Composer

Symphonette and Tutti Strings Conductor, Pierce Cook talks about the importance of picking diverse repertoire and shares his favorite Black composers:  If you are in any industry for any period of time, and you are making any effort to be any good, you come up with your own little trade secrets. Now, my mother always taught me not to keep secrets, so I plan to start sharing all of mine. Here is my first hard-won secret!  Has anyone ever told you that you need some R n’ R? We all do. That’s rest and relaxation. Unless of course you are…

February is Black History Month, and to celebrate, we are highlighting all the fantastic Black composers that have works included in our 2022-23 season. Learn more about Anthony Barfield, Valerie Coleman, Katahj Copley, Adrian Gordon, and Jessie Montgomery:  As part of our winter concert series, Young Peoples Orchestra (YPO) performed “Invictus for Brass” by Anthony Barfield. Barfield is a producer and composer based in New York City. Known for his lyrical writing style, his compositions have been performed throughout the U.S., Europe, and Asia. As a former trombonist, he has performed at halls such as Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall,…

Did you know that September 15 through October 15 is Hispanic Heritage month? To celebrate, we highlighted some Hispanic composers and the pieces that TRYPO ensembles are preparing to perform this winter. Our 2022-23 season theme is “Music of the Americas,” so works by Hispanic composers will be heard throughout the year. Learn more about Manuel de Falla, Arturo Márquez, and Carlos Gardel: Young Peoples Orchestra (YPO) will perform Manuel de Falla’s “Tres Picos Sombreros” at the Winter Concert on December 5, 2022, at Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland. Manuel is a very well-known Spanish composer and pianist. He was…

To celebrate Women’s History Month, we are highlighting the females whose compositions will be performed at our spring concert on May 28 at Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts. Today we feature Julie Giroux, born and raised in Fairhaven, Massachusetts. By the age of three, she was already playing piano, and by the age of eight, Ms. Giroux was composing her first works. She was 13 when she published her first piece for concert band. With over 100 film, television, and video game credits, Ms. Giroux has collaborated with dozens of film composers, producers, and celebrities, including Samuel Goldwyn, Martin…

To celebrate Women’s History Month, we will highlight the female composers who will have their works performed at our spring concert on May 28 at Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts. For our first post, we are highlighting Hannah Ishizaki. Hannah is a former TRYPO member and Pittsburgh native who now lives and works in New York City. She is currently in residence as a Toulmin Creator through National Sawdust and The Center for Ballet and the Arts. Hannah made history as the youngest woman ever to have a world premiere performed by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in 2017. Her…