Sunday, March 5, 2023 @ 4:00 p.m.
Gainesville First United Methodist Church – Gainesville, GA
Fueled by a passion to share new music that engages conductors, ensembles, and audiences alike, Michael John Trotta (b.1978) is fast becoming one of the most exciting and prominent new composers of choral music. Drawing on his experience as a conductor and clinician, he brings artistry and excellence within reach for thousands of musicians each year.
From Carnegie Hall to classrooms all over the world, Trotta’s unique blend of engaging and artistic music creates opportunities to experience new music and empowers individuals to realize their artistic potential. His engaging style fuses tradition and innovation to create moments of beauty that “effectively carry out a dialogue between the [music] and the modern listener.” (Choral Journal)
Prior to his work as a full-time composer, his experience as an educator at the elementary, middle school, high school, and university levels – as well as a church music director – infuses his works with an intimate knowledge of the human voice and a rare sensitivity to the capabilities of a choral ensemble. This, combined with his degrees in music education and a doctorate in choral conducting, have grounded his style in tradition, which blend with his modern sensibilities to “inform the thoughts and aspirations of the people and the time” (Choral Scholar) and to create “tender harmonies and a palette of glowing vocal and instrumental colors.” (Gramophone)
Driven by a desire to support hardworking directors who work to bring out the best in their ensembles, Trotta has developed keynotes that connect conductors to the educational and artistic goals that drew them to the profession in the first place. “Your Perfect Choir,” “Developing Artistry,” and “Empowering Ensembles” create experiences that connect people to the power of music and its ability transcend barriers and teach us more about each other and ourselves.
An ardent advocate for under-resourced and overworked arts organizations, Trotta has pioneered the development of the consortium model of commissioning. As a result, the opportunity to premiere a major work for choir and orchestra is now within reach for more choirs than ever before. The Carnegie Hall premiere of the inaugural work, Seven Last Words, was heralded as a “modern classic.” Passionate about removing barriers to new music and artistic excellence, Trotta’s “Win a Free Commission” initiative allows any choir the opportunity to have a work written for them at no cost to the ensemble.
Recently, Dr. Trotta has had world premieres commissioned for conventions at TMEA (Texas Music Educators Association) and ACDA (American Choral Directors Association), in addition to being invited to conduct premieres of commissioned major works at Carnegie Hall, and at St. Paul’s Papal Basilica in Rome.
His works are published through JW Pepper, Carl Fischer, ECS Publishing, MorningStar Music, Hal Leonard, Choristers Guild, BriLee Music, Shawnee Press, Alliance Music, GIA, Kjos, Colla Voce, and Walton Music. His select concert music is published by Hampton Roads Music and is distributed by GIA Publications/Walton Music.
Read reviews of his works in Choral Journal, Choral Scholar, and Gramophone, or watch his Inside Voice interview with JW Pepper.
Recordings can be found on iTunes for the following works: Magnifcat, For a Breath of Ecstasy, Light Shines in the Darkness, Seven Last Words, Totus Tuus and Gloria.
When he is not traveling for guest conducting and composer residencies, Dr. Trotta spends his time at the beach in Red Bank, New Jersey where he lives with his wife Rachel and his daughter Gabriella.
You can connect with Michael John Trotta at www.mjtrotta.com.
