Thomas Sleeper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Sleeper
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| Born | February 16, 1956 Wagoner, Oklahoma, U.S.
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| Died | October 15, 2022 (aged 66) |
| Occupation | Composer |
| Years active | 1975–2022 |
Thomas M. Sleeper (born February 16, 1956 – died October 15, 2022) was an American composer and conductor. A composer writes music, and a conductor leads an orchestra. People said his music was 'hauntingly mysterious' and 'richly lyrical'. This means it was deep and beautiful.
He worked at the University of Miami Frost Symphony Orchestra. He was their Director of Orchestral Activities and Conductor until 2018. He also led the Florida Youth Orchestra for many years, from 1993 to 2020.
His Life and Musical Journey
Thomas Sleeper was born in Wagoner, Oklahoma. He was a member of the Cherokee Nation. He loved music from a young age.
He studied music at the University of Texas. Then, he earned his Master of Music degree at Southern Methodist University. There, he learned from famous musicians like Daryl F. Rauscher.
From 1975 to 1978, Thomas Sleeper was part of a group called "Fermata". This group was in Austin and created new, experimental music. He worked with other composers like Jerry Hunt.
When he was only 22, he became an Associate Conductor for the Dallas Civic Symphony. After this, he started writing many different kinds of music. He composed operas, concertos, symphonies, and music for solo instruments.
Thomas Sleeper traveled the world as a guest conductor. He performed with orchestras in many countries. For example, he led the Central Philharmonic of China. In 1992, he performed Mahler's Symphony No. 5 there for the first time in China.
He also conducted in Argentina and Bulgaria. In 1993, he became an Artistic Advisor for the China-Wuhan Symphony. He helped introduce new music to audiences. He was always keen to support new works by other composers. He lived in Miami, Florida later in his life.
In 2019, Thomas Sleeper was diagnosed with a serious illness called ALS. This disease affects the muscles. He passed away from complications of this illness in 2022, at 66 years old.
Amazing Musical Creations
Thomas Sleeper wrote many different kinds of musical pieces. Here are some of his most well-known works:
- Einstein's Inconsistency: This is a series of eight operas. Operas are plays set to music. These operas get shorter and shorter, like a reverse Fibonacci series. You can even mix and match them to create new shows! He wrote this in 2014.
- Symphony No. 5 "chamber symphony": A symphony is a long piece of music for an orchestra. This one was first performed in April 2015 at the University of Miami Frost School of Music.
- Symphony No. 4: This symphony was first played in October 2015 by the Meadows Symphony Orchestra.
- Sonata for Piano and Alto Saxophone (Seven Deadly Sins): A sonata is a piece for one or two instruments. This one was for piano and saxophone. It was first played in December 2014.
- Symphony No. 3 "ex nihilo": The United States Navy Band first performed this symphony in February 2014.
- Hetaera esmeralda: This piece was written for a Greek pianist and conductor named Zoe Zeniodi. It was first performed in April 2014.
- Symphony No. 2 "Little Leylie": The Florida Youth Orchestra first performed this symphony in November 2012.
- Violin Concerto No. 2: A concerto is a piece for a solo instrument with an orchestra. This one was for violin. It was first played in June 2013 in Greece.
- Concerto for Flute and Flute Orchestra: This concerto was for a solo flute and an orchestra made of flutes! It was first played in November 2012.
- Concerto for Violin and Orchestra, "Hypnagogia": This violin concerto was first performed in March 2012 in Miami, Florida.
- PARALLAX for euphonium and wind ensemble: This piece was for the euphonium, a brass instrument, and a wind ensemble. It was first played in September 2011.
- Parallages: This was a piece for solo piano. It was first played in June 2011.
- Through a Glass Darkly: This piece was for a soprano (a female singer) and an orchestra. It was first performed in February 2011.
- Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra: This concerto was for alto saxophone and orchestra. It was first performed in November 2010.
- XENIA for tenor and orchestra: This piece was for a tenor (a male singer) and orchestra. It was based on texts from a novel. It was first performed in February 2010.
- Translucence for trombone and orchestra: This piece was for trombone and orchestra. It was first performed in March 2009.
- String Quartet No. 3: A string quartet is a group of four string instruments. This piece was written for the Delray String Quartet.
- The Sisters Antipodes: This was a short opera. It was first performed in November 2009.
- Concerto for Cello and Orchestra: This cello concerto was first performed at Carnegie Hall in March 2008.
- Concerto for Trumpet: This trumpet concerto was first performed by Craig Morris.
- String Quartet No. 2, "Bergonzi": This string quartet was written for the Bergonzi String Quartet.
- Aceldama: Field of Blood: This opera has been performed all over the world.
- Symphony No. 1: This was his first symphony. It was first performed and recorded in Dallas.
- Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra: This concerto was written for the bassoon, a woodwind instrument.
- Adagio for Orchestra: An adagio is a slow musical piece.
- Piano Concerto No. 2: This piano concerto was first performed by Justin Blasdale.
- One Water: He wrote the music for this documentary film.
- The Silver Mirror: He also wrote the music for this documentary film.
Where to Hear His Music
Thomas Sleeper's music has been recorded on many albums. Here are some of the albums where you can hear his compositions or his conducting:
- Thomas Sleeper: Through a Glass Darkly: This album from 2016 features several of his works, including parts of his Symphony No. 1 and Symphony No. 4.
- Sleeper: Four Concerti: This album from 2014 includes four of his concertos.
- Thomas Sleeper: Music for Flute: Released in 2013, this album focuses on his flute music.
- Sleeper: Symphony No. 1, XENIA, Six Arias for Cello and Orchestra: This album from 2010 features his first symphony and other pieces.
- Maslanka, Sleeper: Reflections: Concerto for Trumpet: This 2007 album includes his trumpet concerto.
- Rodríguez: Works For Chorus and Orchestra: On this 2001 album, Thomas Sleeper was the conductor.
- Surinach: Symphonic Melismas, Double Concerto, etc.: He conducted on this album from 1996.
- Aceldama: This album features his opera Aceldama.
- Ticheli, Van Der Slice, Sleeper: Orchestral Works: This album includes some of his orchestral works.
- Works of Finzi, Brahms, R. Strauss: He conducted works by these famous composers on this album.
