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Composer Jennifer Higdon
introduces Cold Mountain Suite
Jennifer Higdon and
“Dreaming Up Musical Worlds”
WCRB | By Laura Carlo
Published March 21, 2022
She’s one of the most prominent groundwork for a dazzling track record
composers of our time, having won and biography.
the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for her Violin In a recent e-mail interview, Dr. Higdon
Concerto, as well as three Grammy told me that she’s a big fan of America’s
Awards for Best Contemporary Classical National Parks. “I grew up near the
Composition (in 2010, 2018, and 2020). Smoky Mountains, and I used to hike
But Jennifer Higdon came to classical a lot and once hiked across the Grand
music later than most composers. Canyon (26 miles). I love to travel and
Although she was exposed to art and explore other countries, and I love
taken to exhibitions by her father going to movies (I see a lot of movies).
Charles Higdon, an artist, she wasn’t For composing, I prefer to just be in my
exposed to much classical music as studio at home; I’ve had residencies at
she was growing up. At Bowling Green artist colonies, but nothing beats the
State University, she took her first comfort and familiarity of the place
steps into composition supported by where I spend every day dreaming up
conductor Robert Spano, laying the musical worlds.”
PAGE 32 Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra
