CLINT NEEDHAM
CLINT NEEDHAM
The music of Clint Needham (b. 1981, Texarkana, TX) has been described as “wildly entertaining” (New York Times), “easy to smile at” (Philadelphia Inquirer), and “fresh and spicy” (Courier-Post). Recently named recipient of a Charles Ives Scholarship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, Clint’s music has been recognized with two ASCAP Morton Gould Awards, the William Schuman Prize/BMI Student Composer Award, the Jacob Druckman Prize from the Aspen Music Festival, First Prize in the International Ticheli Composition Contest, the Heckscher Prize from Ithaca College, a Lee Ettelson Composer Award and the coveted Underwood New Music Commission from the American Composers Orchestra.
Clint’s orchestral music has been commissioned and performed by the American Composers Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, the Aspen Concert Orchestra, Cabrillo Festival Orchestra, Cleveland Chamber Symphony, New York Youth Symphony in Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall, the Omaha Symphony, and Symphony in C. Various chamber groups including the American Brass Quintet, Aspen Contemporary Ensemble, Indiana University New Music Ensemble, Ithaca College’s KULMUSIK, Quintet Attacca, Stanford Wind Quintet, and the Wingra Woodwind Quintet have given performances of his chamber music across the country and in Europe.
Commissions for the 2010-2011 season include orchestral works for the New York Classical Players, the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra, the Sioux City Symphony, and the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra as well as a new work for soprano and wind ensemble for the United States Air Force Band of the West.
Clint recently earned his doctorate degree from Indiana University, where he was a four-year Jacobs School of Music Doctoral Fellow in composition. He also received his MM from Indiana University in 2006 and his BM from Baldwin-Wallace College in 2004. His principal composition teachers include Claude Baker, Loris Chobanian, David Dzubay, Michael Gandolfi, Per Mårtensson, Sven-David Sandström, and Richard Wernick. Clint has also studied with Robert Beaser, Syd Hodkinson, Christopher Rouse, and George Tsontakis at the Aspen Music Festival as a Susan and Ford Schumann composition fellow and with Mario Davidovsky at the Wellesley Composers Conference as a composition fellow.
The American Brass Quintet has recorded his Brass Quintet No. 1 “Circus” on their 2007 Summit Records release entitled “Jewels”. Clint’s music is published by the Theodore Presser Company with additional works published by Manhattan Beach Music and Triplo Press.
More information about the composer can be found at www.clintneedham.com
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 | 2010: Charles Ives Scholarship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters | | 2010: Indiana University Deans Prize for orchestral composition | | 2010: Special Distinction, ASCAP/Rudolf Nissim Prize | | 2009: ASCAP/Morton Gould Young Composer Award | | 2009: Composition Fellowship from the Composers Conference at Wellesley College | | 2009: First Prize, International Frank Ticheli Composition Contest | | 2009: SCI/ASCAP Student Composer Commission | | 2008: Composition Fellowship from the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music | | 2008: Heckscher Composition Prize from Ithaca College | | 2008: Jacob Druckman Prize from the Aspen Music Festival | | 2008: Lee Ettelson Award from Composers, Inc. | | 2008: Symphony in C Young Composers’ Competition Award | | 2007: ASCAP/Morton Gould Young Composer Award | | 2007: First Music Orchestral Commission from the New York Youth Symphony | | 2007: Underwood New Music Commission from the American Composers Orchestra | | 2007: William Schuman Prize/BMI Student Composer Award | | 2006: Washington International Competition for Composers (2nd Prize) | | 2005: Susan and Ford Schumann Composition Fellowship from the Aspen Music Festival | | 2004: International Trumpet Guild Composition Contest (2nd Prize) |
Radiant Nation for Wind Ensemble (2008) -- 6'30"
2 Picc.(2nd d.Fl.) 2 Fl. 2Ob. E.H.(opt.) Cl.(Eb) 3Cl.(Bb) B.Cl. 2A.Sax. Ten.Sax. Bar.Sax. 2Bsn. Cbsn.(opt.) 4Hn. 3Tpt. 2Tbn. B.Tbn. Euph. Tu. Cb.(opt.) Timp. 3Perc. Hp. Pno.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: (orchestra version) July 30, 2008. Cabrillo Festival Orchestra, conducted by Marin Alsop. Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, Santa Cruz, CA.
Additional Information: Percussion (3 players):
1. Drum Set: kick drum, 3 toms (high-low), hi-hat, splash cymbal, 2 cowbells, triangle
2. Glockenspiel, bass drum, tambourine, tam-tam, china cymbal, medium suspended cymbal, sizzle cymbal, high-pitched brake drum, 2 triangles, police whistle
3. Vibraphone, Marimba, bass drum, bongos, tam-tam, medium suspended cymbal, splash cymbal, shaker
Axioms for Ensemble -- 10'30"
Fl. Cl. Perc. Pno. Vln. Vla. Vcl.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: Aspen Contemporary Ensemble, Sydney Hodkinson, conductor, Aspen Music Festival’s Harris Hall, July 14, 2005
Brass Quintet No. 1 "Circus" -- 10'
2Tpt. Hn. Tbn. B.Tbn./Tu.
