Role

:

Composer Conductor

Birth

:

December 14, 1929 in Joliet, IL

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Band

 

 

Choral

 

 

Orchestral

 

 

Symphony

 

Ron Nelson is an American composer of classical music who was born on December 14, 1929, in Joliet, Illinois. He grew up in a musical family, with his father playing the trumpet and his mother playing the piano. Nelson began playing the trumpet at a young age and later learned to play the piano and the French horn. He attended the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where he studied composition with Bernard Rogers and Howard Hanson. After graduating from Eastman in 1952, Nelson served in the U.S. Army as a bandsman and arranger. He then returned to Eastman to earn his master's degree in composition in 1954. Nelson went on to teach at several universities, including Brown University, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and the University of California, Los Angeles. Nelson's compositions are known for their accessibility and emotional depth. He has written works for a variety of ensembles, including orchestras, wind ensembles, and chamber groups. Some of his most famous works include "Savannah River Holiday," "Rocky Point Holiday," and "Courtly Airs and Dances." "Savannah River Holiday" was written in 1953 and is one of Nelson's most popular works. It was inspired by a trip he took to Savannah, Georgia, and features lively rhythms and a memorable melody. The piece has been performed by orchestras and wind ensembles around the world and is a staple of the concert band repertoire. "Rocky Point Holiday" was written in 1967 and is another popular work for wind ensemble. It was inspired by a trip Nelson took to Rocky Point, a beach town in Rhode Island. The piece features driving rhythms and a sense of excitement and energy. "Courtly Airs and Dances" is a suite of Renaissance-inspired pieces for wind ensemble. It was written in 1971 and features elegant melodies and intricate counterpoint. The piece has been performed by many of the world's top wind ensembles and is considered a classic of the genre. In addition to his compositions, Nelson has also been a respected teacher and mentor to many young composers. He has served as a guest lecturer and conductor at universities and music festivals around the world and has been recognized with numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the field of classical music. Overall, Ron Nelson is a highly respected composer of classical music who has made significant contributions to the wind ensemble repertoire. His works are known for their accessibility, emotional depth, and memorable melodies, and they continue to be performed and enjoyed by musicians and audiences around the world.

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