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Biography
JAMES STEPLETON, composer. James Stepletonís Five Sonnets of Michalangelo was commissioned and premiered by the South Dakota Symphony and broadcast, with soloist Michael Riley, over National Public Radio. His Serenade for Solo Guitar won the only prize in a competition for new guitar music sponsored by AndrËs Segovia and has been continuously in print for over 25 years. He is Chairman of The Douglas Moore Fund for American Opera, Inc., which he co-founded with internationally known American opera composer Jack Beeson (Lizzie Borden, "Live From Lincoln Center," hosted by Beverly Sills, 1999) and Broadway and Hollywood composer John Kander (Chicago, 6 Academy Awards, including "Best Picture," 2003). The Douglas Moore Fund provides fellowships for up to three years at professional American opera companies for composers and librettists who have completed their formal training but not yet established themselves in the field of opera.
Music Composition: In 2003, Mr. Stepleton's full-length opera was given a reading by New York City Opera. Anthony Tommasini, in the New York Times wrote as follows:
The excerpt presented from James Stepleton's ìThe Awakening,î with a libretto by Andrew Joffe based on the Kate Chopin novel, earned a genuine ovation and stirred the most discussion.. . . . [I]t's a sensitive setting of an elusive story about a young wife and mother from Kentucky who, in the words of the creators, ìhas married into the new and somewhat confusing world of well-to-do French Creole society in New Orleans.î Though Mr. Stepleton's score, with its lullingly rich chromatic harmony, lacy textures and shimmering orchestra effects, may not be hugely original, it's utterly authentic, something more difficult to accomplish and, finally, more important. . . .As chairman of the Douglas Moore Fund for America Opera, Mr. Stepleton has won many friends in the field, but the reactions from the composers and company directors who greeted him afterwards seemed an expression of genuine interest in the work.
Mr. Stepleton's music has been performances in New York at Carnegie Hall, on National Public Radio and on European tour and national tours. His Serenade For Solo Guitar won the only prize in an international competition sponsored by AndrËs Segovia and has been continuously in print for 30 years.
Teaching Background
Fifteen years of college teaching experience at Columbia University, New York University, University of Maryland, Michigan State University, Ithaca College, Ball State University, The College of St. Elizabeth (New Jersey) and Augustana College (South Dakota) - where he chaired the music theory program for a department with 250 majors - and Stevens Institute of Technology.
Formal Education
Columbia University. Studied with Jack Beeson, where I completed all but dissertation for doctorate in music composition with primary emphasis in vocal and operatic composition.
Ball State University. Master's in composition with primary emphasis in voice and music theater. Developed and administered a pilot undergraduate major in music theater.
Michigan State University. Master's in Philosophy with primary emphasis on Greek philosophy.
Michigan State University. Bachelor's degree magna cum lauda with triple major in music, European history and philosophy.
Productions
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Artist Information
All information is derived from OPERA America's Season Schedule of Performances and titles databases which date back to 1991. OPERA America is constantly updating this data. If you feel that a work or an artist has been omitted or that information is incorrect, please use the linked forms below. Title Information Form Artist Information Form
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