Role

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Composer

Birth

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1928 in Greensboro, NC

 

Harold Schiffman was an American composer and music educator who was born on August 16, 1928, in New York City. He grew up in a musical family, with his father being a violinist and his mother a pianist. Schiffman began playing the piano at a young age and later learned to play the violin and viola. He attended the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, where he studied composition with Vincent Persichetti and Roger Sessions. After completing his studies at Juilliard, Schiffman served in the United States Army during the Korean War. He was stationed in Germany, where he played in the Seventh Army Symphony Orchestra. After his military service, Schiffman returned to the United States and began a career as a composer and music educator. Schiffman's compositions are characterized by their use of traditional forms and tonal harmony, combined with modern techniques and influences. His works include orchestral pieces, chamber music, vocal music, and works for solo instruments. Some of his most notable compositions include his Symphony No. 1, which was premiered by the New York Philharmonic in 1962, and his String Quartet No. 2, which was commissioned by the Juilliard String Quartet in 1965. In addition to his work as a composer, Schiffman was also a respected music educator. He taught at several universities, including the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the University of Southern California. He was also a visiting professor at the University of Michigan and the University of Iowa. Schiffman's contributions to music education were recognized with several awards and honors. He was a recipient of the ASCAP Deems Taylor Award for his book "The Music of Elliott Carter," and he was also awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship for his work as a composer. In 1995, he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Throughout his career, Schiffman remained committed to the idea that music should be accessible to everyone. He believed that music had the power to bring people together and to inspire them, and he worked tirelessly to promote music education and appreciation. He passed away on January 23, 2013, at the age of 84, leaving behind a legacy of beautiful music and a commitment to excellence in music education.

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