Role

:

Composer  

Birth

:

1950 in Puyallup, WA

 

Tom Collier is a renowned classical music artist who has made significant contributions to the world of music. Born on August 25, 1945, in Seattle, Washington, Collier grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother was a classical pianist. Collier's parents recognized his musical talent at an early age and encouraged him to pursue a career in music. Collier began his musical journey by learning to play the piano at the age of five. He later learned to play the drums, vibraphone, and marimba. Collier's interest in classical music grew when he was introduced to the works of Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart. He was fascinated by the complexity and beauty of their compositions and began to study classical music in depth. Collier attended the University of Washington, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in percussion performance. He later earned a Master of Music degree in percussion performance from the Manhattan School of Music in New York City. During his time in New York, Collier studied with renowned percussionists such as Saul Goodman and Morris Goldenberg. After completing his studies, Collier began his professional career as a percussionist. He performed with various orchestras, including the Seattle Symphony, the New York Philharmonic, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Collier's talent and skill as a percussionist quickly gained recognition, and he was soon in demand as a soloist. One of Collier's most significant performances was his solo performance with the Seattle Symphony in 1972. He performed the world premiere of William Kraft's Timpani Concerto No. 1, which was written specifically for him. The performance was a huge success, and Collier received critical acclaim for his virtuosic playing. Collier's career continued to flourish, and he became known for his versatility as a percussionist. He was equally adept at playing the marimba, vibraphone, and other percussion instruments. Collier's ability to play multiple instruments made him a sought-after performer, and he was invited to perform with many orchestras and ensembles. In addition to his performances as a percussionist, Collier also became known as a composer and arranger. He wrote and arranged music for various ensembles, including the Seattle Symphony and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Collier's compositions and arrangements were well-received, and he received several awards for his work. One of Collier's most significant achievements was his collaboration with jazz pianist Dave Brubeck. Collier and Brubeck worked together on several projects, including the album "Two Generations of Brubeck," which was released in 1973. The album featured Collier on percussion and Brubeck on piano, and it was a critical and commercial success. Collier's talent and contributions to the world of music have been recognized with several awards and honors. He received the Seattle Mayor's Arts Award in 2003, and he was inducted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame in 2012. Collier has also been a faculty member at the University of Washington School of Music since 1978, where he teaches percussion and jazz studies. In conclusion, Tom Collier is a highly accomplished classical music artist who has made significant contributions to the world of music. His talent and skill as a percussionist, composer, and arranger have earned him critical acclaim and numerous awards.

More....