Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate facts for kids

Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate (born July 25, 1968) is a talented Chickasaw classical composer and pianist. He creates beautiful music inspired by the rich history, culture, and spirit of North American Indian people.

Many famous orchestras have asked him to create new music for them. These orchestras include groups in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Detroit, and Minneapolis. In 2008, the San Francisco Symphony Chorus performed his work Iholba'. This was special because it was the first time they sang in Chickasaw or any American Indian language.

Jerod Tate also started and leads the Chickasaw Chamber Music Festival. He helped create and taught at the Chickasaw Summer Arts Academy too.

About Jerod Tate

Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate was born in 1968 in Norman, Oklahoma. He is a proud citizen of the Chickasaw Nation in Oklahoma. He works hard to create classical music that celebrates American Indian cultures. The Washington Post newspaper even called him one of the top composers to watch. They said he is unique for mixing classical music with American Indian traditions.

His Achievements

Jerod Tate has received many important awards. In 2022, he was added to the Chickasaw Hall of Fame. He also won a special award from The Cleveland Institute of Music. In 2021, the U.S. Department of State named him a Cultural Ambassador. This means he helps share American culture with other countries.

He has been a guest composer, conductor, and pianist for many big events. These include the San Francisco Symphony's Currents Program and the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Balcony Bar Program. For the museum, he wrote a piece called Pisachi (Reveal) for a string quartet.

His Music and Collaborations

Jerod Tate's music has been performed by many famous groups. These include the National Symphony Orchestra, the San Francisco Symphony, and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. He has also worked with ballet companies like the Colorado Ballet.

He has written music for operas, concertos, and other performances. Some of his recent works include Shell Shaker: A Chickasaw Opera and Ghost of the White Deer. His music was even featured on the HBO TV series Westworld.

Teaching and Residencies

Jerod Tate has spent time as a "Composer-in-Residence" for different organizations. This means he works closely with them to create music and teach. He has taught composition to American Indian high school students. He has worked with students from many tribes, including Hopi, Navajo, and Lummi. He also taught Native students in Toronto, Canada.

He has received awards from groups like the American Composers Forum. He also won an Emmy Award for his work on a documentary called The Science of Composing. This film showed how he taught music to scientists.

Working with Many Cultures

Besides his own Chickasaw culture, Jerod Tate has worked with the music and languages of many other tribes. These include the Choctaw, Navajo, Cherokee, Lakota, and Hopi tribes, among many others.

His Recorded Music

You can find Jerod Tate's music on several albums. Iholba (The Vision) and Tracing Mississippi were recorded by the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra. In 2021, his album Lowak Shoppala (Fire and Light) was released. It features the Nashville String Machine and the Chickasaw Nation Children's Chorus. Critics have praised his ability to blend Western music with his Native culture.

His Education and Career

Jerod Tate studied piano at Northwestern University. He then earned his master's degree in piano and composition from The Cleveland Institute of Music. He has also performed as a pianist for Broadway shows like Les Misérables and Miss Saigon. He has worked with many ballet and dance companies too.

Meaning of His Name

Jerod's middle name, Impichchaachaaha', means "his high corncrib." This is a special family name from his Chickasaw heritage. A corncrib is a small building used to store corn and other vegetables. In traditional Chickasaw culture, corncribs were built high off the ground on stilts. This kept the food safe from animals.

His Music Works

Jerod Tate has created many musical pieces. Here are some examples of his commissioned works, which means groups asked him to write them:

• Ghost of the White Deer Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra (2020) - for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.
• Muscogee Hymn Suite for Solo Baritone, Children's Chorus and Orchestra (2016) - for Tulsa Symphony.
• Standing Bear: A Ponca Indian Cantata (2015) - tells a story with music.
• Misha’ Sipokni' (The Old Ground) Oratorio (2015) - a large musical work for orchestra and voices.
• Pisachi (You See) for String Quartet (2013) - performed by the ETHEL string quartet.
• Waktégli Olówaŋ (Victory Songs) for Baritone Solo and Orchestra (2012) - for the South Dakota Symphony.
• Taloowa’ Chipota (Children's Songs) for Youth Choir (2011).
• Lowak Shoppala’ (Fire and Light) (2006) - for Orchestra, Children's Chorus, and narrators.
• Tracing Mississippi, Concerto for Flute and Orchestra (2002).
• Iholba' (The Vision) for Solo Flute, Orchestra and Chorus (1999) - for the National Symphony Orchestra.
• Winter Moons, Ballet Score (1991).

Other Music and Film Work

Jerod Tate has also composed other chamber music pieces. These are for smaller groups of instruments. He has also created music for films and documentaries, including:

• To the Wonder – a film directed by Terrence Malick (2012).
• Spider Brings Fire – for the Chickasaw Nation (2010).
• Indian Country Diaries: A Seat at the Drum – a documentary (2005).

Awards and Recognition

Jerod Tate has received many honors for his work:

• 2016: He was a Composer-in-Residence with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra through the New Music USA program.
• 2011: He won a regional Emmy Award for his part in the documentary The Science of Composing. This film showed how he taught composition to scientists.
• 2008: He was named a Creativity Ambassador for the State of Oklahoma.
• 2006: He received the Joyce Award to create his piece Nitoshi’ Imali, a Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra.
• 2006: He also received the Alumni Achievement Award from the Cleveland Institute of Music.
• He has also received awards from Meet the Composer and the Percussive Arts Society.

His Recordings

• 2008:' Works by Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate. This album includes Tracing Mississippi and Iholba. It features the San Francisco Symphony and Chorus.
• 2021:' Lowak Shoppala (Fire and Light) by Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate.