Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1970 in Detroit, MI

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

Sean Hickey is a contemporary classical music composer who was born on August 28, 1970, in Detroit, Michigan. He grew up in a family of musicians, with his father being a jazz pianist and his mother a classical pianist. Hickey started playing the piano at the age of five and later learned to play the trumpet and guitar. Hickey attended the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, where he studied composition and trumpet. He then went on to study at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition. He continued his studies at the Juilliard School in New York City, where he earned a Master of Music degree in composition. Hickey's compositions are known for their energy, rhythmic drive, and emotional depth. He draws inspiration from a wide range of musical styles, including jazz, rock, and classical music. His works have been performed by orchestras and ensembles around the world, including the New York Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra, and the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra. One of Hickey's most well-known works is his Symphony No. 2, which was commissioned by the New York Youth Symphony and premiered in 2012. The symphony is a four-movement work that showcases Hickey's ability to blend different musical styles and create a cohesive and powerful work. The first movement, "Fanfare," is a bold and energetic opening that sets the tone for the rest of the symphony. The second movement, "Lament," is a haunting and emotional piece that features a solo trumpet. The third movement, "Dance," is a lively and rhythmic work that showcases Hickey's jazz influences. The final movement, "Epilogue," is a reflective and introspective piece that brings the symphony to a close. Another notable work by Hickey is his Concerto for Orchestra, which was commissioned by the Albany Symphony Orchestra and premiered in 2015. The concerto is a three-movement work that features different sections of the orchestra in solo and ensemble roles. The first movement, "Fanfare," is a bold and energetic opening that features the brass and percussion sections. The second movement, "Lament," is a somber and reflective piece that features the strings. The final movement, "Dance," is a lively and rhythmic work that features the woodwinds and percussion. Hickey has also composed several works for chamber ensembles, including his String Quartet No. 2, which was commissioned by the Cassatt String Quartet and premiered in 2010. The quartet is a four-movement work that showcases Hickey's ability to create intricate and complex textures with just four instruments. The first movement, "Fanfare," is a bold and energetic opening that features the entire quartet. The second movement, "Lament," is a somber and reflective piece that features the cello. The third movement, "Dance," is a lively and rhythmic work that features the violin and viola. The final movement, "Epilogue," is a reflective and introspective piece that brings the quartet to a close. In addition to his work as a composer, Hickey is also a professor of music at the University of Indianapolis. He has taught composition, theory, and orchestration at several universities, including the Juilliard School, the Eastman School of Music, and the University of Michigan. Overall, Sean Hickey is a talented and versatile composer whose works showcase his ability to blend different musical styles and create powerful and emotional works.

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