b i o
David Vess is a composer, musician and teacher. He seeks to write deeply personal works for his friends and collaborators. He writes concert works for college and community ensembles as well as soundtracks for video games, podcasts and visual media. The Brockton Enterprise described the premiere of his brass fanfare, Ignite, as "a real barnburner." He was awarded the 2016 Roger Sessions Memorial Composition Award and was the winner of the 2014 Sinfonietta Composition Competition, both at the Boston Conservatory. Vess' music has been commissioned and performed in the US, Canada, Italy and Japan by ensembles and soloists such as the Brockton Symphony Orchestra, the Bridgewater State University Wind Ensemble, violinist Sharan Leventhal, cellist Kevin MacFarland, ShikiDuo, Boston Musica Viva, and the International Contemporary Ensemble.
Originally from Asheville, North Carolina, David holds degrees from the Boston Conservatory and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. David currently teaches tuba and composition at Bridgewater State University. He is the principal tubist of the Cape Ann Symphony and teaches beginner piano at Ivy Music Academy. When not doing something music related, David enjoys learning about the Alexander Technique, hiking in NH and reading David Mitchell. He lives in Foxborough, MA with his partner, Alexander Technique teacher and clarinetist, Sophie Kass.
c o m p o s i t i o n a l p r o f i l e
Melodicism- narrativity, memorability, ear-worms, fragmentary, thematic development, lyrical quality
Harmonic Language- non-functional harmony, extension, superimposition, bi-tonality, atonality, post-romantic, chordiods
Minimalistic Rhythmic Techniques- repetitive and additive figures, expansive textures, shelving, mixed-meter, groove-based
Experimental Tendencies- tuba multiphonics, unusual instrumental combinations, de-tuning strings, eclectic percussion
c u r r e n t p r o j e c t s
My Music Blog- I am posting a new electronic soundtrack every month as I learn Logic Pro X this year. Here is the link.
livewire- a concert for bass clarinet and chamber orchestra for my good friend, David Angelo. This is a project for all of 2020.