Based on his years of successful experience in this area, Mark Wolfram will discuss the benefits and pitfalls involved in commissioning a new work for ensembles of all types. Attendees will learn strategies for conceptualizing, developing, funding, promoting and presenting new music specifically tailored for their group.
Mark Wolfram
- Biographical Information
Award-winning composer Mark Wolfram studied with Dr. Earl Benson from 7th grade through high school, and also studied conducting with Vaclav Nehlybel and Dr. Alfred Reed as well as composition and arranging with Dr. Frank Bencriscutto at the University of Minnesota. Mark attended Northwestern University earning a Bachelor of Music degree and studied arranging, conducting and band techniques with John P. Paynter and trombone with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Frank Crisafulli. As a member of the Disneyland All-American College Band, Mark studied with such musical luminaries as Irwin Kostal, Carmen Dragon, Willis Shaffer, Pat Williams, Buddy Baker, John Cacavas, Jim Christensen, Oscar-winning composer Leonard Rosenman and Dr. Mark Carlson. Mark continued his studies at UCLA and USC with courses in composition, orchestration, electronic synthesis and film scoring and participated in the prestigious Fred Karlin/ASCAP Film Scoring Workshop.
Mark maintains a multi-faceted career which includes arranging for Diana Ross & The Supremes, Peter Cetera, Kenny Rogers, The Irish Tenors, Chris Isaak, Joe Williams, Lena Horne, Doc Severinson, Peter Nero and The Chicago Jazz Philharmonic. He's composed original scores for General Hospital, Another World, Riptide and many Hanna-Barbera cartoons. Additionally, he has composed for independent and industrial films, thousands of jingles and underscores for television and radio advertising, and the concert stage. Mark's “Interludes for Percussion and Trumpet” is performed worldwide and his “Brass Trio (1988)” took Grand Prize in the 1989 International Horn Society Competition. Mark’s ongoing devotion to creating new and exciting music includes recent compositions for: St. Olaf Concert Band, Boise State University Symphonic Winds, the University of Oregon Wind Ensemble, Minnesota State University Mankato Concert Wind Ensemble, Wright State University Symphonic Winds, the Tucson Pops Orchestra and the Arizona Symphonic Winds.