Don Freund facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Don Freund
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Don Freund at home in 2008
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| Born | 1947 (age 78–79) |
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Don Freund, born in 1947 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is an American composer and pianist. He is also a Professor of Composition at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. He has created over 100 musical pieces. These include music for solo instruments, small groups (chamber music), and large orchestras. He also combines live music with electronic instruments.
Don Freund has won several important awards for his work. These include a Guggenheim Fellowship and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts. These awards recognize his talent and contributions to music.
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Don Freund's Education Journey
Don Freund started his higher education at Duquesne University. He earned his first degree there in 1969. He then continued his studies at the Eastman School of Music. He received his master's degree in 1970 and his doctorate in 1972.
Teaching Music to Students
Don Freund began his career as a professor in 1972. He became the head of the composition department at Memphis State University. In 1992, he moved to the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. He still teaches there today, sharing his knowledge with new musicians.
Understanding Music Modes: The Spectrum of Fifths
Freund developed an interesting idea called the "spectrum of fifths." This theory helps explain why different musical modes make us feel different emotions. Think of it like colors having different feelings.
The idea comes from the circle of fifths. This is a tool often used to teach music students about harmony and scales. In Freund's spectrum, if you hear one note and then another directly to its right, the first note is like a "parent" note. The note to the right is the "child" note. Parent notes sound a bit "flatter" or "darker." Child notes sound "sharper" or "brighter."
Recorded Music Works
Don Freund's music has been recorded so people can listen to it. Here are some of his recorded works:
- New Music From Indiana University Vol 4 - Don Freund This album features several of his pieces.
- Madame Bovary Suite
- Soft Cells
- Concerto for Viola
- Dissolving Music
- These pieces were performed by the Indiana University Concert Orchestra, New Music Ensemble, and Chamber Orchestra. Don Freund himself conducted some of these performances, along with David Dzubay and Paul Biss.
