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Leroy Osmon
Info
05/27/1948
Washington, Indiana
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USA
20th Century
Chamber, Ballet, Wind Ensemble
Washington, Indiana
-
-
USA
20th Century
Chamber, Ballet, Wind Ensemble
Biography
Although born in Washington, Indiana Leroy Osmon grew up and lived for 44 years in east Texas. As a student in the Texas public school system he studied clarinet and saxophone. His first composition and orchestration teacher was Charles "Pete" Wiley. Osmon holds degrees from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas (B.S.), a Masters of Music from Sam Houston State University (Huntsville, Texas) in composition (studying with Fisher Tull), conducting (Gary Sousa) and musicology (James Marks). While working on his DMA at the University of Houston, Osmon studied composition with Michael Horvit and conducting with Eddie Green.
Osmon continues to receive commissions for all music genres and he has received the ASCAP Standard Music Award for Composition 12 times and the Medallion La Ville De Contrexeville (Contrexeville, France) twice. His works have been performed at every major music conference in the United States. The year 2003 marked the eleventh consecutive year for his music to be performed at the prestigious Midwest International Music Clinic. Leroy Osmon was one of 5 composers selected to have their music studied and presented at the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles 1988 conference in Manchester, England. Paula Crider, then University of Texas director, presented his Symphony for Winds and Percussion at the WASBE conference. His music has been performed throughout the United States of America as well as in Europe, Australia, Japan, Israel and Mexico.
Most recent performances include premiers in Houston, Chicago, San Antonio, Xalapa (Veracruz, Mexico), Merida (Yucatan, Mexico) and New Yorkís famous Carnegie Hall. Osmonís published works number more than 40, including a new book on the composer Percy Grainger. Recordings of Osmonís compositions are available from Mark Custom Recording Service and include works for band, chamber ensemble and the complete score to his ballet "A Sea of Seven Colors". Published works are available from RBC Music in San Antonio, Texas.
After working for 30 years as a public school band director and teaching as an adjunct professor at the University of Houston, Osmon now lives in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico with his wife Dr. Cay Smith Osmon and their three cats (Baby, Miss Kitty and BooBoo Bear). He is presently a consultant with both the Institute of Culture for the State of Yucatan and for the University of Yucatan (UADY) chamber orchestra.
Main Works
Concert Band:
Elegy: Sixteen Minutes from Home (symphonic band)
Hebrew Rhapsody (symphonic band)
Hebrew Folk Song Suite No. 3 (symphonic band)
Chamber Ensemble:
Sonatina for Trumpet and Viola
Fantasies for Solo Clarinet (revised)
The Kesten Suite for Flute and Tuba
Frescos de Bonampak (Octet No. 2 for 8 tubas)
Ballet:
A Sea of Seven Colors