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Biography
Expressively engaging. The evening's climactic moment.
These words have been used by the Washington Post to describe the music of Garrison Hull. His compositions are distinguished by breadth of melodic line, lyricism, clarity of tonality, all merged into a contemporary idiom to the goal of giving expression to our shared humanity.
In 2021 Mr. Hull received the ASCAP (American Society of Composers and Publishers) Plus Award to further assist his artistic contributions in music. And, among his recently commissioned works is a piece for the renowned violoncellist Brigitta Gruenther, which premiered at Strathmore Hall in the Washington, D.C. area.
Earlier commissioned works include Mr. Hull's Violin Sonata No. 2, written for the international renowned virtuoso duo of Michael Appleman, violin, and Alexander Paley, piano, premiered September 2004. In a glowing review of their performance, The Washington Post (September 25, 2004) wrote that the duo played marvelously and with the utmost passion. The sonata was subsequently featured as the only new work at the 2004 Paley International Festival in Richmond, Virginia. [See "About the Music..." to read related article.] In May, 2000 Mr. Hull's first violin sonata, the Strathmore, premiered, a commission from that performing arts center to celebrate the turn of the millennium.
Mr. Hull's full-length dramatic opera Nancy, commissioned by Opera Theatre of Northern Virginia premiered in Spring 2004. The Washington Postreview reported that Hull's opera, Nancy“stands up well when compared with the...first operas of Verdi and Puccini.” Mr. Hull's chamber opera, The Fashionable Vices: Fables of John Gay, described as “exciting opera,” according to The Journal Newspapers was premiered by Opera Americana during the 1990-1991 season.
Mr. Hull's second piano sonata, the Riverside, a 1998 commission from the 250th Birthday Committee for the City of Alexandria, Virginia, was premiered in July, 1999 and was performed at the Talloires International Composers Conference in July, 2000.
From respondents to an international call for scores, The Louisville Orchestra selected Hull's Concert Overture ( A Prayer and Praise to the Memory of Russell Woollen ) for performance at the 1997 Indiana State University's Contemporary Music Festival.
In 1995 he was one of ten composers selected to participate in the Fifth Talloires International Composers Conference at Tufts University European Center.
In 1994 Mr. Hull was honored by both an award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers' Standard Music Panel, and the Alexandria Choral Society's Bi-Annual Distinguished Virginia Composer Commission, which allowed the composition of A Profound Whisper.
In 1993 Mr. Hull received a commission from the Knickerbocker Artists of New York to commemorate the installation of Glenna Goodacre's Vietnam Women's Memorial. Knickerbocker Suite for guitar and violin continues to receive many wonderful performances.
He was a recipient of both a commission and a residency sponsored by Meet the Composer Education Program for 1992-1993.
In 1991 he was honored with a Rosebud Award from the Washington Independent Filmmakers for his score to Eternal Bliss, which was screened at the American Film Institute and the Virginia Festival of American Film. The theme for that year's festival was “Music in the Movies.”
Mr. Hull's music is frequently performed in the United States of America and in Europe. He has been interviewed on Voice of America and has been a regular contributor to the national monthly journal, 21st Century Music. He has written a regular column on concert music for Rhode Island's Motif magazine. He has also written scholarly articles, including "Between the Staves," which was published in Volume 22/1 of the award winning music journal, Sonus.
Mr. Hull has twice been a Resident Fellow at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. He chaired the Virginia Music Teachers Association's Commissioned Composer Contest from 1991 through 1994. He has served as Board President and Music Director of the New Music Society from 1988 to 1993.
Mr. Hull studied conducting with Russell Woollen; piano, theory and composition with Serge DeGastyne and received his Bachelors Degree from George Mason University where he studied composition with Stephen D. Burton, Heritage Professor. He holds his Master's Degree in composition, having studied with the delightful Dr. Eliane Aberdam.
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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