Role

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Composer

Birth

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1986

 

Emily Koh is a Singaporean-American composer who has been making waves in the classical music world with her innovative and boundary-pushing compositions. Born in Singapore in 1986, Koh grew up in a family of musicians and was exposed to music from a young age. Her mother was a piano teacher, and her father played the guitar and sang in a choir. Koh began playing the piano at the age of four and later picked up the violin and the guitar. Koh's interest in composition began when she was a teenager. She was inspired by the music of composers like Beethoven, Brahms, and Debussy, but also by the sounds of the natural world. She would often go on walks in the forest near her home and listen to the sounds of the birds and the wind, which would later find their way into her compositions. Koh went on to study music at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music in Singapore, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition. She then moved to the United States to pursue further studies, earning a Master of Music degree in composition from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in composition from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Koh's compositions are known for their unique blend of traditional and contemporary elements. She often incorporates elements of Southeast Asian music into her works, as well as electronic sounds and unconventional instruments. Her music has been described as "vibrant," "colorful," and "evocative." One of Koh's most notable works is her piece "Aqua Madora," which was commissioned by the Singapore Symphony Orchestra in 2016. The piece is inspired by the sounds of the ocean and features a large orchestra, as well as electronic sounds and recordings of the ocean. The piece was well-received by audiences and critics alike, with one reviewer describing it as "a stunning work that captures the beauty and power of the sea." Another notable work by Koh is her piece "The Great Unconformity," which was commissioned by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra in 2019. The piece is inspired by the geological phenomenon of the same name, which refers to a gap in the rock record that represents millions of years of missing time. The piece features a large orchestra, as well as electronic sounds and recordings of geological processes. The piece was praised for its innovative use of sound and its ability to evoke the vastness of geological time. Koh has also been recognized for her work as an educator and advocate for new music. She has taught composition at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and the Singapore Raffles Music College, and has served as a mentor for young composers through programs like the Young Composers Project at the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. She has also been involved in organizations like the Asian Composers League and the International Alliance for Women in Music, working to promote diversity and inclusivity in the classical music world. Overall, Emily Koh is a composer who is pushing the boundaries of classical music with her innovative and evocative compositions. Her work is inspired by a wide range of influences, from the natural world to Southeast Asian music to geological phenomena. She is also a dedicated educator and advocate for new music, working to promote diversity and inclusivity in the classical music world.

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