Howard J. Buss
Howard J. Buss | |
|---|---|
Buss in July 2018 | |
| Born | January 6, 1951 Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Occupation | Composer |
| Era | Contemporary |
Howard J. Buss (born January 6, 1951)[1] is an American composer of contemporary classical music.
Life & career
Buss was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania,[2] the eldest of eight children.[3] At age 14, he became a member of the Patriot Jazz Band[4] in Allentown and joined the American Federation of Musicians; later becoming a member of the Marine Band of Allentown. Buss also toured as a trombonist with the Tijuana Brats; recording with them for R.C.A. Records[5] and appearing with them on various television shows such as the Tonight Show, Mike Douglas Show, and the Jerry Lewis Telethon.[6]
In 1972, he received his Bachelor of Arts in applied music performance from West Chester State College, where he studied music composition with Larry Nelson.[2] In 1974, he studied with composer H. Owen Reed and received a Master of Music in trombone performance from Michigan State University.[1] In 1975, he received a Master of Music in composition from Michigan State University; and received a Doctor of Musical Arts in composition in 1977 from the University of Illinois.
In 1985, Buss established Brixton Publications and Howard J. Buss Publications. The companies were sold to Cimarron Music Press in October 2021.
Buss has received several awards; including the 2011 Lieksa Brass Week Composition Competition in Finland,[3] the 2015 American Trombone Workshop National Composition Competition, and The American Prize.[7]
He is married to musician and flutist, Judy E. Buss.
Selected works
- Currents for percussion quartet (1976)[8]
- A Day in the City - 7 Vignettes for solo clarinet (1986)[9]
- Fantasia for clarinet, flute and piano (1989)[9]
- Incantation for trumpet & percussion (1994)[8]
- Modern Times for narrator, flute, and four percussion (1995)[10]
- Night Flight for piccolo, clarinet & piano (1995)[8]
- Into Each Life for flute, cello, piano, and percussion (1998)[11]
- Millennium Visions for clarinet and string quartet (2000)[12]
- The World Within for B-flat clarinet and cello (2000)[9]
- Scenes from the Holy Land for flute & percussion (2002)[8]
- Overture for Percussion for narrator, flute and 4 percussion (2003)[13]
- Atmospheres for trumpet & percussion (2005)[8]
References
- ^ a b Rehrig, William (1991). The Heritage Encyclopedia of Band Music. Integrity Press. p. 118. ISBN 9780918048080. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
- ^ a b Pfitzinger, Scott (March 1, 2017). Composer Genealogies. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. p. 81. ISBN 9781442272255. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
- ^ a b Montivette, Cordeiro (February 24, 2015). "Artist Profile: Composer Howard J. Buss' Muses Found on Earth, Heavens". Retrieved October 10, 2025.
- ^ Instrument Specialists to Conduct Music Clinic for Grenadiers. (January 27, 1982). The Avon Park Sun. Highlands News-Sun Group. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
- ^ McCormick, Kim (December 11, 1981). The Flute Music of Howard J. Buss. May/June 2009. Pg 39-40. Flute Talk Magazine. Retrieved December 15, 2025
- ^ Loose, Darla (December 11, 1982). During Basic Training Composer Was a Brat. Pg 2. The Tampa Tribune. Retrieved December 15, 2025.
- ^ [1] Nb: The American Prize.
- ^ a b c d e Allmusic.com. Howard J Buss. Compositions. 1951. Contemporary.
- ^ a b c The Clarinet. Volume 28, Issue 2. 2001. The University of Michigan. May 26, 2010. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
- ^ Allmusic. Modern Times for flute, percussion and narrator. Howard J Buss. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
- ^ Playback. ASCAP Member Magazine. Volume 5. Issue 2-4. September 13, 2019. The University of California. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
- ^ Uniform Titles for Music Koth, Michelle. ISBN 978-0-8108-5281-5. March 20, 2008. Bloomsbury Academic. pg 223. Retrieved October 10, 2025.
- ^ Gramophone magazine. Stone, Christopher. Volume 82. 2005. The University of California. September 13, 2010. Retrieved October 10, 2025.