Premiere Information: Aspen Student Brass Quintet, Aspen Music Festival’s Harris Hall, August 2003
• Recordings
Five Movements for Wind Quintet -- 7'
Fl. Ob. Cl. Bsn. Hn.
Premiere Information: Aspen Student Wind Quintet, Aspen Music Festival’s Harris Hall, August 10, 2007
String Quartet No. 1 “shades of green” -- 17'
2Vln. Vla. Vcl.
Premiere Information: Kuttner String Quartet, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music’s Ford
Recital Hall, April 2006
Above the Tree Line -- 12'
1 1 1 1 – 1 0 0 0; Perc. Hp. Pno. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: Indiana University Chamber Players, Charles Latshaw, conductor, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music’s Recital Hall, April 17, 2007
Chamber Symphony -- 21'
1 1 2 1 – 1 1 1 1; 3Perc. Hp. Pno./Cel. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Commissioned by the American Composers Orchestra with the generous support of Paul
Underwood and with additional support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Premiere Information: American Composers Orchestra, Jeffrey Milarsky, conductor, Carnegie Hall’s Zankel Hall, November 14, 2008
Movements:
• I. Hammering Out
• II. Open-ended Echoes
• III. Radiant Nation
• Reviews
Crossing Brooklyn Ferry -- 14'
Solo Bar.; 1 1 1 1 – 1 1 1 1; 2Perc. Hp. Pno./Cel. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Commissioned by the Indiana University New Music Ensemble
Premiere Information: Indiana University New Music Ensemble, Benjamin Bolter, conductor, Ferris Allen, Baritone, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music’s Auer Hall, April 17, 2008
Driving Music for String Orchestra (2010) -- 10'
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Commissioned by the New York Classical Players for their inaugural concert
Premiere Information: 2nd, 3rd October, 2010. New York Classical Players, conducted by Dongmin Kim; Chodae Community Church, Norwood, NJ (2nd), The Church of Heavenly Rest, New York, NY (3rd)
Earth and Green -- 13'
3 3 3 3 – 4 3 3 1; Timp. 3Perc. Hp. Pno. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: Aspen Concert Orchestra, Larry Rachleff, conductor, Aspen Music Festival’s Benedict Music Tent, August 13, 2008
Movements:
• I. Enticing Fires
• II. Calm Reflections
Everyday Life for Orchestra (2012) -- 9'
3 (Picc.) 2 2 2; 4 3 3(B.Tbn) 1; Timp. 3Perc. Hp. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: January 12th, 2013. Albany Symphony Orchestra, David Alan Miller, conductor; Palace Theatre, Albany, NY.
• Reviews
Inside & Out (2010) -- 7'30"
3(Picc.) 3(E.H.) 3(B.Cl.) 2 – 4 3 3 1; Timp. 4Perc. Hp. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Commission Information: Commissioned by the Sioux City Symphony.
Premiere Information: 16th April, 2011. Sioux City Symphony, conducted by Ryan Haskins, Orpheum Theater, Sioux City, IA.
Radiant Nation -- 6'30"
2 2 2 2 – 2 2 2 1; Timp. 3Perc. Hp. Pno. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: Cabrillo Festival Orchestra, Richard McKay & Evan Rogister, conductors, Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music at the Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, July 30, 2008
• Reviews
Southern Air (2011) -- 8'
3(Picc.) 2 2 2 – 4 3 3 1; Timp. 4Perc. Hp. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: 9th April, 2011. Texarkana Symphony, conducted by Marc-André Bougie; Perot Theatre, Texarkana, TX.
the Body Electric for Chamber Orchestra (2009) -- 8'
1(d.Picc.) 1 1(d.B.Cl.) 1 – 1 1 1 0; 2Perc. Pno. Str.(4 2 2 2 1)
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: 1st August, 2009. Wellesley Composers Conference Chamber Players, conducted by James Baker. Jewett Arts Center, Wellesley College, MA.
the Body Electric for Orchestra (2006) -- 8'
2(d.Picc.) 2 2(d.B.Cl.) 2 – 2 2 2(B.Tbn.) 0; Timp. 2Perc. Hp. Pno. Str.
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: 1st August, 2009. Wellesley Composers Conference Chamber Players, conducted by James Baker. Jewett Arts Center, Wellesley College, MA.
• Reviews
Urban Sprawl (2011) -- 6'45"
1(d.Picc.) 1(d.E.H.) 2(Eb.Cl. B.Cl.) 1 – 1 1 1 0; Perc. Drum Set, Pno. Str.(solo or section)
Available from the Presser Rental Library
Premiere Information: 16th July, 2011; Alarm Will Sound, Mizzou New Music Summer Festival, Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO.
