Howard J. Buss

Howard J. Buss
Howard J. Buss
Born (1951-01-06) January 6, 1951
Era Contemporary

Howard J. Buss (born January 6, 1951 in Allentown, Pennsylvania) is an American composer of contemporary classical music. Buss’ works include instrumental solos, chamber music, symphonic, choral, and band works.[1] His music has received awards including the 2011 Lieksa (Finland) Brass Week Composition Competition, the 2015 American Trombone Workshop National Composition Competition,[2] the National Flute Association’s Newly-Published Music Competition, the Erik Satie Mostly Tonal Award, State of Florida Fellowships, and ASCAP Plus Awards.[3]

Early life

Howard J. Buss was the eldest of eight children and was raised in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, where he attended Emmaus High School. At age 14 he began his professional performing career as a member of a jazz band in Allentown and joined the American Federation of Musicians. Soon thereafter, Buss was recruited into the Allentown Marine Band, where he became a regular member and occasionally soloed with the group.[4] As he neared high school graduation, Buss was recruited as a trombonist into the nationally known group, the Tijuana Brats. In the 3 years he performed with the band he appeared numerous times on national television programs including The Tonight Show, The Mike Douglas Show (multiple times), and The Jerry Lewis Telethon. He recorded with RCA Records in New York City and traveled extensively.[4]

College

It was in college where Buss shifted his focus from popular music and jazz to classical music. In 1972 he received his B.A. in Applied Music Performance from West Chester State College (now West Chester University) where he studied music composition with Larry Nelson. Shortly thereafter he moved to East Lansing, Michigan where in 1974 he was awarded a M.M. in Trombone Performance from Michigan State University. It was at this time he began study with composer H. Owen Reed and was inspired to change his primary musical thrust from performance to composition. In 1975 he received a Master of Music|M.M. in Composition from MSU and he married Judy (Epstein), an accomplished woodwind specialist. They moved to Champaign-Urbana to attend the University of Illinois where Howard received a D.M.A. in Composition in 1977. His primary music composition teachers at U. of I. were Thomas Fredrickson and Salvatore Martirano. It was during this time that his works began to be published and noticed by the wider public.[5]

Florida

Upon receiving his D.M.A. Buss moved with his wife, Judy, to Lakeland, Florida, where they reside to this day.[6] They established teaching studios: Howard taught the brass instruments, music theory and composition; and Judy taught the woodwind instruments. The studios thrived, and Howard continued to compose and seek publishers for his music. In 1985 he established Brixton Publications (ASCAP) and Howard J. Buss Publications (BMI). The catalog continues to expand to accommodate his compositions as well as those of many other American composers.

Works

The following is a partial list of Buss' works:[7]

Discography

References

  1. ↑ Nb: Sigma Alpha Iota Philanthropies
  2. ↑ http://www.brixtonpublications.com/howard_j_buss-2.html
  3. ↑ Nb.:Brixton Publications: Howard J. Buss, Composer
  4. 1 2 Nb:Lakeland Public Library Special Collections: Howard J. Buss Papers, Box 1, Folder 1 (1988)
  5. ↑ "Howard J. Buss". Smith Archives: Composer Profile. THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON BIERCE LIBRARY. Retrieved 20 Sep 2012.
  6. ↑ Cordeiro, Monivette. "Composer's Muses Found on Earth, Heavens". "Composer's Muses Found on Earth, Heavens": Composer Profile. Polk Life Magazine. pp. 52, 53, 60. Retrieved 2015-11-01.
  7. ↑ http://www.brixtonpublications.com/list_of_compositions-2.html

External links

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