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D. J. Sparr Leads Inaugural Memphis Composers Institute as Artistic Coordinator; Premieres New Viola Concerto
The Memphis Composers Institute, a new collaboration between the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, The Walden School, and the University of Memphis, debuts this February as a unique opportunity for emerging composers to develop their orchestral writing. The program culminates in a February 9 concert featuring the world premieres of four new orchestral works, including D. J.…
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The Tao of Muhammad Ali-podcast
With a host of world-class producers and under the auspices of Ron Howard and Brian Grazer’s Imagine Entertainment and IHeart Media, Davis Miller dedicated three years to producing, writing and hosting this show, the first genuinely visceral telling of his life-transforming, life-enlarging, genuinely unique and life-affirming friendship with the Great Man. This is not your…
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Sparr Concerto for Jazz Guitar premieres in Arkansas
The Arkansas Symphony will give the premiere performances of D.J. Sparr’s new Concerto for Jazz Guitar on April 9 and 10, with Ted Ludwig as soloist. Writing for guitar often stymies composers, but Sparr is unique in that he himself is an excellent guitarist who has premiered many new works, including Michael Daugherty’s Gee’s Bend.…
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Momenta Quartet premieres Sparr AVALOCH
D.J. Sparr’s new string quartet, Avaloch, was given it’s premiere by the Momenta Quartet at the Tenri Cultural Institue. New York Classical Review’s George Grelia reported: “Avaloch set the aesthetic tone for the entire concert, the unique sound of American homespun experimentation, free of ideology and full of curiosity. The piece revolves around an agitated,…
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Sparr Houston Grand Opera Premiere
On This Muddy Water: Voices from the Houston Ship Channel Wednesday, December 10, 5:30 p.m. Tudor Gallery, Julia Ideson Library 550 McKinney Street, Houston HGOco presents the world premiere of On This Muddy Water: Voices from the Houston Ship Channel by D. J. Sparr and Janine Joseph—a 30-minute song cycle for voices and chamber ensemble…
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Electric Guitar and Orchestra?
Think the electric guitar is just for rock bands and teenagers in garages? D.J. Sparr begs to differ. As a composer and guitarist, he’s changing the landscape. Symphony Magazine has more…
