Robert Paterson

The son of two visual artists, Robert Paterson’s music is often inspired by nature, visual art, machines and American icons, and has been described in the press as “one of the major contenders in American music.” Paterson has received performances in the United States and abroad by many outstanding ensembles, including the Louisville Orchestra, Russian Chamber Orchestra, Orchestre National des Pays de la Loire, New York New Music Ensemble, Da Capo Chamber Players, California EAR Unit, Ensemble Aleph and at the June in Buffalo Festival. His many awards include a Copland Award, the Brian Israel Prize, the Louisville Orchestra Composition Competition and twice winning the ASCAP Young Composer's Award. He has received grants from the American Composers Forum, ASCAP and the American Music Center and fellowships to the MacDowell Colony, Yaddo, Aspen Music Festival and Atlantic Center for the Arts. He received degrees from Cornell University (DMA), Indiana University (MM) and the Eastman School of Music (BM). Beginning August 2009, Robert will begin a three year Music Alive residency with the Vermont Youth Orchestra Association, sponsored by Meet the Composer and the League of American Orchestras. Current projects include a new, full-length orchestral opera entitled A Child Possessed with librettist David Cote, a thirty-minute work for the MAYA Trio entitled The Book of Goddesses, and Deep Blue Ocean for two pianos. Paterson is the founder and Artistic Director of the American Modern Ensemble and resides in New York City with his wife, Victoria, a professional violinist, and their son Dylan.