David Avshalomov

{{Infobox classical composer

| name = David Avshalomov

| image =

| caption =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1946|05|06}}

| birth_place = New York City, New York, U.S

}}

David Avshalomov (born 6 May 1946{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=29vPDQAAQBAJ&pg=PA3|title=The Band Music Handbook: A Catalog of Emerging Band Repertoire|author=Christopher M. Cicconi|date=16 February 2017|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishers|isbn=978-1-4422-6864-7}}) is a third generation classical composer, singer, and conductor. David is the son of Jacob Avshalomov{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SH0UAQAAIAAJ|title=The concerts reviewed: 65 years of the Portland Youth Philharmonic|author=Jacob Avshalomov|date=1 April 1991|publisher=Amadeus Press|isbn=978-0-931340-28-4|page=307}} and grandson of Aaron Avshalomov{{Cite web|url=https://www.naxos.com/person/David_Avshalomov_22791/22791.htm|title=David Avshalomov- Bio, Albums, Pictures – Naxos Classical Music.|website=www.naxos.com|access-date=2017-11-23}} who were both distinguished classical musicians. As a composer, he has been commissioned by several orchestras such as the San Jose Chamber Orchestra, Mission Chamber Orchestra, Oddysea Chorus of Lisbon, and the Anglican Chorale of Southern California.{{Cite news|url=http://projectencore.org/david-avshalomov|title=David Avshalomov|date=2014-12-04|work=PROJECT : ENCORE™|access-date=2017-11-23|language=en}} He is also a vocalist - having served in the United States Air Force as a Singing Sergeant{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JHnJCwAAQBAJ&pg=PT226|title=The Force of Destiny: The Life and Times of Colonel Arnald D. Gabriel|author=Michael A. Gabriel|date=16 March 2016|publisher=iUniverse|isbn=978-1-4917-8850-9|page=226}} - and conductor.

Life

Son of composer Jacob Avshalomov and his wife Doris, David Avshalomov was born on May 6, 1946, in New York City, New York. He grew up in Oregon where his father, Jacob, served as the music director for the Portland Junior Symphony.{{Cite news|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/performance/index.ssf/2013/04/jacob_avshalomov_longtime_dire.html|title=Jacob Avshalomov, longtime director of Portland Youth Philharmonic, dies|work=OregonLive.com|access-date=2017-12-13|language=en-US}} Avshalomov enjoyed music from a young age, claiming that he "learned the joys of madrigal singing at home".{{Cite web|url=http://davidavshalomov.com/about/about-the-artist/|title=About the Artist {{!}} David Avshalomov - Composer, Singer, Conductor|website=davidavshalomov.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-12-13}} He studied music theory and composition throughout grade school, and eventually continued these studies at both Harvard University and the University of Washington. Avshalomov would later serve a tour of duty in the United States Air Force as a Singing Sergeant, during which he composed several works - including his Spring Rondo. He now lives in Santa Monica, California, where he manages his label "Raven Music".

Education

Avshalomov is an alumnus of both Harvard University and the University of Washington.

= Harvard =

In his senior year, Avshalomov performed with the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra as a percussionist in their performance of Darius Milhauld's "Percussion Concerto".{{Cite web|url=http://www.thecrimson.com/article/1967/3/11/no-noisemaker-pto-the-editors-of/|title=NO NOISEMAKER {{!}} News {{!}} The Harvard Crimson|website=www.thecrimson.com|language=en|access-date=2017-11-30}} He later graduated from Harvard in 1967 with a baccalaureate in Music. Avshalomov was one of ninety-nine seniors to receive honors from the Phi Beta Kappa chapter that year,{{Cite web|url=http://www.thecrimson.com/article/1967/6/13/phi-beta-kappa-names-99-seniors/|title=Phi Beta Kappa Names 99 Seniors Honors Them in Ceremony Today {{!}} News {{!}} The Harvard Crimson|website=www.thecrimson.com|language=en|access-date=2017-11-30}} writing his honor's thesis on "the melodic use of kettledrums in Western music".{{Cite thesis|last=Avshalomov|first=David.|title=The melodic use of kettledrums in Western music.|date=1967|url=https://uwashington.on.worldcat.org/oclc/79102126}}

