Thomas Wells (composer)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Wells is an American composer
, pianist
, organist
, and arts-organization administrator.
in 1960 with Kent Kennan
and Clifton Williams
. He received his Bachelor of Music
(1966) and D.M.A.
(1969) degrees from that institution, studying with Hunter Johnson. Wells founded the University of Texas Electronic Music Studio in 1967 and served as its director until 1975. He was accepted in Karlheinz Stockhausen
's Composition Studio in Darmstadt in 1968, and participated in the project "Musik für ein Haus" (Stockhausen 1971, 217, 222). Wells joined the faculty of the Ohio State University
School of Music in 1976, and continues to teach there as Professor of Composition and Director of the Sound Synthesis Studios. In addition, he has served as guest professor and artist in residence at the University of Novi Sad
(Serbia), Johannes Gutenberg University (Mainz), and Ball State University
. His works have been performed throughout the U.S., Europe, Japan, and Korea, and by orchestras and ensembles such as the Dallas Symphony Orchestra
, Spokane Symphony
, Columbus Symphony, and the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble
.
He has received grants and commissions from the National Endowment for the Arts
, Ohio Arts Council
, Ohio Humanities Council, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts
, and the Texas Commission on the Arts. Wells received the Governor's Award in the State of Ohio for Outstanding Individual Artist in 1990. He hosted the 1984 Society of Composers National Conference (Frank Zappa
, keynote speaker), and the 1989 International Computer Music Conference
, both at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. He is active in the 1500-member Society of Composers, serving as its president from 2002 to the present.
, Stockhausen, electroacoustic music
, and spectral music
. When he was 18, Wells met Karlheinz Stockhausen and hearing that composer's electroacoustic music for the first time marked the foundation of Wells' aesthetics in that medium.
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...
, pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
, organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
, and arts-organization administrator.
Biography
Thomas Wells began his formal composition studies at the University of Texas at AustinUniversity of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
in 1960 with Kent Kennan
Kent Kennan
Kent Wheeler Kennan was an American composer, author, educator, and professor....
and Clifton Williams
Clifton Williams (composer)
James Clifton Williams Jr. was born in Traskwood, Arkansas, United States. He began playing French horn, piano, and mellophone early on and played in the band at Little Rock High School...
. He received his 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...
(1966) and D.M.A.
Doctor of Musical Arts
The Doctor of Musical Arts degree is a doctoral academic degree in music. The D.M.A. combines advanced studies in an applied area of specialization with graduate-level academic study in subjects such as music history, music theory, or music pedagogy. The D.M.A...
(1969) degrees from that institution, studying with Hunter Johnson. Wells founded the University of Texas Electronic Music Studio in 1967 and served as its director until 1975. He was accepted in Karlheinz Stockhausen
Karlheinz Stockhausen
Karlheinz Stockhausen was a German composer, widely acknowledged by critics as one of the most important but also controversial composers of the 20th and early 21st centuries. Another critic calls him "one of the great visionaries of 20th-century music"...
's Composition Studio in Darmstadt in 1968, and participated in the project "Musik für ein Haus" (Stockhausen 1971, 217, 222). Wells joined the faculty of the Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
School of Music in 1976, and continues to teach there as Professor of Composition and Director of the Sound Synthesis Studios. In addition, he has served as guest professor and artist in residence at the University of Novi Sad
University of Novi Sad
The University of Novi Sad is a university located in Novi Sad, the capital of Serbian province of Vojvodina and the second largest city in Serbia....
(Serbia), Johannes Gutenberg University (Mainz), and 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...
. His works have been performed throughout the U.S., Europe, Japan, and Korea, and by orchestras and ensembles such as the Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra. It performs its concerts in the Meyerson Symphony Center in the Arts District of downtown Dallas, Texas, United States....
, Spokane Symphony
Spokane Symphony
The Spokane Symphony is a 70-piece orchestra based in Spokane, WA that performs more than 60 concerts per year for more than 150,000 listeners. It was originally incorporated in 1945 as the Spokane Philharmonic before being renamed the Spokane Symphony in 1962...
