Martin Kennedy (composer)

Martin Kennedy (born March 24, 1978) is a pianist and composer of contemporary classical music.

Early life and education

Martin Kennedy was born in Wakefield, England to Barry and Ann Kennedy, and moved with them as a young child to the United States. He grew up in Pennsylvania and Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where he attended Central High School. As a youth, he played piano and composed pieces for the Tuscaloosa Children's Theatre, Theatre Tuscaloosa and the Frank M. Moody Concert Hall, winning national awards and recognition for his work.[1] He earned a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance and composition, as well as a Master of Music in composition, from the Jacobs School of Music. In 2005, he received his Doctorate in Music Composition from the Juilliard School where he studied as a C.V. Starr fellow under Milton Babbitt and Samuel Adler.[1][2]

Career

After receiving his doctorate, Kennedy became assistant professor of theory and composition at the Department of Music in Arts and Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis.[1] He has written extensively for orchestra, chamber ensembles, and solo instruments,[2] working with Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra music director Shin-ik Hahm and pianist Molly Morkoski.[1] In 2015, Kennedy was director of composition and theory at the music department of Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington.[3][4]

Awards and recognition

Kennedy's awards include first prize in the '2 Agosto' International Composing Competition,[5] five ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Awards,[1][2] a BMI Young Composer Award, the 1999 Raymond Hubbel award,[6] the Indiana University Dean's Prize in composition in 1998 and 2002,[1] the 2010 ASCAP Rudolf Nissim Prize for Best Orchestral Work,[7] the Suzanne and Lee Ettleson Prize, an Aaron Copland Award, and residencies at the MacDowell[8] and Yaddo artist colonies. He was Composer-In-Residence for the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. His music is published by Theodore Presser Company[2][6] and G. Schirmer Inc.

Selected works

Orchestral works

• Drift (2021)
• Forest Dark and Stars Above (2018)
• Siren, blind (2016)
• Three Pieces for Orchestra (1999)

Concerti

• Pull Pin and Throw for trombone and orchestra (2021)
• Violin Concerto (2020)
• Sonata for violin and orchestra (John Corigliano, arr. Kennedy) (2012)
• Trivial Pursuits for violin and orchestra (2009)
• Piano Concerto (2008)
• Totentanz for violin and orchestra (Franz Liszt, arr. Kennedy and Lara St. John) (2007)[1]
• Flute Concerto (1999)

Chamber music

• Dry Falls for two guitars (2021)
• An Affirmation for chamber choir (2015)
• Distant Channels for bass trombone and percussion (2014)
• Czardashian Rhapsody (arr.) for violin and piano (2013)
• Desplazamiento for piccolo and piano (2013)[4]
• Trivial Pursuits for violin and piano (2009)
• Four Songs for flute and piano (1998)[9]
• These Parting Gifts for two violins and piano (1997)[2]
• Souvenir for flute and piano (1995)[1]

External links

• Official website
• Martin Kennedy's page at Theodore Presser Company
• Alabama Symphony Website

References

1. Cobb, Mark Hughes (2008-05-10). "TSO to perform piece by Tuscaloosa native". Tuscaloosa News.
2. Otten, Liam (2006-03-23). "Acclaimed faculty composer Martin Kennedy to present original chamber works April 9". The Source.
3. "Symphony Announces Concerto Contest Winners". Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. January 29, 2015.
4. Riner, Nicole (Spring 2014). "Desplazamiento - Martin Kennedy" (pdf). Flutist Quarterly. 39 (3): 85. ISSN 8756-8667. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
5. "And the winner is." International Composing Competition 2 Agosto. 2013-02-18. Archived from the original on 2013-02-18.
6. "Martin Kennedy". Archived from the original on 2011-08-06. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
7. "MARTIN KENNEDY RECEIVES $5,000 ASCAP FOUNDATION NISSIM PRIZE FOR "TRIVIAL PURSUITS"". 2010-04-08. Archived from the original on 2010-02-05.
8. "Fellowships Reaching New Regions Bring Martin Kennedy, Other Artists to MacDowell". MacDowell. August 29, 2013.
9. "FSU Department of Music Faculty Artist Series Presenting Recital". Cumberland Times-News. December 5, 2008.