= University of Washington =

Avshalomov began performing with the University of Washington (abbreviated "UW") Symphony Orchestra as early as October 1967, operating as the Orchestra's timpani player.{{Cite web|url=https://digital.lib.washington.edu/researchworks/bitstream/handle/1773/28549/923.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y|title=UW Symphony Program Notes (October 1967)|website=digital.lib.washington.edu}} He maintained this position throughout his time at the university while branching out into other positions within the artistic department. Avshalomov performed for UW's "Contemporary Group" in 1968,{{Cite web|url=https://alliance-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=CP71225466000001451&context=L&vid=UW&search_scope=all&tab=default_tab&lang=en_US|title=alliance-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=CP71225466000001451&context=L&vid=UW&search_scope=all&tab=default_tab&lang=en_US|website=alliance-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com|language=en|access-date=2017-12-13}} '72,{{Cite web|url=https://alliance-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=CP71225516260001451&context=L&vid=UW&search_scope=all&tab=default_tab&lang=en_US|title=alliance-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=CP71225516260001451&context=L&vid=UW&search_scope=all&tab=default_tab&lang=en_US|website=alliance-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com|language=en|access-date=2017-12-13}} '73,{{Cite web|url=https://alliance-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=CP71192559820001451&context=L&vid=UW&search_scope=all&tab=default_tab&lang=en_US|title=alliance-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=CP71192559820001451&context=L&vid=UW&search_scope=all&tab=default_tab&lang=en_US|website=alliance-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com|language=en|access-date=2017-12-13}} '74,{{Cite web|url=https://alliance-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=CP71215749930001451&context=L&vid=UW&search_scope=all&tab=default_tab&lang=en_US|title=alliance-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=CP71215749930001451&context=L&vid=UW&search_scope=all&tab=default_tab&lang=en_US|website=alliance-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com|language=en|access-date=2017-12-13}} and 1975 - when he served as the conductor for the group.{{Cite web|url=https://digital.lib.washington.edu/researchworks/bitstream/handle/1773/32937/5336.pdf?sequence=1|title=Contemporary Group - 1975}} He also conducted several of the university's operas, such as scenes from Act II of Madam Butterfly.{{Cite web|url=https://digital.lib.washington.edu/researchworks/bitstream/handle/1773/29030/1397.pdf?sequence=1|title=UW School of Music 1974 Opera Notes}} In 1976 he published his doctoral dissertation on the Five Pieces for Orchestra by Arnold Schoenberg, earning him his Doctor of Musical Arts.{{Cite web|url=https://alliance-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=CP71116923810001451&context=L&vid=UW&search_scope=all&tab=default_tab&lang=en_US|title=alliance-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/primo-explore/fulldisplay?docid=CP71116923810001451&context=L&vid=UW&search_scope=all&tab=default_tab&lang=en_US|website=alliance-primo.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com|language=en|access-date=2017-12-13}}

Awards/Recognition

American Prize for band composition in 2014 (3rd prize){{Cite web|url=http://www.theamericanprize.org/compwinners2013.html|title=Composition Winners 2014|website=www.theamericanprize.org|language=en|access-date=2017-12-13}}
American Prize for band composition in 2016 (2nd prize){{Cite web|url=http://theamericanprize.blogspot.com/2017/01/composer-winners-bandwind-ensemble-2016.html|title=The American Prize: COMPOSER WINNERS: band/wind ensemble, 2016|last=David|date=2017-01-23|website=The American Prize|access-date=2017-12-13}}
International Orange Chorale of San Francisco Choral Composition Contest{{Cite news|url=https://www.iocsf.org/david_avshalomov_s_o_euchari_columba_wins_our_2016_composer_competition|title=David Avshalomov's O Euchari Columba wins our 2016 Composer Competition!|work=International Orange Chorale of San Francisco|access-date=2017-12-13|language=en|archive-date=2019-08-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190826181638/https://www.iocsf.org/david_avshalomov_s_o_euchari_columba_wins_our_2016_composer_competition|url-status=dead}}

Compositions

= Band =

Cornucopia of Rounds (1980)
Glockenspiel March (1968, rev. 1997)
Last Stand, The (2013) - American Prize winner for band composition in 2014 (3rd prize)
Lifeboat Variations (1979, rev. 2014)
Prime Time [Toccata Brillante] (2000)
Hill Dance (transcribed 2015){{Cite web|url=http://fogsparrow.wpengine.com/musical-works/band/#Hill|title=Band Music » Modern Repertoire for Concert Band by David Avshalomov|website=fogsparrow.wpengine.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-12-13}} - American Prize winner for band composition in 2016 (2nd prize)
Spring Rondo (1971)

= Choral =

O Euchari Columba (2006){{Cite web|url=http://fogsparrow.wpengine.com/musical-works/chorus/#Euchari|title=Chorus {{!}} David Avshalomov - Composer, Singer, Conductor|website=fogsparrow.wpengine.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-12-13}} - Winner of International Orange Chorale of San Francisco Choral Composition Contest (2016)
I Bend the Knee of My Heart (2006)

= Orchestra =

Elegy (1989) - Written for string orchestra; in memory of Leonard Bernstein{{Cite web|url=http://fogsparrow.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/NT_Elegy-full.pdf|title=Elegy for Sting Orchestra Composer Notes|last=Avshalomov|first=David}}