Linda Bouchard facts for kids

Linda Bouchard (born May 21, 1957) is a famous Canadian composer and conductor. This means she writes new music and also leads orchestras and other groups of musicians when they perform. She is also an active teacher and producer of musical events.

Early Life and Education

Linda Bouchard was born and grew up in Montreal, Quebec. She loved music from a young age and decided to study it in college.

She moved to the United States in 1977 to study with the composer Henry Brant, who became a major inspiration for her. She earned a bachelor's degree in music from Bennington College in 1979 and a master's degree in composition from the Manhattan School of Music in 1982.

A Career in Music

Starting in New York City

From 1979 to 1990, Bouchard lived in New York City. It was a busy time for her. She wrote her own music, led music groups, and arranged music for famous groups like the Orchestra of St. Luke's. She was also the assistant conductor for the New York Children's Free Opera.

Return to Canada

In 1991, Bouchard moved back to Montreal. Her return was celebrated with the first-ever performance of her piece "Elan" by l’Orchestre Métropolitain. From 1992 to 1995, she was the composer-in-residence for the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa. This was a special job where she focused on creating new music for the orchestra.

Life in San Francisco

In 1997, Bouchard moved to San Francisco, where she lives today. In 2005, she started a group called New Experimental Music, Art and Production (NEXMAP). This organization helps artists explore how to mix traditional art with new technology. She was the artistic director there for ten years.

What is Her Music Like?

Linda Bouchard is known for her creative and experimental music. She is very inspired by her teacher, Henry Brant. One of his ideas she uses is placing musicians in different spots around a room, not just on a stage. This creates a unique surround-sound experience for the audience.

Her music is often described as exploring new sounds and having powerful, drum-like bursts of energy. She loves to experiment with what different instruments can do.

Modern Projects

Bouchard continues to create exciting new works. One of her recent projects is called "All Caps No Space," a performance that has been shown in San Francisco, Vancouver, and at The Banff Centre for the Arts.

She also wrote music for Detour Inc., a company that makes documentary walking tours for your phone. Her music is used for architecture tours in San Francisco, Berlin, and London.

In 2017, she received a special grant from the Canada Council for the Arts for a project called "Live Structures." This project involves working with other artists and technology experts to create new musical experiences.

Awards and Recognition

Bouchard has won many awards for her work.

• In 1999, she was named "Composer of the Year" by le Conseil Québecois de la Culture.
• She received the Joseph S. Stauffer Prize from the Canada Council for the Arts.
• Her work has won five awards from PROCAN and SOCAN (Canadian music organizations).
• In the U.S., she has won first prizes in several competitions and received an award from Harvard University's Fromm Music Foundation.

A Sample of Her Works

Linda Bouchard has written many different kinds of music. Here are just a few examples.

For the Stage

• The House of Words (2003), an opera
• Mr. Link (1993), musical theater for children
• Identity Theft (2017), a dance and theater performance

For Voices

• Black Burned Wood (1990), a song
• Ocamow (1993), a song cycle (a group of songs connected by a theme)
• Pilgrims' Cantata (1996), a cantata (a piece for voices and instruments)

For Orchestra

• Booming Sands (1998)
• Élan (1990)
• Exquisite Fires (1993)
• The Open Life (2000)
• Vertige (1994)

For Chamber Groups

• Amuser Le Temps (1989)
• Circus Faces (1983)
• Icy Cruise (1984)
• Le Scandale (1989)
• Pourtinade (1983)
• Swift Silver (1989)