Margaret Brouwer facts for kids

Margaret Brouwer (born February 8, 1940) is an American composer and a teacher of music composition. She is known for creating the Blue Streak Ensemble, a group that plays chamber music.

About Margaret Brouwer

Margaret Brouwer studied music at Oberlin College and Michigan State University. She started her career as a professional violinist, playing in orchestras like the Fort Worth Symphony and Dallas Symphony. Later, she earned her highest degree in composition from Indiana University.

From 1996 to 2008, Brouwer led the composition department at the Cleveland Institute of Music. She is now a professor emeritus there, meaning she has retired but still holds an honored title.

Brouwer has received many important awards. In 2004, she was named a Guggenheim Fellow, which is a special award for people who have shown great ability in arts and sciences. In 2006, she won an award in music from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. She also received a grant in 2010 to compose Path at Sunrise, Masses of Flowers, which was first played by the Cleveland Women's Symphony.

In 2011, Brouwer started the Blue Streak Ensemble. This group plays her music and works by other living composers. They also perform classic pieces. With this group, Brouwer began the 'Music by the Lake' series, holding summer concerts around the Lake Erie area in northern Ohio.

Her Music Performances

Margaret Brouwer's music has been played by many groups in big cities like New York, Seattle, and Washington, D.C.

In New York, her music has been performed at famous places such as Carnegie Hall by the American Composers Orchestra. The Orchestra of St. Luke's and groups like the Cassatt Quartet have also played her works. In Washington, D.C., her music has been heard at the Kennedy Center and the Phillips Gallery.

Her music used to be published by companies like Carl Fischer Music. Now, you can find her music through Brouwer New Music Publishing.

Notable Performances (1999–2004)

In 2001, the Cleveland Museum of Art held a concert just for Brouwer's chamber music. Two of the pieces, Light and Under the Summer Tree, were played for the very first time. Other new pieces included Mandala for the Cleveland Chamber Symphony.

In 2002, her Concerto for Percussion, Aurolucent Circles, was first performed by the famous percussionist Evelyn Glennie and the Seattle Symphony. Critics said it was a "marvelous display piece" that was "effective and solid."

Brouwer was also chosen to compose a special piece for Ohio's 200th birthday celebration. This work was premiered by the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra in 2003.

Notable Performances (2005–2009)

In 2005, Brouwer's piece Light was performed at the Tanglewood Music Center festival. A review in the New York Times called it "fantastically eclectic."

In 2006, a CD of her orchestral music called Aurolucent Circles was released by Naxos Records. It featured Evelyn Glennie and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.

In 2007, her Concerto for Violin and Chamber Orchestra was first played by violinist Michi Wiancko and CityMusic Cleveland.

Notable Performances (2010–Present)

In 2010, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra premiered Brouwer's Concerto for Viola and Orchestra. Her first symphonic drama for children, called Daniel and Snakeman, was first performed by CityMusic Cleveland in 2011.

The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra premiered her new orchestral work, Caution Ahead – Guard Rail Out, in 2012. Brouwer was also one of five American women composers asked to write a piece for solo piano. Her composition Prelude and Toccata was first played in 2013.

Her Musical Style

Margaret Brouwer's music is known for creating vivid images and having melodies that are easy to remember. People often find her music interesting and easy to connect with.

Critics have said that her music is "accessible and engaging." This means that many different people can enjoy it. Her music also balances modern sounds with more traditional, melodic styles. One magazine described her music as having "a sense of stylistic independence and an openness of spirit."

Recordings

Here are some of the albums featuring Margaret Brouwer's music:

List of Works

Margaret Brouwer has composed many different types of music. Here are some of her works:

Chamber Music

Chamber music is written for a small group of instruments, usually one player per part.

