William Henry Curry (born June 30, 1954) is an American conductor and composer. Since 2009 he has been the Music Director of Durham Symphony Orchestra.

William Henry Curry
Born(1954-06-30)June 30, 1954
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Occupations
  • Conductor
  • composer
Websitewww.whcurrymusic.com

Life and career

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Willam Henry Curry was born in Pittsburgh on June 30, 1954.[1] He started conducting and composing at the age of 14.[2] After studying viola and conducting at Oberlin Conservatory from 1972 to 1974, he become assistant conductor of the Richmond Symphony (1975–1977).[1]

Curry has conducted, inter alia, Indianapolis Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, NC Symphony and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra.[3] He has won the Stokowski award for conductors.[4] In 2019, he collaborated with Composer Rajan Somasundaram for the classical Tamil poetry, Yathum Oore (Circa 200B.C.), the theme song of 10th World Tamil Conference.[5]

According to Grove Music Online, Curry's compositions have been described as "melodic, neo-romantic, and populist", while "[h]is composing influences include Aaron Copland, Roy Harris, and Samuel Barber."[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Cooper, Jackson (April 24, 2023). "Curry, William Henry". Grove Music Online. Oxford: Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/omo/9781561592630.013.90000380686. ISBN 9781561592630. (subscription or UK public library membership required)
  2. ^ "William Curry NPR Radio Interview: Born to conduct". WUNC North Carolina Public Radio.
  3. ^ "William Curry Interview in LA Times". Los Angeles Times. January 21, 1987.
  4. ^ "NY Times: William Curry wins Stokowski award". The New York Times. January 26, 1988.
  5. ^ Yathum Oore Anthem
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