Donald Steven
Encyclopedia
Donald Steven is a Canadian-American composer
, music educator, and academic administrator. A member of the Canadian League of Composers
and an associate of the Canadian Music Centre
, he won a BMI Student Composer Award in 1970, the Canadian Federation of University Women
's Golden Jubilee Creative Arts Award in 1972, the 1987 Juno Award for Classical Composition of the Year
(for Pages of Solitary Delights) and the 1991 Jules Léger Prize for New Chamber Music
(for In the Land of Pure Delight). His musical compositions are characterized by their emphasis on instrumental colour and atmosphere. Perhaps his most well known piece is his Illusions for solo cello
, which has been widely performed in concert and on television and radio broadcasts.
, Steven began his career performing and arranging folk and rock music in the 1960s (most notably with The Raftsmen
) before pursuing professional studies in music. In 1968 he entered McGill University
where he was a music composition student of Bruce Mather
. After graduating from McGill with a Bachelor of Music
in 1972, he entered the graduate music program at Princeton University
where he studied under Milton Babbitt
, earning a Master of Fine Arts
in 1974. He later earned a Doctor of Philosophy
from Princeton.
In 1975 Steven joined the Faculty of Music (now the Schulich School of Music
) at McGill University, ultimately becoming the head of the performance department in 1986. He taught music composition at the school until 1992 and was involved in the modernization of McGill's studio for electronic music and the creation of the computer music studios. In 1992 he became dean of the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College and, subsequently in 1997, founding dean of the College of the Performing Arts at Roosevelt University
. He has since worked in senior administration at the State University of New York
and The Citadel
, and is currently Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Rider University
. He is also a former faculty member of the University of Western Ontario
.
Steven's works have been performed throughout the world, including the World Music Days of the International Society for Contemporary Music
and the World Cello Congress. He has received numerous commissions, including from Maureen Forrester
, Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, Bertram Turetzky
, Robert Riseling, and Alvaro Pierri
, and from La Société de musique contemporaine du Québec, the Pierrot Ensemble, the Canadian Electronic Ensemble, New Music Concerts and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
.
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, music educator, and academic administrator. A member of the Canadian League of Composers
Canadian League of Composers
The Canadian League of Composers is an organization formed in 1951 of Canadian composers primarily interested in raising awareness and acceptance of Canadian music. The activities of the League are overseen and directed by an executive and a National Council...
and an associate of the Canadian Music Centre
Canadian Music Centre
The Canadian Music Centre holds Canada's largest collection of Canadian concert music. The CMC exists to promote the works of its Associate Composers in Canada and around the world....
, he won a BMI Student Composer Award in 1970, the Canadian Federation of University Women
Canadian Federation of University Women
The Canadian Federation of University Women was founded in 1919 It is a non-profit, voluntary self-funded bilingual organization of women university graduates , with almost 10,000 members....
's Golden Jubilee Creative Arts Award in 1972, the 1987 Juno Award for Classical Composition of the Year
Juno Award for Classical Composition of the Year
The Juno Award for "Classical Composition of the Year" has been awarded since 1987, as recognition each year for the best classical music composition in Canada.-Best Classical Composition :*Malcolm Forsyth, Atayoskewin...
(for Pages of Solitary Delights) and the 1991 Jules Léger Prize for New Chamber Music
Jules Léger Prize for New Chamber Music
The Jules Léger Prize for New Chamber Music is a Canadian contemporary classical music award given to composers in recognition of quality new works of chamber music. Granted annually since 1978 , the prize is won through a competition administered by the Canadian Music Centre...
(for In the Land of Pure Delight). His musical compositions are characterized by their emphasis on instrumental colour and atmosphere. Perhaps his most well known piece is his Illusions for solo cello
Cello
The cello is a bowed string instrument with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is a member of the violin family of musical instruments, which also includes the violin, viola, and double bass. Old forms of the instrument in the Baroque era are baryton and viol .A person who plays a cello is...
, which has been widely performed in concert and on television and radio broadcasts.
Life and career
Born in MontrealMontreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Steven began his career performing and arranging folk and rock music in the 1960s (most notably with The Raftsmen
The Raftsmen
The Raftsmen was a Canadian folk music group active through the early and mid 1960s. Initially formed by Louis Leroux, Martin Overland and Marvin Burke, the group played a variety of instruments, including guitar, banjo and percussion. Along with The Travellers, the group was one of the most...
) before pursuing professional studies in music. In 1968 he entered McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
where he was a music composition student of Bruce Mather
Bruce Mather
Bruce Mather is a Canadian composer, pianist, and writer who is particularly known for his contributions to contemporary classical music. One of the most notable composers of microtonal music, he was awarded the Jules Léger Prize twice, first in 1979 for his Musique pour Champigny and again in...
. After graduating from McGill with a Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music is an academic degree awarded by a college, university, or conservatory upon completion of program of study in music. In the United States, it is a professional degree; the majority of work consists of prescribed music courses and study in applied music, usually requiring a...
in 1972, he entered the graduate music program at Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
where he studied under Milton Babbitt
Milton Babbitt
Milton Byron Babbitt was an American composer, music theorist, and teacher. He is particularly noted for his serial and electronic music.-Biography:...
