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A Celebration of the Life and Music of David Macbride
This four-day festival features colleagues and former students of David's performing his work and paying homage to this inspirational composer
On October 2-5 The Hartt School will celebrate the life and work of composer David Macbride '73 in a series of concerts devoted to his music, and his creative influence on generations of composers. David was a faculty member at Hartt from 1984 until his untimely death in September 2018. As an alumnus of The Hartt School, he was awarded the School's Distinguished Alumni Award in 2011. His body of work is prolific and wide-ranging, covering almost every medium of concert music. But undoubtedly his greatest impact on the field has been that of his percussion music, which are firmly entrenched in the repertoire, with continuing performances nationally and internationally.
David Macbride was born in Berkeley, Calif., in 1951. His principal teachers included Edward Diemente of the then Hartt School of Music, and Jack Beeson and Chou wen-chung of Columbia University, where he earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree. Macbride has written more than 200 works, ranging from solo, chamber, and orchestral music, to music for film, television, dance, and theatre, with particular emphasis on music for percussion. His compositions have been performed extensively in the United States and abroad. Performers of his work include the Hartford Symphony, the Arditti String Quartet, Percussive Arts Society International Convention, World Saxophone Congress, and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.
David was an integral part of the way anyone in our community conceived of new musical creation and presentation. His commitment to our community, both within and beyond the school, was exemplary. Since the end of 2018, a host of individuals have come forward freely to offer their talents and energy. Words of thanks cannot begin to express the gratitude we all feel.
Robert Carl, Professor of Composition and Curator of the Memorial Concerts
About the Performances:
All events are free and open to the public. Performances start at 7:30 p.m., in Lincoln Theater. All performances will be livestreamed at Hartford.edu/harttstream
Chamber Works of David Macbride
Hartt faculty and friends perform David's chamber works. Performers include Gilda Lyons, Phil Snedecor, Brandon Dicks,Eric Hansen, Cherie Caluda, Susan Knapp Thomas, Carrie Koffman, Perry Roth, and the Resident Musicians of Quatro Puntos.
The Percussion Music of David Macbride
The Hartt Percussion Studio, Past and Present perform some of David's works for percussion.
Tribute Pieces Written in Honor of David Macbride by Alumni and Colleagues
David Macbride: Music for a Large Space- A Public Gathering
Under the direction of Glen Adsit and James E. Jackson III, the Onmi Wind Ensemble performs Music for Large Space. This piece was initially inspired by the performance of Benjamin Britten's War Requiem in the Spring of 2010 by The Hartt School.
Ashley Fedigan
fedigan@hartford.edu
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