When We Forget (2011) -- 11'
2(d.Picc.) 2 2 2 – 2 2 1 0; 2Perc. Pno. Str.
Commission Information: Commissioned as part of Orpheus Chamber Orchestra's Project 440
Premiere Information: 22nd, 24th March, 2012. Orpheus Chamber Orchestra; Lafayette College, Easton, PA (22nd), Carnegie Hall, New York, NY (24th)
• Reviews
"Clint Needham writes complex and compelling music where every detail is carefully considered."-American Composers Orchestra"Clint Needham knows how to both orchestrate and create a compelling music narrative. His music demonstrates remarkable range and color."-Robert Beaser, The Juilliard School
"Needham said his inspiration came from his three young children and indeed, the work was full of a boisterous energy, sunny harmonies, and strongly accented rhythms.
Needham knows how to orchestrate with a clarity and his use of the orchestra’s various colors was impressive."-Geraldine Freedman, The Daily Gazette"The other moment of big applause occurred for a young composer named Clint Needham, whose nine-minute “Everyday Life” had its world premiere…
…a Pixar-like pastiche of beautiful, string-filled cinematic passages interrupted by percussive jolts and then full-orchestra frenetic playing, which helped to build the tension."-Michael Janairo, TimesUnion.com
"…stunning…
Inspired by Mr. Needham’s research into Alzheimer’s disease, this brilliantly orchestrated score is both dreamy and harrowing."-Allan Kozinn, New York Times
"...the conflict that raged through much of Clint Needham's "the Body Electric" subsided to expose a calm center that sounded like a stroll through a Japanese garden."-Rob Hubbard, Pioneer Press"Clint Needham’s “The Body Electric,” winner of the Jacobs School’s 2010 Dean’s Prize for Composition. It proved a worthy prize winner.
…riveting…
The music generates passion.
The orchestration is rich in colors and, unlike so many works of contemporary composers, especially young ones on the professional make, “The Body Electric” does not overuse percussion, an oft-times too-easy substitute for inspiration.
What’s more, the piece, of about 10 minutes in duration, made its integrated case compactly and, that again, is a measure of the composer’s talent. “The Body Electric” approximated a successful overture. That’s a compliment."-Peter Jacobi, Herald-Times (Bloomington, IN)
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"Campaign rhetoric trumpeted by strings and winds? That was Clint Needham's kickoff point for his Radiant Nation, the work Symphony in C played as the prize winner in its Young Composer's Competition. The Texas-born Needham uses no words to capture the spirit of the Obama election, but slyly turns instruments into voices declaiming, snipping and even bloviating on his themes of hope and sardonic comment.
Although his aim was specific, he was doing what composers do, shaping moods and contrasts by graphic and subtle instrumental touches. His piece moves from high strings with quiet piano to a kind of sonic battleground in which lyrical moments survive trombone glissandos and the metrical energy of the orchestra pushes time and color forward.
Needham, a doctoral student at Indiana University, uses a large orchestra with lots of percussion, but his music is transparent as he makes every instrument count. It was easy to smile at this piece, for it captures a sense of giddy overstatement - the stuff of campaign rhetoric - within its below-the-surface dignity."-Daniel Webster, Philadelphia Inquirer"a tight, vibrant work with no fanfares or pomp. It's sure to prompt nodding heads and tapping feet.
Daniel Dorff (Symphony in C’s Composer-in-Residence) praised Radiant Nation, particularly its straightforward drive and overall unity. "It's one story, one trip, one piece of DNA," Dorff said. "It's fresh and spicy, and he really keeps it interesting."-Dave Allen, Courier-Post"The orchestra capped the evening with a speedy but tasteful performance of Clint Needham’s Chamber Symphony. The outer movements were raucous - especially the first, with its heavy brass and cowbell - and framed a reflective middle, titled “Open-Ended Echoes.” Here Needham did away with constant pulse, the hallmark of American Minimalism, and scored a warm, throbbing movement for strings, in which all the principal players gave lovely, resonant solos. Needham said the piece was originally inspired by the 2008 presidential races, and that seemed most appropriate in the third movement, “Radiant Nation,” as speeding phrases played in canon seemed to elbow one another out of the way. Appropriate to the outcome of Needham’s source of inspiration, the piece ended with a big surge and a joyous noise. This composer - ...and this country, our very own radiant nation - is headed for big things."-Dave Allen, Phawker.com
"The concert ended with the Chamber Symphony by Clint Needham, another alumnus of the Underwood readings. Intentionally or not, the title proposed a possible lineage. Whereas John Adams describes his Chamber Symphony as a mix of Schoenberg’s first work by that name and the zany energy of Road Runner cartoons, Mr. Needham’s frenetic, wildly entertaining piece suggests a mix of Mr. Adams’s music, “The Simpsons” and a two-liter bottle of Cherry Coke, consumed in a single gulp."-Steve Smith, The New York Times
Page last updated October 23, 2012
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