David Crumb

David Crumb is a Professor of Composition and Theory at the University of Oregon School of Music and Dance, where he has been a faculty member since 1997. Prior to joining the University of Oregon, he served as a visiting professor at Duke University, UCLA, St. Mary's College of Maryland, and West Chester University. Born in 1962 into a musical family, Crumb is the son of world-renowned composer George Crumb and brother of singer/actress Ann Crumb.

Crumb earned his BMus in Composition and Cello from the Eastman School of Music in 1985, followed by an MA from the University of Pennsylvania in 1991, and a PhD in Composition from the University of Pennsylvania in 1992. His principal composition teachers included Mark Kopytman, Jay Reise, Richard Wernick, and Samuel Adler, with additional studies with Chinary Ung, Lukas Foss, Joseph Schwantner, Stephen Albert, and Stephen Jaffe.

Crumb's research interests focus on contemporary classical music composition, with particular emphasis on chamber music and orchestral works. His compositions are characterized as "richly tonal, and intensely coloristic" and demonstrate a unique voice that stands apart from his famous father's style. His works span various genres including solo piano, chamber ensembles, orchestral compositions, and vocal works.

His compositions reveal a consistent evolution in style, with recent works showing sophisticated integration of diverse musical elements. Crumb's music demonstrates mastery across multiple instrumental combinations, from intimate chamber works to large orchestral compositions. His recent output shows particular strength in piano composition and innovative approaches to percussion writing.

• Guggenheim Fellowship
• MacArthur Foundation Residency Award
• Fromm Music Foundation Commission
• Barlow Endowment Commission
• Aaron Copland Award
• Yaddo Colony Residency
• MacDowell Colony Residency
• Heckscher Prize (2014)

Crumb has received numerous commissions from prestigious organizations including the Los Angeles Philharmonic New Music Group, Orchestra 2001, Cassatt Quartet, and the University of Houston Percussion Ensemble. His works have been performed by major ensembles such as the Baltimore Symphony, Utah Symphony, and Cleveland Chamber Symphony. Crumb has also been involved in educational initiatives including composer residencies at the Oregon Bach Festival Composers Symposium and as featured guest composer at Washington State University's Festival of Contemporary Art Music.