, Columbus Symphony, and the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble
Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble
The Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble is an American ensemble dedicated to the performance of contemporary classical music. Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the group was established by composer David Stock in 1976. It has premiered over 200 works and is a major regional cultural attraction...
.
He has received grants and commissions from the National Endowment for the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts is an independent agency of the United States federal government that offers support and funding for projects exhibiting artistic excellence. It was created by an act of the U.S. Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. Its current...
, Ohio Arts Council
Ohio Arts Council
The Ohio Arts Council is an agency serving the U.S. state of Ohio.Established in 1965, its mission is to "foster and encourage the development of the arts and assist the preservation of Ohio's cultural heritage." Each year it awards grants to arts organizations and individuals throughout the state...
, Ohio Humanities Council, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts
Pennsylvania Council on the Arts
The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts is an agency serving the U.S. state of Pennsylvania.Established in 1966, its mission is "to foster the excellence, diversity and vitality of the arts in Pennsylvania and to broaden the availability and appreciation of those arts throughout the state." Each year...
, and the Texas Commission on the Arts. Wells received the Governor's Award in the State of Ohio for Outstanding Individual Artist in 1990. He hosted the 1984 Society of Composers National Conference (Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa
Frank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
, keynote speaker), and the 1989 International Computer Music Conference
International Computer Music Conference
The International Computer Music Conference is a yearly international conference for computer music researchers and composers. It is the annual conference of the International Computer Music Association ....
, both at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. He is active in the 1500-member Society of Composers, serving as its president from 2002 to the present.
Musical style and influences
Wells' instrumental music is strongly influenced by VarèseEdgard Varèse
Edgard Victor Achille Charles Varèse, , whose name was also spelled Edgar Varèse , was an innovative French-born composer who spent the greater part of his career in the United States....
, Stockhausen, electroacoustic music
Electroacoustic music
Electroacoustic music originated in Western art music during its modern era following the incorporation of electric sound production into compositional practice. The initial developments in electroacoustic music composition during the mid-20th century are associated with the activities of composers...
, and spectral music
Spectral music
Spectral music is a musical composition practice where compositional decisions are often informed by the analysis of sound spectra. Computer-based sound spectrum analysis using tools like DFT, FFT, and spectrograms...
. When he was 18, Wells met Karlheinz Stockhausen and hearing that composer's electroacoustic music for the first time marked the foundation of Wells' aesthetics in that medium.
Selected compositions
- Tango Orillero for piano (2011) 4'
- Souvenirs/Resolutions for trumpet ensemble (2011) 10'
- Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Saxophone Octet (2010) 14'
- Premonitions for alto saxophone, computer-generated sounds (2010) 13'
- Mersenne's Dream for alto saxophone, computer-generated sounds (2009) 11'
- Sechs TraklGeorg TraklGeorg Trakl was an Austrian poet. He is considered one of the most important Austrian Expressionists.- Life and work :Trakl was born and lived the first 18 years of his life in Salzburg, Austria...
Gesänge for tenor, chorus, orchestra (2008) 45' - Concerto for Flute and Chamber Orchestra (2005) 30'
- Ehlecatl for flute solo (2003) 7'
- Riflessioni for Chamber Orchestra (2003) 12'
- Voces Intimae, electroacoustic music (2003)
- Kisa, electroacoustic music (2002) 8'
- Aus tiefer Not for clarinet solo (2001) 7'
- Adieu for wind ensemble (1999) 14'
- Into Darkness, electroacoustic music (1997) 7'
- Threnos for saxophone quartet, percussion (1997) 12'
- Concerto for Piano and Chamber Orchestra (1992) 28'
Discography
- Thomas Wells. 1987. 11.2.72, Electronic Music. CRI (LP), SD443
- Thomas Wells. 2002. Echoes from the Southern: A Ragtime Overture. ProMusica: Live at the Southern; ProMusica Chamber Orchestra of Columbus (CD 2001).
External links
- Message from the President (Wells), Society of Composers
- Thomas Wells, Ohio State University School of Music