositions have been performed by numerous ensembles and orchestras, including the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Minnesota Orchestra, and the United States Air Force Band. She has also been commissioned to write works for various organizations, such as the International Trumpet Guild and the American Composers Forum. One of Morris's most notable works is her trumpet concerto, "Four Personalities," which was commissioned by the International Trumpet Guild and premiered in 2013. The concerto is divided into four movements, each representing a different personality trait. The first movement, "Energetic," is fast-paced and lively, while the second movement, "Melancholic," is slow and mournful. The third movement, "Whimsical," is playful and lighthearted, and the final movement, "Aggressive," is intense and powerful. Another notable work by Morris is her chamber piece, "Four Personalities for Flute, Clarinet, and Piano," which is based on the same themes as her trumpet concerto. The piece was commissioned by the Society of Composers, Inc. and premiered in 2014. Like the concerto, the piece is divided into four movements, each representing a different personality trait. Morris's music is known for its use of unconventional techniques and sounds. She often incorporates extended techniques, such as multiphonics and flutter tonguing, into her compositions to create unique textures and timbres. Her music also frequently features complex rhythms and intricate harmonies. In addition to her work as a composer, Morris is also an educator. She has taught at several universities, including the University of Miami and the University of Texas at Arlington. Morris is currently an assistant professor of music at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Morris has received numerous awards and honors for her work as a composer, including the ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Award and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's Elaine Lebenbom Memorial Award. She has also been a finalist for the American Prize in Composition and the International Trumpet Guild's Composition Contest. Overall, Alyssa Morris is a talented and innovative composer who has made significant contributions to the world of contemporary classical music. Her use of unconventional techniques and sounds has helped to push the boundaries of the genre, and her works continue to be performed and admired by musicians and audiences alike.

More....