Role

:

Composer Conductor

Country

:

Canada

Birth

:

January 26, 1954 in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

Owen Underhill is a renowned Canadian composer, conductor, and music educator. He was born on August 22, 1954, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Underhill grew up in a musical family, and his parents were both amateur musicians. His father played the piano, and his mother was a singer. Underhill started playing the piano at a young age and showed a keen interest in music. Underhill attended the University of British Columbia, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition in 1976. He then went on to study at the University of California, San Diego, where he earned a Master of Music degree in composition in 1979. Underhill also studied conducting with Sergiu Celibidache in Germany and with Pierre Boulez in France. Underhill's career as a composer began in the late 1970s, and he quickly gained recognition for his innovative and experimental approach to music. His compositions often incorporate elements of jazz, rock, and world music, as well as classical music. Underhill's music has been performed by many leading orchestras and ensembles, including the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra. In addition to his work as a composer, Underhill is also a highly respected conductor. He has conducted many leading orchestras and ensembles, including the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and the National Arts Centre Orchestra. Underhill is known for his ability to bring out the best in his musicians and for his innovative and dynamic approach to conducting. Underhill has also been a dedicated music educator throughout his career. He has taught at many leading universities and conservatories, including the University of British Columbia, the University of Victoria, and the Banff Centre for the Arts. Underhill is known for his ability to inspire and mentor young musicians, and many of his former students have gone on to successful careers in music. Throughout his career, Underhill has received many awards and honors for his contributions to music. In 1993, he was awarded the Jean A. Chalmers National Music Award for his composition "Still Image." In 2002, he was awarded the Order of Canada, one of Canada's highest honors, for his contributions to music. In 2014, he was awarded the Vancouver Mayor's Arts Award for Music. Some of Underhill's most notable compositions include "Still Image," "The Immigrant," and "The Star-Spangled Banner Variations." "Still Image" is a hauntingly beautiful piece for string orchestra that has been performed by many leading orchestras around the world. "The Immigrant" is a powerful and moving work for orchestra and choir that explores the experiences of immigrants to Canada. "The Star-Spangled Banner Variations" is a playful and inventive take on the American national anthem that showcases Underhill's unique approach to composition. Underhill's career has been marked by a dedication to innovation, experimentation, and excellence in music. He has been a leading figure in the Canadian music scene for many years, and his contributions to music have been recognized and celebrated around the world. Underhill continues to compose, conduct, and teach, and his influence on the world of music is sure to be felt for many years to come.

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