Garrett Byrnes
Encyclopedia
Garrett Byrnes is an American
composer
.
Byrnes was born in Bad Kreuznach
, Germany
while his father was stationed at the U.S. Army Base there, and relocated to New Jersey
in the United States
. He studied music composition, receiving his bachelor's degree from the Boston Conservatory
, his master's degree from the Peabody Institute
of the Johns Hopkins University
, and his doctorate from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.
Since embarking on his professional career, Byrnes has worked with numerous performers both in the United States and abroad. His music has been read and performed by ensembles including the Minnesota Orchestra
, Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire
, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
, Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra, Chesapeake Youth Repertory Orchestra, Peabody Symphony and Concert orchestras, Indiana University New Music Ensemble, Cleveland Chamber Collective, Tarab Cello Ensemble, and Tonus Percussion Group. Byrnes’ orchestral music in particular is currently gaining wider recognition. In 2004 the Indiana University New Music Ensemble premiered his Concerto for Piano and Chamber Orchestra. Later that same year his work "Red Moon" was premiered in California after receiving the Northridge Prize for orchestral composition. On December 1, 2006, conductor Osmo Vänskä
lead the Minnesota Orchestra
in the world premiere of "Solace". In 2008, renowned French Cellist Xavier Phillips premiered "La Chapelle d'Aiguilhe: Concerto for Cello & Orchestra" with the Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire
under conductor Sascha Goetzel.
Byrnes has taught composition at Illinois Wesleyan University
as adjunct assistant professor of composition, at Indiana University
as associate instructor of composition, and currently teaches at Ball State University
as assistant professor of composition and theory. He has studied composition with Sven-David Sandström
, Chen Yi
, Don Freund, David Dzubay, and Larry Bell
. In addition to awards from the American Music Center
, National Association of Composers, ASCAP, USA International Harp Composition Competition, California State University, Northridge
, Indiana University
, Boston Conservatory
and others, Byrnes has received fellowships from Yaddo
and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts.
Byrnes' harp works have been recorded on the Channel Classics
and Kalan Müzik
recording labels.
Orchestra: 2-1-2-1; 2-2-2-1; timp, perc (1); solo harp; strings
Orchestra: 2-2-2-2; 2-2-0-0; timp.; solo cello; strings
Commissioned for Xavier Phillips and the Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire
Program Note
Commissioned by the Alpha Lambda chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
Fraternity of Illinois Wesleyan University
Commissioned for Lavinia Meijer
and Tjeerd Top.
Program Note
Orchestra: 3-3-3-3; 4-3-3-1; timp., 3 perc., pno./cel., harp, strings
Program Note
Piano Solo & Chamber Orchestra: 1111; 1111; 2 perc, hp, 2111
Commissioned by the Indiana University New Music Ensemble
Program Note
For eight cellos
Commissioned by Florent Renard-Payen and the Tarab Cello Ensemble
For percussion trio
Commissioned by Tonus Percussion Group
Harp solo
Written for Fatma Ceren Necipoğlu
Available from Lyon & Healy West
Orchestra: 3-3-3-3; 4-3-3-1; timp., 3 perc.; strings
Program Note
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
composer
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...
.
Byrnes was born in Bad Kreuznach
Bad Kreuznach
Bad Kreuznach is the capital of the district of Bad Kreuznach, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It is located on the Nahe river, a tributary of the Rhine...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
while his father was stationed at the U.S. Army Base there, and relocated to New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. He studied music composition, receiving his bachelor's degree from the Boston Conservatory
Boston Conservatory
The Boston Conservatory is a performing arts conservatory located in the Fenway-Kenmore region of Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It grants undergraduate and graduate degrees in music, dance and musical theater...
, his master's degree from the Peabody Institute
Peabody Institute
The Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University is a renowned conservatory and preparatory school located in the Mount Vernon neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland at the corner of Charles and Monument Streets at Mount Vernon Place.-History:...
of the Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
, and his doctorate from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.
