The composition “Brass Quintet" by Glenn Korff School of Music Lecturer Nels Drew Daily will be performed by the River Falls Brass on Oct. 26.
His composition is one of only 10 pieces chosen as Finalists out of 77 submissions from composers from eight countries for the Van Galen Composition Prize.
The Van Galen Composition Prize is unique as the audience members will vote for the winning composition after all ten pieces are performed in a public concert at Abbott Hall in River Falls. This is uncommon as usually a panel of composers vote for composition prizes.
“I was pleasantly surprised to get a call informing me that my ‘Brass Quintet’ was accepted to the workshop and that I was a finalist for the Van Galen Prize,” Daily said. “I’m honored to be a finalist at the event and am looking forward to learning from the prestigious composers at the workshop. Because of its difficulty, I was never completely satisfied with previous performances of my ‘Brass Quintet,’ so I’m excited to see what the River Falls Brass can do for this work. Because they chose to tackle it, I have high hopes for this performance.”
Daily composed “Brass Quintet” in 2007 while he was still a Master’s student at the University of Utah and was premiered by the Brass Tacks Quintet at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City in 2007.
“It is a piece of music utilizing modern techniques in three short movements,” Daily said. “The first is a ‘Herald,’ the second slow and dark, and the third fast and rhythmic. The third movement, ‘Relay,’ is especially threatening for performers. There are shifting and irregular time signatures and simultaneous independent lines. That makes it a very challenging piece. But when performed well, it’s quite exciting!”
Daily has had his compositions performed around the world and has won many composition awards, but never before one chosen by audience vote.
Nels' compositions vary in style and technique, utilizing methods ranging from conservative aspects of tonality to serial and 12-tone methods. Characteristics of his music include attention to counterpoint, percussive and aggressive driving rhythms, irregular meter, classical and poetic forms.
His compositions have been performed by various musicians and ensembles including the Canyonlands New Music Ensemble, Brass Tacks Quintet, Cathedral Brass Quintet, ChamberMix Ensemble and the Meadowlark Trio. His music was also featured on NET Radio with the late William Stibor.
Daily will be present at the University of Wisconsin River Falls Composition Workshop, Oct. 24-26, attending presentations, rehearsals and the final concert on Oct. 26.
The Van Galen Composition Prize is a cash award of $500 plus a professional recording session for the composer and presentation on Youtube.
Daily completed his doctoral studies in composition at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where he studied with Prof. Tyler White. He also holds Master’s from the University of Utah and a Bachelor of Science in music from Brigham Young University-Idaho. Originally from Livermore, Calif., he now lives in Lincoln.
An accomplished music engraver, Daily produces newly engraved fine sheet music through ND Music Edition. He maintains a catalogue of standard and new works that range from Bach to the contemporary music of Robert Owens.