Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1961

Genre

:

Vocal

 

Stephen Newby is a renowned composer, conductor, and professor of music at Seattle Pacific University. He was born on December 22, 1961, in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in a musical family. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a gospel singer. Newby started playing the piano at the age of four and began composing music at the age of eight. Newby's musical education began at the Detroit Community Music School, where he studied piano, voice, and composition. He later attended the University of Michigan, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition. He then went on to earn a Master of Music degree in composition from the University of Southern California and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in composition from the University of Washington. Newby's compositions are influenced by his diverse musical background, which includes classical, jazz, gospel, and world music. He has composed works for orchestra, choir, chamber ensembles, and solo instruments. Some of his most notable works include "The Seven Last Words of Christ," "The Gospel Mass," and "The Passion of John Brown." "The Seven Last Words of Christ" is a choral work that sets the seven sayings of Jesus on the cross to music. The piece was commissioned by the Seattle Pacific University Concert Choir and premiered in 2009. The work features a mix of classical and gospel styles and has been performed by choirs across the United States. "The Gospel Mass" is a choral work that combines the traditional Latin Mass with gospel music. The piece was commissioned by the Seattle Symphony and premiered in 2010. The work features a full orchestra, choir, and soloists and has been performed by orchestras and choirs across the United States. "The Passion of John Brown" is an oratorio that tells the story of the abolitionist John Brown. The piece was commissioned by the Seattle Pacific University Music Department and premiered in 2013. The work features a full orchestra, choir, and soloists and has been performed by orchestras and choirs across the United States. In addition to his work as a composer, Newby is also a conductor and has led numerous ensembles, including the Seattle Symphony, the Seattle Opera, and the Northwest Sinfonietta. He is also a professor of music at Seattle Pacific University, where he teaches composition, music theory, and conducting. Newby has received numerous awards and honors for his work as a composer and conductor, including the ASCAP Foundation Morton Gould Young Composer Award, the Seattle Mayor's Arts Award, and the Washington State Governor's Arts Award. He is also a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) and the National Association of Composers, USA (NACUSA). In conclusion, Stephen Newby is a highly accomplished composer, conductor, and professor of music. His diverse musical background and unique style have made him a prominent figure in the classical music world. His compositions, which blend classical, jazz, gospel, and world music, have been performed by orchestras and choirs across the United States. Newby's contributions to the world of classical music have earned him numerous awards and honors, and his work continues to inspire and captivate audiences around the world.

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