Andrew Earle Simpson
Andrew Earle Simpson, composer and pianist, is associate professor and chair of the division of Theory and Composition at the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music of The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. A composer of opera, orchestral, silent film, chamber, choral, and vocal music, his most recent projects reflect an interest in theatrical music and humanistic subjects. He has received awards and grants from such organizations as the American Music Center, American Composers Forum, The Alice M. Ditson Fund of Columbia University, The Loeb Classical Library Foundation, and the Maryland State Arts Council, among many others.
Simpson’s music has been performed across the United States and abroad by such ensembles as the Cedar Rapids Symphony Chamber Players, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Contemporary Music Forum, counter)induction, Tampa Bay Composers Forum, Red Cedar Trio, Great Noise Ensemble, Lyralos Ensemble (Greece), Catholic University Opera Theater, Cantate Chamber Singers, National Children’s Choir, Metropolitan Youth Orchestra Children’s Choir (NY), numerous other professional and university ensembles, and by such conductors and performers as Theodore Antoniou, Tim Hankewich, Marvin Hamlisch, Brian Ganz, Michael Cameron, Nancy Ambrose King, and Tim McAllister.
An active silent film composer, pianist, and organist, Simpson is performing original scores in the 2007-08 season at the National Gallery of Art, Library of Congress, National Museum of Women in the Arts, the AFI Silver Theater (Silver Spring, MD), and New York Public Library (as part of the “Meet the Music Makers” Series).
Simpson also created, and currently directs, the Master of Music in Composition, Stage Music Emphasis program, which opened at Catholic University in August 2005. This innovative graduate program, unique in its scope, combines practical training in collaborative and theatrical composition with professional academic coursework.
Andrew Earle Simpson is currently Composer-in-Residence for the Red Cedar Trio (Cedar Rapids, IA) and recently completed a term as Composer-in-Residence with the Cantate Chamber Singers (Bethesda, MD). Capstone Records released his new CD of chamber music, A Fiery and Still Night: Chamber Music by Andrew Earle Simpson, in August 2006. Red Cedar will release a CD devoted entirely to Simpson’s works on the Fleur de Son Classics label in 2009.
- Lotus and Poppy (2007)