Dave Volpe - Composer/Conductor/Pianist

New Recording!

Dave Volpe — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 16:28:51 +0000

I am thrilled to announce that a recording of the premiere of my newest piece, Gwinna, is now on the listen page. The performance took place on Sept 19th in the LeFrak Concert hall at Queens College.

Gwinna was a collaboration with harpist Emily John, who, along with flutist Jenn Forese and violist Sophia D’addio, delivered two incredible performances in New York City in September. I am no less than ecstatic with the outcome of this project and hope you all will enjoy listening.

On the page you will see a link to “The Story of Gwinna”, which gives some notes on the collaboration/compositional process and the book upon which the piece is based. I encourage you to read this before listening. Enjoy!

Upcoming Trio Performances

Dave Volpe — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:52:17 +0000

I am happy to announce the premeire of my piece for flute, viola, and harp entitled Gwinna, commissioned and to be performed by harpist Emily John. The piece will be the featured work on a rectial program that will be given twice in New York City in September. Both performances are free and open to the public. Details are as follows:

Modern Works for Harp
Emily John, Harp
Jenn Forese, Flute ~ Sophia D’Addio, Viola

Friday, Sept. 18, 7pm
Queens College, LeFrak Concert Hall
For directions, visit: http://www.qc.edu/directions

Sunday, Sep. 28, 7:30pm
Ann Goodman Recital Hall, Kaufman Center
129 w. 67th St, Manhattan

Back and Better Than Ever

Dave Volpe — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 19:51:27 +0000

Hello everyone. So I have indeed returned from Aspen with a whole new set of skills under my belt and a fresh batch of friends and connections that will last a lifetime. I have posted the clips I did while at Aspen on youtube. You can find them on my youtube profile page. Per the suggestion of our Aspen guru, Jack Smalley, I made some changes to my film music page. I will no longer be embedding movies onto the page, but rather have posted excerpts of my music so that any visiting filmmakers can envision their own work with mine. I have also added more samples to the Engraving page (score done in Aspen).

This fall is going to be very busy. I am in the midst of writing a trio for flute, viola, and harp that will be premiered on a recital in September by my dear harpist friend Emily. I am simultaneously writing an Alleluia for the St. Michael’s College Chorale, which will hopefully be done by the end of August and premiered with the group sometime in the spring. I am also going to be writing an orchestral work to submit to the Jacob Druckman Prize, a competition open to alumni of the Aspen Music Festival, which is due at the end of September. Wish me luck!

Aspen Blog

Dave Volpe — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 03:17:37 +0000

Greetings, loyal viewers! I leave for Aspen on Wednesday, June 11th. I’ll be keeping an internet blog of all my adventures, which you can view here: Dave Does Aspen! Comments are of course welcome. Thanks for your support!

Aspen Music Festival

Dave Volpe — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 23:47:49 +0000

I just today received word that I have been accepted into the Film Scoring Program at the Aspen Music Festival. Holy crap!!! Aspen is a world renown summer festival for instrumentalists and composers. The film scoring program lasts for five weeks and only accepts 5-6 people per year. Suffice it to say I am honored, thrilled, and freaking out!!!

New Film Clip Posted!

Dave Volpe — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 04:03:56 +0000

At long last, I have managed to get the clip I scored from “Bruce Almighty” at the 2007 ASCAP/NYU Film Scoring Workshop onto youtube! Check it out on the film music page.

Coventry at the United Nations

Dave Volpe — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 02:45:09 +0000

My arrangement of “Coventry Carol” is to be performed at the Church of the Holy Family, the parish of the United Nations (315 E 47th St, New York City), at their ceremony of Lessons and Carols on Christmas Eve night at 11:15pm. Do stop by if you’re in the area. Merry Christmas to all!

Updates

Dave Volpe — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 02:19:38 +0000

Hello Everyone! Happy Autumn. I’ve just updated all the sound files on the “Listen” page so that you will now hear lovely, crisp, unobstructed recordings. I also just added a new clip to the film music page - check it out, it’s fun. Have alot out in the universe right now, including applications for a Fulbright, the Aspen Music Festival, a grant from NYFA, and for an art song competition. Will post any good news right here.

Piece to be Performed by VCME, Oct 12, 13, 15

Dave Volpe — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 03:32:06 +0000

The Vermont Contemporary Music Ensemble is programming my recently completed piano piece “Goodbye, and Keep Cold” on their upcoming series of concerts entitled Viente. Performances will be held on October 12, 13, and 15 in locations throughout Vermont. For complete details, visit the group’s website, www.vcme.org.

Three Premieres in VT on Sept. 28

Dave Volpe — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 01:48:54 +0000

On September 28th, 2007, St. Michael’s College will premiere three of my pieces at their Academic Convocation. The works were commissioned as part of the Inauguration of their 16th President. Of special note is a piano work based on the Robert Frost poem “Goodbye, and Keep Cold”, written specially for Dr. Jack Neuhauser, the president elect of St. Michael’s. The piece will be performed by Annemieke Spoelstra, acclaimed pianist and former teacher of mine.

Also on the agenda are two new brass pieces to be performed by the St. Michael’s Brass Quintet under the direction of Stuart Carter. “Centennial Hymn” was originally written in 2004 and has been revamped and revised for its premiere at this event. There will also be an arrangment of the college song, “Hail, St. Michael’s”, complete with a new fanfare. Both of these will also be featured at the Inauguration Ceremony on Sept. 29th.

If you are in the area, please stop by and join me for this special occasion!