Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1956

Period

:

Contemporary

Genre

:

Band

 

 

Orchestral

 

Roger Cichy is a renowned American composer of classical music. He was born on August 16, 1956, in Chicago, Illinois. Cichy grew up in a family of musicians, and his father was a professional trumpet player. As a child, Cichy was exposed to a wide range of music genres, including classical, jazz, and rock. He started playing the trumpet at a young age and later learned to play the piano and guitar. Cichy attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Composition. He later pursued a Master of Music degree in Composition at Northwestern University. During his studies, Cichy was mentored by renowned composers such as Salvatore Martirano and Alan Stout. Cichy's early works were heavily influenced by the avant-garde and experimental music of the 1960s and 1970s. His compositions were characterized by complex rhythms, unconventional harmonies, and extended techniques. However, as he matured as a composer, Cichy began to incorporate more traditional elements into his music, such as tonality and melody. One of Cichy's most notable works is his Symphony No. 1, which was commissioned by the Illinois Music Educators Association in 1990. The symphony is a four-movement work that showcases Cichy's mastery of orchestration and his ability to create powerful and emotional music. The first movement, "Fanfare and Procession," is a grand and majestic opening that sets the tone for the rest of the symphony. The second movement, "Elegy," is a somber and reflective piece that features a haunting melody played by the strings. The third movement, "Scherzo," is a lively and energetic piece that showcases Cichy's skill at writing complex rhythms. The final movement, "Finale," is a triumphant and uplifting piece that brings the symphony to a thrilling conclusion. Another notable work by Cichy is his Concerto for Trumpet and Wind Ensemble, which was commissioned by the United States Air Force Band in 1995. The concerto is a three-movement work that features the trumpet as the solo instrument. The first movement, "Allegro," is a fast and virtuosic piece that showcases the technical abilities of the soloist. The second movement, "Adagio," is a slow and lyrical piece that features a beautiful melody played by the trumpet. The final movement, "Allegro con brio," is a lively and energetic piece that brings the concerto to a thrilling conclusion. Cichy has also composed a number of works for concert band, including his Symphony No. 2, which was commissioned by the United States Air Force Band in 2001. The symphony is a four-movement work that showcases Cichy's skill at writing for wind ensemble. The first movement, "Fanfare and Procession," is a grand and majestic opening that sets the tone for the rest of the symphony. The second movement, "Elegy," is a somber and reflective piece that features a beautiful melody played by the horns. The third movement, "Scherzo," is a lively and energetic piece that showcases Cichy's skill at writing complex rhythms. The final movement, "Finale," is a triumphant and uplifting piece that brings the symphony to a thrilling conclusion. In addition to his work as a composer, Cichy is also a respected educator and conductor. He has taught at a number of universities, including the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Northwestern University, and Western Illinois University.

More....