David Holsinger

David Holsinger
Born (1945-12-26) December 26, 1945
Hardin, Missouri
Occupation(s) Conductor, composer
Years active 1966 - present

Dr. David R. Holsinger is an American composer and conductor writing primarily for concert band. Holsinger is a graduate of Hardin-Central High School in Hardin, Missouri, Central Methodist University, the University of Central Missouri, and the University of Kansas. He is well known across the nation as well as the world for his differentiating time signatures throughout his pieces.

Conducting positions

In February 1992, Holsinger guest conducted the District VI Symphonic Band in Virginia.

In 1999, following 15 years of service as music minister, worship leader, and composer in residence to Shady Grove Church in Grand Prairie, Texas, he joined the School of Music faculty at Lee University, Cleveland, Tennessee, as Conductor of the Lee University Wind Ensemble. Holsinger’s duties include teaching advanced instrumental conducting and composition.

In 1999, Holsinger conducted the Kentucky All-State Symphonic Band. Some of his works that were played and recorded included To Tame The Perilous Skies, Consider the Uncommon Man, and On An American Spiritual.

In the spring of 2000, Holsinger conducted the Georgia Southern Symphonic Band and the Georgia Southern Symphonic Wind Ensemble in Statesboro, GA.

Over the past several years, Holsinger has been named a National Patron of Delta Omicron Music Fraternity, awarded the Distinguished Music Alumni Award from Central Missouri State University, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia’s Orpheus Award, as well as, honorary memberships in Kappa Kappa Psi National Band Fraternity and the Women’s National Band Directors Association. In April 2003, Holsinger was presented the Distinguished Alumni Award from Central Methodist College, and the following month, at Graduation Ceremonies, Dr. Paul Conn, President of Lee University presented the composer with the university’s prestigious “Excellence in Scholarship” faculty award for his continued achievement in musical composition.

In February 2009, Holsinger conducted the District VIII Symphonic Band in Virginia. In the Spring of 2009, Holsinger guest conducted the District V Honor Band in Georgia.

In the Spring of 2010, Holsinger guest conducted the West Virginia All-State Band in which he has composed a piece for titled "Coal Mountain Portrait.". This is the second time Holsinger has guest conducted the West Virginia All-State Band, the first in the Spring of 2007.

In February 2011, Holsinger guest conducted the district VII Symphonic Band in Virginia, where he premiered his new piece titled "Solemn Hymn & Rowdy Dance."

In February 2015, Holsinger guest conducted the "Tennessee Band" in the 36th West Virginia University Invitational High School Honor Bands.

He currently serves as the conductor of the Lee University Wind Ensemble at Lee University, Cleveland, Tennessee.

In July 2015, Holsinger, wind ensemble conductor and composer at Lee University suffered two strokes while he was in New Orleans conducting the Phi Mu Alpha International Honors Band at their convention. Upon his return to Chattanooga, he was admitted to Memorial Hospital and was diagnosed, medicated and treated. He was then moved to Siskin Rehabilitation Hospital where he received physical therapy. He is now home and back to teaching at Lee University, although on a limited schedule. Recovery is going well.[1]

Compositions

Over the past ten years, Holsinger served as Visiting Composer in Residence at eleven American colleges or universities, and held the Acuff Chair of Excellence in the Creative Arts at Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, Tennessee. In 1999, the Christian Instrumental Directors Association awarded Holsinger its “Director of the Year” citation. The composer was also honored with biographical inclusion in “The Heritage Encyclopedia of Band Music”, Vol. I and III, and in Norman Smith’s “Program Notes for Band”.

Compositions by Holsinger receiving outstanding reviews include The Easter Symphony, a three movement, 55 minute chorale symphony commissioned by The Gustavus Band in 1995, based on the Passion of Christ, and the U.S. Air Force Tactical Air Command Band commission, To Tame the Perilous Skies. High marks by reviewers have also been given to the memorial work, Consider the Uncommon Man; Praises, a six-movement ballet suite; Scrappy Bumptoe’s Picture Cards and Ragtag Diary, composed for the Kansas Brass Quintet; Sinfonia Voci for band and choir; and The Song of Moses, a four movement band/choral work premiered by the United States Air Force Band and Singing Sergeants and selected for broadcast nationally on a National Public Radio Special Project on Vocal Music in August, 1997.[2]

Other much played works in Holsinger’s catalogue include The War Trilogy: 1971, a special edition of the Kent State contest winner; Abram’s Pursuit; a rollicking overture based on a story from the Book of Genesis; and Adagio, which was composed in the memory of a departed friend.

Style

Holsinger's music was characterized by having a variation of different time signatures.

Works

His works include:

Recordings

Awards and recognition

Drum and Bugle Corps

Holsinger's works have been very popular in the world of drum and bugle corps since the 1987 Cavaliers (3rd place) first put "Liturgical Dances" on the field. In 1993 Holsinger — himself a former marching band director — spent time with the Cadets to help them understand the music they were portraying with To Tame the Perilous Skies (1992 Cadets, 2nd place). Other performances include: Prelude and Rondo (1981 Southwind), At the Strongholds of En Gedi (2000 Seattle Cascades), In the Spring, When Kings go off to War and On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss (Both 1993 Cadets, 1st place), Symphonia Resurrectus from Easter Symphony) (2002 Spirit and 2003 Magic of Orlando), The Symphonic Cantata (1993 The Cavaliers, 5th place), Abram's Pursuit (2001 Seattle Cascades, 2003 Magic of Orlando), as well as Battle Music (2007 Bluecoats, 7th place) and Scootin' on Hard Rock (2012 Fusion Core, 9th place DCA). Many of his works have been performed by Junior (DCI) and Senior (DCA) corps frequently since 1981.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.wtsboa.com/whatsnew.php
  2. ↑ Composers on composing for band. GIA Publications. 2003. pp. 165–209. ISBN 978-1-57999-195-1.
  3. ↑ "ABA Awards". The American Bandmasters Association. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
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