So you write a piece of music for a bunch of instruments. You can see the notes on the page, hear it your head, or perhaps play some of it on the piano. These days, you can also have computer software play the notes back for you. But it’s just not the same as hearing it performed the way you imagine it.
It’s a special treat for many composers, especially those just starting out, to hear their music performed by actual, live musicians, especially a professional ensemble.
Timothy Cooper got to have that experience this weekend. Cooper is a 23-year-old composer from South Charleston; he’s also recent graduate of the music division at WVU.
Cooper won the Knoxville Symphony’s Young Composer contest with his piece “Canaan Heights.” His prize was having his piece premiered by musicians from the orchestra on a concert this past Sunday.
I caught up with Cooper over the phone on his way out to Tennessee last week. Here’s what he said about his composition “Canaan Heights,” his approach to writing music, how he got started, and his future plans.
Interview with composer Timothy Cooper