, earning a Master of Fine Arts
Master of Fine Arts
A Master of Fine Arts is a graduate degree typically requiring 2–3 years of postgraduate study beyond the bachelor's degree , although the term of study will vary by country or by university. The MFA is usually awarded in visual arts, creative writing, filmmaking, dance, or theatre/performing arts...
in 1974. He later earned a Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
from Princeton.
In 1975 Steven joined the Faculty of Music (now the Schulich School of Music
Schulich School of Music
The Schulich School of Music is one of the constituent faculties of McGill University in Montréal, Canada. The faculty was named after benefactor Seymour Schulich.-History:Music at McGill – The Beginning...
) at McGill University, ultimately becoming the head of the performance department in 1986. He taught music composition at the school until 1992 and was involved in the modernization of McGill's studio for electronic music and the creation of the computer music studios. In 1992 he became dean of the Conservatory of Music at Purchase College and, subsequently in 1997, founding dean of the College of the Performing Arts at Roosevelt University
Roosevelt University
Roosevelt University is a coeducational, private university with campuses in Chicago, Illinois and Schaumburg, Illinois. Founded in 1945, the university is named in honor of both former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. The university's curriculum is based on...
. He has since worked in senior administration at the State University of New York
State University of New York
The State University of New York, abbreviated SUNY , is a system of public institutions of higher education in New York, United States. It is the largest comprehensive system of universities, colleges, and community colleges in the United States, with a total enrollment of 465,000 students, plus...
and The Citadel
The Citadel
-Places:*The Citadel , a 201 m skyscraper in the United Arab Emirates*The Citadel , the old fortified city of Gozo, Malta*The Citadel , a shopping mall in Colorado*The Citadel , a diving spot in Martinique...
, and is currently Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Rider University
Rider University
Rider University is a private, coeducational and nonsectarian university located chiefly in Lawrenceville, in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States...
. He is also a former faculty member of the University of Western Ontario
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
.
Steven's works have been performed throughout the world, including the World Music Days of the International Society for Contemporary Music
International Society for Contemporary Music
The International Society for Contemporary Music is a music organization that promotes contemporary classical music.ISCM was established in 1922, in Salzburg. Its core activity is the World Music Days Festival, held every year at a different location. The festival includes cutting edge productions...
and the World Cello Congress. He has received numerous commissions, including from Maureen Forrester
Maureen Forrester
Maureen Kathleen Stewart Forrester, was a Canadian operatic contralto.-Life and career:Maureen Forrester was born and grew up in a poor section of Montreal, Quebec. She was one of four children to Thomas Forrester, a Scottish cabinetmaker, and his Irish-born wife, the former May Arnold. She...
, Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, Bertram Turetzky
Bertram Turetzky
Bertram Turetzky is a contemporary American double bass soloist, teacher, and author of The Contemporary Contrabass , a book that looked at a number of new and interesting ways of playing the double bass including featuring it as a solo performance vehicle with no other instrumental...
, Robert Riseling, and Alvaro Pierri
Alvaro Pierri
Álvaro Pierri is a classical guitarist. He is a professor at the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Vienna....
, and from La Société de musique contemporaine du Québec, the Pierrot Ensemble, the Canadian Electronic Ensemble, New Music Concerts and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
.
Selected works
- Harbinger, a fantasia for soprano and orchestra, 1969 (BMI Award for Student Composers), 1969
- Illusions, an elegy for solo cello, 1971
- The Gossamer Cathedral, five surrealistic frescoes for chamber ensemble, 1972
- Crossroads, for chamber ensemble, 1974
- The Transient, for soprano and chamber ensemble, 1975
- Images: Refractions of Time and Space, for flute, electric piano, electric bass and percussion, 1977
- For Madmen Only, magic theatre for solo cello and orchestra, 1978
- Rainy Day Afternoon, for brass quintet, 1979
- Night Suite, for chamber ensemble, 1979
- Wired, electronic ensemble and optional tape, 1981
- On the Down Side, for jazz septet, 1982
- Bert in Nether-Nether Land, adventures for solo contrabass and ensemble, 1983
- Ordre sans ordre (sans désordre), concerto for solo guitar and chamber orchestra, 1984
- Straight On Till Morning, for chamber ensemble and tape, 1985
- Pages of Solitary Delights, for contralto and orchestra, 1985 (Juno Award 1987)
- Sapphire Song, for solo clarinet, 1986
- Love Where the Nights are Long, for soprano, oboe d'amore and orchestra, 1987
- Full Valleys, for children's choir, 1989
- That Other Shore, for solo contrabass and low strings, 1990
- In the Land of Pure Delight, for chamber ensemble, 1991 (Jules Léger Prize 1991)
- ô, to make dreames true, miniatures for the Harry PartchHarry PartchHarry Partch was an American composer and instrument creator. He was one of the first twentieth-century composers to work extensively and systematically with microtonal scales, writing much of his music for custom-made instruments that he built himself, tuned in 11-limit just intonation.-Early...
Instrumentarium, 2001 - mesmerie0000-mesmerie0100, five computer-generated etudes, 2008
- GearTrain, computer-generated isorhythmic motet, 2008