Frank Graham Stewart is a native of Colorado. He became interested in music
at an early age, starting first with piano lessons, then adding clarinet
studies. As a young boy, he had opportunities to see and hear festivals of
American Indian dances and songs of tribes living in the southwestern United
States. This began an interest in writing melodies and drum accompaniments
based on these songs.
Upon graduation from high school he received a scholarship to attend
Eastman School of Music. His principal composition teacher was Bernard
Rogers who further developed his sensitivity to musical color. Bela Bartokıs
dynamic rhythms, harmonies and interest in folk music have also been strong
influences, as well as American jazz and the possibility of using serial
ideas in music. In addition to his studies at Eastman he also received a
scholarship to study with Roger Sessions.
During the Second World War, Stewart served in an U.S. Army Field Band
as a clarinetist, arranger, and composer. During this time his works were
broadcast over WNYC, including his composition Suite for Orchestra, which
was conducted by Leon Barzin. After the war Douglas Moore awarded Stewart
the Alice M. Ditson Fellowship in Music Composition at Columbia University.
After working as a free-lance composer, performer and teacher in California,
he returned to Colorado to complete his Masterıs degree.
He went on to receive a Ph.D. at Michigan State University where he
studied with Owen Reed. His doctoral thesis was a one-act opera, which won a
contest sponsored by Mannes College of Music, and was given performances at
the 92nd Street Y in New York City with Paul Berl conducting.
Stewart has written many compositions for various groups and chamber
ensembles including the traditional string quartet, woodwind quintet, and
brass quintet as well as works for symphonic band, and the three orchestral
works and two concertos included on this CD. His music has been performed
throughout the United States including a ³Toccata² for piano solo
commissioned by Joseph Banowitz (published by Neil A. Kjos). He has won a
number of prizes and awards, including the Orpheus Award from Phi Mu Alpha
Sinfonia and the Virginia College Band Directors National Association. He is
also a National Arts Associate of Sigma Alpha Iota. |
