DOUGLAS GEERS
Doug’s Personal Statement: "For me, life, both artistically and
in a wider sense, is an exciting and continuing journey. I enjoy new
challenges, and I love to interact and collaborate with others. In my
music, I try to communicate some of the joys and sorrows I have
witnessed and experienced in my living thus far. From the romance and
teenage angst of the pop songs I wrote in high school to my recent
multimedia violin concerto, I have always tried in my music to remain
true to myself and my desire to convey ideas and feelings to others. I
believe that a contemporary composer can like both Iannis Xenakis and
Björk, for instance, without feeling awkward about it; and I
investigate how to best reconcile these sound worlds in each piece I
write."
Douglas Geers first began composing with computers shortly after his
Dad brought home an Atari 800 in 1983. Since then, he has composed in a
wide range of musical styles, including classical concert music, pop
songs, television and film scores, and electroacoustic music. He now
focuses on composing for instruments with live electronics, often in
multimedia contexts -- such as his recent opera, Calling, and
2002’s Gilgamesh, a 70-minute theatrical concerto.
Born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio (USA), Doug studied via
scholarships at Xavier University (B.A. in English and Music), the
Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (Master of Music), and
Columbia University (D.M.A. in Composition). At Columbia, he studied
with Fred Lerdahl, Tristan Murail, Brad Garton, and Jonathan Kramer.
Doug is currently employed as Associate Professor of Music Composition
and Director of Electronic Music Studios at the University of
Minnesota, USA.
Doug’s music has been performed worldwide, on concerts and
festivals including · ISCM (International Society for
Contemporary Music) World Music Days 2003 · ICMC (International
Computer Music Conference) · SEAMUS (Society for Electroacoustic
Music in the United States) National Conference · The Seoul
International Computer Music Festival 2001 · Festival Synthese
Bourges Open Work Program.
Musicians who have played his work include · The Radio-Television Orchestra of Slovenia · Speculum Musicae · Ensemble Fa · Ensemble Pi · The Princeton University Laptop Orchestra (PLOrk) · Slavko
Osterc Ensemble · Experimental Studio of the Heinrich
Strobel Stiftung · Maja Cerar · NODUS Ensemble
· The New York University New Music and Dance Ensemble ·
Zeitgeist · The University of Minnesota Contemporary Music Ensemble · University of Minnesota Jazz Ensemble · University of Cincinnati Contemporary Music Ensemble.
Doug has also won grants and awards, including · McKnight Composer Fellowship, 2007 · Jerome Composers Commission, 2007 · Argosy Foundation Commission, 2007 · Fulbright
Scholarship (2000-01) · Composers Commissioning Project prize
from the American Composers Forum (2001) · Roth-Thomson award
(2000).
