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Composer

 

Gerald Custer was an American composer of classical music, born on August 22, 1927, in Detroit, Michigan. He grew up in a musical family, with his father playing the violin and his mother playing the piano. Custer began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the trumpet and French horn. He attended Wayne State University in Detroit, where he studied composition with James Hartway and earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1950. After completing his studies, Custer served in the United States Army during the Korean War. He was stationed in Germany, where he played in the Seventh Army Symphony Orchestra and conducted the Seventh Army Band. After his military service, Custer returned to the United States and continued his studies at the University of Michigan, where he earned a Master of Music degree in composition in 1956. Custer's early compositions were influenced by the neoclassical style of composers such as Igor Stravinsky and Paul Hindemith. He also drew inspiration from jazz and popular music, incorporating elements of these genres into his compositions. In the 1960s, Custer began to experiment with electronic music, using tape recorders and other electronic equipment to create new sounds and textures. One of Custer's most famous works is his Symphony No. 1, which was premiered by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in 1963. The symphony is in three movements and features a large orchestra, including a full percussion section and a large brass section. The first movement is marked by its driving rhythms and complex harmonies, while the second movement is more lyrical and introspective. The final movement is a lively and energetic dance, featuring a prominent trumpet solo. Custer's other notable works include his Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra, which was premiered by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in 1967. The concerto features virtuosic trumpet writing and a lively, jazz-influenced finale. Custer also wrote several works for wind ensemble, including his Variations on a Korean Folk Song, which has become a staple of the wind band repertoire. In addition to his work as a composer, Custer was also a respected educator. He taught at Wayne State University for over 30 years, where he was a professor of music and served as the chair of the composition department. He also taught at the Interlochen Center for the Arts and was a guest lecturer at several other universities and music schools. Custer's music has been performed by orchestras and ensembles around the world, and he has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the field of classical music. He was a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) and was inducted into the Michigan Music Hall of Fame in 2008. Gerald Custer passed away on December 4, 2019, at the age of 92. His legacy as a composer and educator continues to inspire generations of musicians and music lovers.

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