Since embarking on his professional career, Byrnes has worked with numerous performers both in the United States and abroad. His music has been read and performed by ensembles including the Minnesota Orchestra
Minnesota Orchestra
The Minnesota Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.Emil Oberhoffer founded the orchestra as the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra in 1903, and it gave its first performance on November 5 of that year. In 1968 the orchestra changed to its name to the Minnesota Orchestra...
, Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire
Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire
The Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire is a French symphony orchestra based in Angers and Nantes, France. The orchestra receives support from the Regional Council of the Pays de la Loire....
, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is a major American orchestra based in Indianapolis, Indiana.Annually, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra performs 200 concerts for over 350,000 people. It is the largest performing arts organization in Indiana. The ISO is currently one of only 18 American...
, Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra, Chesapeake Youth Repertory Orchestra, Peabody Symphony and Concert orchestras, Indiana University New Music Ensemble, Cleveland Chamber Collective, Tarab Cello Ensemble, and Tonus Percussion Group. Byrnes’ orchestral music in particular is currently gaining wider recognition. In 2004 the Indiana University New Music Ensemble premiered his Concerto for Piano and Chamber Orchestra. Later that same year his work "Red Moon" was premiered in California after receiving the Northridge Prize for orchestral composition. On December 1, 2006, conductor Osmo Vänskä
Osmo Vänskä
Osmo Antero Vänskä is a Finnish conductor, clarinetist and composer.He started his musical career as an orchestral clarinetist with the Turku Philharmonic . He then became the principal clarinet of the Helsinki Philharmonic from 1977 to 1982...
lead the Minnesota Orchestra
Minnesota Orchestra
The Minnesota Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.Emil Oberhoffer founded the orchestra as the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra in 1903, and it gave its first performance on November 5 of that year. In 1968 the orchestra changed to its name to the Minnesota Orchestra...
in the world premiere of "Solace". In 2008, renowned French Cellist Xavier Phillips premiered "La Chapelle d'Aiguilhe: Concerto for Cello & Orchestra" with the Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire
Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire
The Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire is a French symphony orchestra based in Angers and Nantes, France. The orchestra receives support from the Regional Council of the Pays de la Loire....
under conductor Sascha Goetzel.
Byrnes has taught composition at Illinois Wesleyan University
Illinois Wesleyan University
Illinois Wesleyan University is an independent undergraduate university located in Bloomington, Illinois. Founded in 1850, the central portion of the present campus was acquired in 1854 with the first building erected in 1856...
as adjunct assistant professor of composition, at Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
as associate instructor of composition, and currently teaches at Ball State University
Ball State University
Ball State University is a state-run research university located in Muncie, Indiana. It is also known as Ball State or simply BSU.Located on the northwest side of the city, Ball State's campus spans and includes 106 buildings...
as assistant professor of composition and theory. He has studied composition with Sven-David Sandström
Sven-David Sandström
Sven-David Sandström is a Swedish composer best known for his compositions operas, oratorios, battets, and choral works, as well as orchestral works.Sandström studied art history and musicology at Stockholm University...
, Chen Yi
Chen Yi (composer)
Chen Yi is a Chinese composer of contemporary classical music. She was the first Chinese woman to receive a Master of Arts in music composition from the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. She is also a violinist....
, Don Freund, David Dzubay, and Larry Bell
Larry Bell
Larry Bell may refer to:*Lawrence Dale Bell , American industrialist and founder of Bell Aircraft Corporation*Larry Bell , contemporary artist based in Los Angeles, California and Taos, New Mexico*Larry Bell, founder of Bell's Brewery...
. In addition to awards from the American Music Center
American Music Center
The American Music Center is a non-profit organization which aims to promote the creating, performing, and enjoying new American music. The organization was founded in 1939 by composers Marion Bauer, Aaron Copland, Howard Hanson, Harrison Kerr, Otto Luening, and Quincy Porter.The organization has a...
