Thomas Sleeper

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Thomas M. Sleeper is a modern American composer and conductor. His music has been described as 'hauntingly mysterious' and 'richly lyrical'[1]. He is currently the Director of Orchestral Activities and Conductor of the University of Miami Symphony Orchestra and Opera Theater. He is also the director of the Florida Youth Orchestra.

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[edit] History

Sleeper received his Bachelor of Music at the University of Texas, and subsequently received his Master of Music at Southern Methodist University, where he studied under Daryl F. Rauscher of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and famous maestro James Rives-Jones. At 22 years of age Sleeper was appointed Associate Conductor of the Dallas Civic Symphony. Following his conducting stint with the Dallas Civic Symphony, Sleeper began to compose many pieces of music including, but not limited to, operas, concerti, symphonies, sonatas, and chamber music.

He is a frequent guest conductor all over the world and has performed with ensembles such as the Central Philharmonic of China, Argentina's San Juan Symphony Orchestra, and Bulgaria's Ruse State Philharmonic. In addition, he was named the Artistic Advisor of the China-Wuhan Symphony in 1993.[2]Sleeper is an advocate of new music, and has commissioned and conducted the premiers of works of composers including Thomas Ludwig, Henry Brant, Carlos Surinach, Robert Xavier Rodriguez.[3] He currently lives in Miami, Florida, and is on the faculty of the University of Miami.

[edit] Notable works

  • Concerto for Cello and Orchestra, premiered by Jillian Bloom at Carnegie Hall on March 23, 2008
  • Concerto for Trumpet, premiered by Craig Morris, former Principal Trumpet of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra
  • String Quartet No. 2, "Bergonzi", written for the famed Bergonzi String Quartet
  • Aceldama: Field of Blood, an Opera performed across the world
  • Symphony No. 1, premiered by the Meadows Symphony Orchestra in Dallas
  • Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra, written for bassoonist Kathryn Sleeper
  • Adagio for Orchestra
  • Piano Concerto No. 2, premiered by pianist Justin Blasdale

[edit] Discography

  • Rodríguez: Works For Chorus And Orchestra, Albany Records 2001, Thomas M. Sleeper (conductor)
  • Surinach: Symphonic Melismas, Double Concerto, Etc , Centaur Records 1996, (conductor)
  • Aceldama, Albany Records, (composer, conductor)
  • Ticheli, Van Der Slice, Sleeper: Orchestral Works, Albany Records, (composer, conductor)
  • Finzi, Brahms, R. Strauss, Centaur Records, (conductor)[4]

[edit] External links

http://www.sleepermusic.com/index.html

[edit] References