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Kent Wheeler KennanAmerican composer and music educator.
Date of Birth: 18.04.1913
Country:  USA |
Content:
- A Trailblazing Composer and Educator: The Life of Kent Kennan
- Rising Star Composer
- Shift to Teaching
- Influential Texbook Author
- Transcriber and Arranger
A Trailblazing Composer and Educator: The Life of Kent Kennan
Early Life and EducationKent Kennan, an American composer and music educator, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He earned degrees from the University of Michigan and the Eastman School of Music, followed by an apprenticeship in Rome.
Rising Star Composer
In the 1940s and 1950s, Kennan gained recognition as a promising composer. His orchestral piece "Night Soliloquy" was performed by renowned conductors, and his Sonata for Trumpet and Piano became a staple in trumpet conservatories.
Shift to Teaching
In 1956, Kennan made a pivotal decision to prioritize teaching and educational outreach over composition. He joined the faculty of the University of Texas at Austin, where he taught from 1940 to 1983, with a brief hiatus in the mid-1950s.
Influential Texbook Author
Kennan's authoritative textbook "The Technique of Orchestration" became a seminal work in the field. Published in 1952, it went through six editions, culminating in its final release in 2002. He also authored a textbook on counterpoint.
Transcriber and Arranger
Kennan's contributions extended beyond composition to transcription and arrangement. Notably, his clarinet transcription of Prokofiev's flute sonata remains a popular repertoire for clarinetists, famously performed by Richard Stoltzman.
