THE COMPOSER Augusta Read Thomas

THE COMPOSER

Augusta Read Thomas is a longtime Chicago-based composer. Named Chicagoan of the Year in 2016, Thomas was the longest-serving Mead Composer-in-Residence with the Chicago Symphony, working under Daniel Barenboim and Pierre Boulez. Currently Professor of Composition at the University of Chicago, she founded the school’s Center for Contemporary Composition. In 2007, Thomas's composition, Astral Canticle , was one of two finalists for the Pulitzer Prize in Music. Her composition, Colors of Love , on an album by Chanticleer, won a Grammy Award in 2000. Thomas’ 2019 world premieres include Sweet Potato Kicks The Sun at Santa Fe Opera and The Auditions , a ballet for Martha Graham Dance Company.

IPO and Anima chose Thomas based upon her wide experience with orchestra/choral groups, impressive national presence, familiarity with jazz-infused tonality, Chicago residence, and familiarity with Brooks’ poetry, having been involved with a Brooks retrospective in 2017. Thomas also composed for Anima-GECC while she was studying composition some thirty years ago!

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