composer

Sean McClowry is an award-winning composer living in Brooklyn, NY and writing contemporary classical music.  Although he writes for many different ensembles, such as string quartet, orchestra, and for soloists, he often composes music that will include him as a performer (double bass).  His compositions explore religious sentiments that are difficult to express using words, such as prayer or the nature of the Trinity.  He is currently working on his debut CD for American Modern Records comprised of his music for double bass.  It will feature his new Concerto for Double Bass that he premiered with the American Modern Ensemble last spring.

Sean has been awarded first prizes in the ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composers Competition (Leo Kaplan Award), the Lee Ettleson Composition Competition, and the American Modern Ensemble Composition Competition.  He has studied composition with Steve Mackey, Paul Lansky, Chen Yi, Chris Theofanidis, and Nicholas Maw.  He will soon be finishing up his PhD in composition at Princeton University.  Sean received a master’s degree from the Yale School of Music and a bachelor’s degree from Peabody Conservatory.

April, ‘94 for solo double bass and electronics

Selected Work List:

Concerto for Double Bass and orchestra (2009) premiered by American Modern Ensemble

Brooklyn Overture for orchestra (2008) read by the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra

Piano Piece no.1 (2007) premiered by Monica Ohuchi

a prayer for string quintet (2007) premiered by the Flux Quartet

April, ’94 for solo bass and electronics (2006) winner of the AME electro/acoustic composition competition

Soldier for orchestra (2005) commissioned and premiered by the Dogs of Desire

Without a Story for organ and percussion (2003) commissioned by the American Guild of Organist for Donald Sutherland

Different Paths for organ and soprano sax (2000), commissioned by Donald Sutherland and Gary Louie

This Present Darkness for wind ensemble and turntables (2000), premiered by the Peabody Wind Ensemble

Perichoresis for double string orchestra (2000) premiered by Group435 String Orchestra

Immanuel for clarinet, electric guitar, double bass, and percussion (2000)

Great Expectations for alto saxophone and marimba (1999)

Parting the Waters for solo double bass (1998) winner of the Leo Kaplan Award (ASCAP Morton Gould Composition Competition) and the Lee Ettleson Award

The Vampire, a musical in one act (1998) Performed by the Yale Summer Cabaret