• Inner Voices (2014) - for flute, voice, violin, cello, trombone, piano
• Rhapsodic Sonata for Viola and Piano (2012)
• Lonely Lake (2011) - for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, percussion, and piano
• Shattered Glass (2007) - for flute, cello, percussion, piano
• Fling (2006) - for String Quartet
• Trio (2005) - for violin, clarinet, piano
• Quintet for Clarinet in A and String Quartet (2005)
• Declaration (2005) - for soprano or mezzo-soprano, violin, piano
• Clarinet Quintet (2005)
• Lament (2002) - for violin, clarinet, bassoon, percussion
• Wedding Song (2001) - for String Quartet
• Light (2001) - for soprano, harpsichord, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, percussion
• Rapunzel (1998) - for soprano, flute, bassoon, French horn, trombone, percussion, narrator/synthesizer
• Celebration (1998) - for Brass Quintet
• Demeter Prelude (1997) - for String Quartet
• Sonata for Horn and Piano (1996)
• A Little Renaissance Music - for violin, oboe, clarinet, cello, double bass
• Crosswinds (1995) - for String quartet
• Tolling the Spirits (1994) - for Brass Quintet
• Chamber Concerto (1993) - for solo clarinet, percussion, piano
• Skyriding (1992) - for flute, violin, cello, piano
• Two Songs (1990) - for soprano, flute, violin, cello, tuba or trombone, percussion, piano
• Two Pieces for Viola (1989) - for viola and piano
• Sonata for Violin and Piano (1987)
• Timespan (1986) - for Brass Quintet
• Aurolucent Echoes (1985) - for solo harp, echo harp, 2 percussion, violin, viola, cello
• Dream Drifts (1983) - for viola (with tape delay) and piano (with percussion)
• Ruins of Riveaulx (1982) - Electronic tape with optional visuals

Chamber Orchestra Music

Chamber orchestra music is for a slightly larger group than chamber music, but smaller than a full symphony orchestra.

• Daniel and Snakeman (2011) - A Children's Symphonic Drama for Narrator and Chamber Orchestra
• Century's Song (2003) - Also has a version for community and high school orchestras
• Wedding Song (2001) - for String Orchestra
• Mandala (2001)
• Prelude and Vivace for Clarinet and Chamber Ensemble (1996)
• Then the Bells (1991)
• Skattle (1990)

Orchestral Music

Orchestral music is written for a large symphony orchestra.

• Caution Ahead - Guard Rail Out (2012)
• Path at Sunrise, Masses of Flowers (2010)
• Rhapsody for Orchestra (2009)
• Breakdown (2009) - A sample-based hybrid opera in one act
• Stardance (2007)
• Pulse (2003)
• Centennial Bells (2003) - An easy version for middle school and high school orchestras
• Sizzle (2000)
• Symphony No. 1, Lake Voices (1997)
• Pluto - A Sequel (1997) - for Orchestra and Women's Chorus
• Remembrances (1996)
• Third From the Sun (1988)

Concertos

A concerto is a piece of music usually for a solo instrument and an orchestra.

• Concerto for Viola and Orchestra (2010)
• Concerto for Violin and Orchestra (2007)
• Aurolucent Circles (2002) - Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra
• Concerto for Clarinet and Orchestra (1994)

Solo Instrumental Music

These pieces are written for just one instrument.

Piano

• Prelude and Toccata (2013)
• Under the Summer Tree (2000)
• Sonata for Solo Piano (1998)
• Dancing on Hot Coals (1998)

Other Instruments

• No Rotary Phone (1995) - for Clarinet
• Diary of an Alien (1994) - for Flute
• SCHerZOid (1989) - for Horn

Vocal Music

Vocal music is written for singers.

• Sing with the Lark (2003) - for mixed choir (SATB), can be sung without instruments, or with piano or handbells.
• Winter Dream (2000) - for soprano and piano
• Missa Brevis (1991) - for men's chorus and piano (with chimes or handbells)
• Washington and Lee Hymn (1990) - for mixed choir (SATB) without instruments

Band and Wind Ensemble Music

These pieces are for school bands or wind ensembles.

• Pulse (2013)
• Red Hill Special March (2003)
• Sizzle (2002) - for Wind Ensemble, college, and high school bands

Arrangements

Arrangements are pieces of music that have been changed or adapted for different instruments or groups.

• Bach - Two Part Invention in F Major (BWV 779) - arranged for Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello, Piano and Percussion
• Debussy - Clair de Lune - arranged for Flute, Clarinet, Violin, Cello and Piano

See also

In Spanish: Margaret Brouwer para niños