, National Association of Composers, ASCAP, USA International Harp Composition Competition, California State University, Northridge
California State University, Northridge
California State University, Northridge is a public university in Northridge, a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles, California, United States....
, Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
, Boston Conservatory
Boston Conservatory
The Boston Conservatory is a performing arts conservatory located in the Fenway-Kenmore region of Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It grants undergraduate and graduate degrees in music, dance and musical theater...
and others, Byrnes has received fellowships from Yaddo
Yaddo
Yaddo is an artists' community located on a 400 acre estate in Saratoga Springs, New York. Its mission is "to nurture the creative process by providing an opportunity for artists to work without interruption in a supportive environment."...
and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts.
Byrnes' harp works have been recorded on the Channel Classics
Channel Classics Records
Channel Classics Records is a record label from the Netherlands, specializing in classical music. The managing director and producer is C. Jared Sacks, who grew up in Boston. Sacks was schooled as a professional horn player at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the Conservatorium van Amsterdam...
and Kalan Müzik
Kalan Müzik
Kalan Müzik or Kalan Music for the West is a Turkish independent record label company based in Istanbul. It was founded in 1991 by Hasan Saltık. It specializes in releasing Saltık's recordings of classical and traditional ethnic and folk music from Turkey and the surrounding region. It is sometimes...
recording labels.
Major works
- Capriccio Tempestoso (10', 2010)
Orchestra: 2-1-2-1; 2-2-2-1; timp, perc (1); solo harp; strings
- La Chapelle d'Aiguilhe: Concerto for Cello & Orchestra (18', 2008)
Orchestra: 2-2-2-2; 2-2-0-0; timp.; solo cello; strings
Commissioned for Xavier Phillips and the Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire
Program Note
- Mosaics (for wind quintet, 8', 2008)
Commissioned by the Alpha Lambda chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia is an American collegiate social fraternity for men with a special interest in music...
Fraternity of Illinois Wesleyan University
- Villanelle (for violin and harp, 15', 2006)
Commissioned for Lavinia Meijer
Lavinia Meijer
Lavinia Meijer is a Dutch harpist.-Education:When she was 11 years old, Lavinia was accepted by Erika Waardenburg to study at the Young Talent Department of the Utrecht Conservatory...
and Tjeerd Top.
Program Note
- Solace (17’, 2005)
Orchestra: 3-3-3-3; 4-3-3-1; timp., 3 perc., pno./cel., harp, strings
Program Note
- Concerto for Piano & Chamber Orchestra (15’, 2003)
Piano Solo & Chamber Orchestra: 1111; 1111; 2 perc, hp, 2111
Commissioned by the Indiana University New Music Ensemble
Program Note
- Persist (13’, 2003)
For eight cellos
Commissioned by Florent Renard-Payen and the Tarab Cello Ensemble
- Triptyclysm (16’, 2002)
For percussion trio
Commissioned by Tonus Percussion Group
- Visions in Twilight (8’, 2000)
Harp solo
Written for Fatma Ceren Necipoğlu
Fatma Ceren Necipoğlu
Fatma Ceren Necipoğlu was a Turkish harpist and university lecturer for piano and harp. She was aboard Air France Flight 447 from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to Paris, France, which disappeared over the Atlantic Ocean on 1 June 2009....
Available from Lyon & Healy West
- The Flames of Imbolc (12', 1999)
Orchestra: 3-3-3-3; 4-3-3-1; timp., 3 perc.; strings
Program Note
External links
- Musica Cosmopoita, Byrnes' home site, with a complete list of works and recent & upcoming performances.
- Channel Classics, Channel Classics site, with CD information listing Byrnes' work "Visions in Twilight".
- Kalan Müzik, Kalan Müzik site, with CD information listing Byrnes' works "Visions in Twilight" and "Amhrán Slán".