Current professional background
I am a Professor Emeritus at the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music and the Juilliard School in New York, United States. I retired from Eastman in 1995 and the Juilliard School in 2016, but I think it’s better to stay active.
Field of research
I have been composing music for pretty much my entire life. I have composed over 400 published works. I was very lucky to have had so many wonderful opportunities to learn from such esteemed composers as Paul Hindemith, Walter Piston, and Aaron Copland.
Purpose of your last research visit
During my last visit to Siegen, my wife and I ran a workshop for music students. I advised them on composition, and my wife conducting. Then in the evening the students got to showcase their results in a concert.
Relation to the University of Siegen and the local host
I first met Prof. Herchenröder at Eastman in 2008. We got talking, and I mentioned that I teach at the Freie Universität Berlin every summer, so Prof. Herchenröder said, why don’t you come along to Siegen at around the same time? So the next year, I attended the University of Siegen’s Alumni weekend. Since then I have been coming back to Siegen every couple of years. Over the years we have held various workshops and concerts in cooperation with organisations such as the Amerikahaus in Cologne, the German-American Society of Siegen-Wittgenstein, and the Nikolai Kirche in Siegen.
Future projects and Activities
I’m 90 years old, so I try not to make too many plans. But Prof. Herchenröder and I have some more exciting projects planned for the next time I come to Siegen.
Impressions of Siegen
This city has everything one needs, it has excellent restaurants and it has wonderful surroundings. I always enjoy coming here, it’s a little difficult to get here from Berlin but we try our best.