Role

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Composer

Birth

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March 28, 1981 in Lexington, KY

 

Shawn E. Okpebholo is a Nigerian-American composer of classical music. He was born on August 1, 1981, in Lagos, Nigeria. Okpebholo grew up in a musical family, with his father being a church choir director and his mother a singer. He began playing the piano at the age of six and later learned to play the trumpet and French horn. Okpebholo's interest in music composition began in high school, where he wrote his first piece for the school choir. He went on to study music composition at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 2003. He then pursued a Master of Music degree in composition at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he studied with Stephen Dembski and Joel Naumann. Okpebholo's compositions are influenced by his Nigerian heritage and his experiences growing up in the United States. His works often incorporate African rhythms and melodies, as well as elements of jazz and gospel music. He has written for a variety of ensembles, including choir, orchestra, and chamber groups. One of Okpebholo's most notable works is his choral piece "Two Wings: The Music of Black America in Migration," which was commissioned by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in 2017. The piece tells the story of the Great Migration of African Americans from the South to the North in the early 20th century. It incorporates spirituals, blues, and gospel music, as well as spoken word and dance. Another notable work by Okpebholo is his "Sonata for Trumpet and Piano," which was commissioned by the International Trumpet Guild in 2010. The piece showcases Okpebholo's skill as a composer for brass instruments, with its intricate rhythms and virtuosic trumpet writing. In addition to his work as a composer, Okpebholo is also an educator. He has taught music theory and composition at Luther College, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He has also served as a guest lecturer and clinician at universities and music festivals throughout the United States. Okpebholo's compositions have been performed by ensembles and orchestras around the world, including the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and the Minnesota Orchestra. He has received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Award and the American Composers Forum's McKnight Fellowship. Overall, Shawn E. Okpebholo is a talented and accomplished composer whose works reflect his diverse cultural background and musical influences. His compositions are celebrated for their innovative use of African rhythms and melodies, as well as their virtuosic writing for a variety of instruments and ensembles. As an educator, he has inspired countless students to pursue their own careers in music composition and performance.

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