Peter Kurau
Encyclopedia
W. Peter Kurau is the Associate Professor of Horn and Chamber Music at the Eastman School of Music as well as the Principal Horn
of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
. He currently resides in Honeoye Falls with his wife, soprano
singer Pamela Kurau.
. He would often observe them rehearsing in his childhood home, preparing for church.
performing with many professional orchestra and ensembles. He has appeared in such events as the 2008 International Horn Society
convention, the College Music Society convention, the Music Educators' National Conference, and the Music Teachers' National Association convention, as well as many others.
When his teacher Verne Reynolds, a charter member and founder of the Eastman Brass retired in 1990, Kurau became his successor.
Peter Kurau first joined the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra as Assistant Principal Horn (1983-1995), and was appointed Principal Horn in 2004.
In 1991, he was the first soloist to perform as a recently discovered and reconstructed version of Mozart's Rondo, K. 371 for horn and orchestra.
, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama
, Royal College of Music
, University of Connecticut
, and Florida State University
, where his principal teachers were Verne Reynolds, David Cripps
, and William Capps
.
Since 1995, he has served as Associate Professor of Horn at the Eastman School of Music
, where he also performs as the Director of the Eastman Horn Choir.
He often commissions
and premier
s new works for horn, such as compositions by important composers such as Verne Reynolds, John Cheetham, and James Willey.
He previously served on the faculties of the University of Missouri-Columbia, SUNY-Geneseo, Roberts Wesleyan College, Houghton College and Nazareth College
Horn (instrument)
The horn is a brass instrument consisting of about of tubing wrapped into a coil with a flared bell. A musician who plays the horn is called a horn player ....
of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra is an American orchestra based in the city of Rochester, Monroe County, New York. Its primary concert venue is the Eastman Theatre at the Eastman School of Music....
. He currently resides in Honeoye Falls with his wife, soprano
Soprano
A soprano is a voice type with a vocal range from approximately middle C to "high A" in choral music, or to "soprano C" or higher in operatic music. In four-part chorale style harmony, the soprano takes the highest part, which usually encompasses the melody...
singer Pamela Kurau.
Younger Kurau
Professor Kurau came from a musical background. His mother was a soprano singer and his father was an organistOrganist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
. He would often observe them rehearsing in his childhood home, preparing for church.
Performing career
Kurau is an active soloistSolo (music)
In music, a solo is a piece or a section of a piece played or sung by a single performer...
performing with many professional orchestra and ensembles. He has appeared in such events as the 2008 International Horn Society
International Horn Society
The International Horn Society is the primary international organization dedicated to players of the horn. It was founded in June 1970.It holds a symposium each year and publishes a journal, The Horn Call.-Formation:...
convention, the College Music Society convention, the Music Educators' National Conference, and the Music Teachers' National Association convention, as well as many others.
When his teacher Verne Reynolds, a charter member and founder of the Eastman Brass retired in 1990, Kurau became his successor.
Peter Kurau first joined the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra as Assistant Principal Horn (1983-1995), and was appointed Principal Horn in 2004.
In 1991, he was the first soloist to perform as a recently discovered and reconstructed version of Mozart's Rondo, K. 371 for horn and orchestra.
Education and teaching career
He received his formal education at the Eastman School of MusicEastman School of Music
The Eastman School of Music is a music conservatory located in Rochester, New York. The Eastman School is a professional school within the University of Rochester...
, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Guildhall School of Music and Drama is an independent music and dramatic arts school which was founded in 1880 in London, England. Students can pursue courses in Music, Opera, Drama and Technical Theatre Arts.-History:...
, Royal College of Music
Royal College of Music
The Royal College of Music is a conservatoire founded by Royal Charter in 1882, located in South Kensington, London, England.-Background:The first director was Sir George Grove and he was followed by Sir Hubert Parry...
, University of Connecticut
University of Connecticut
The admission rate to the University of Connecticut is about 50% and has been steadily decreasing, with about 28,000 prospective students applying for admission to the freshman class in recent years. Approximately 40,000 prospective students tour the main campus in Storrs annually...
, and Florida State University
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
, where his principal teachers were Verne Reynolds, David Cripps
David Cripps
David Cripps is an active horn-player and conductor. He was principal horn in the London Symphony Orchestra during the years that they played Star Wars and Superman. He has also performed with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, the Hallé Orchestra, and the Philharmonia Orchestra...
, and William Capps
William Capps
William Capps was born in Norfolk County, England in or around 1575. William married Catherine Jernagin in Norwich, Norfolk County, England, 11-Dec-1596, at...
.
Since 1995, he has served as Associate Professor of Horn at the Eastman School of Music
Eastman School of Music
The Eastman School of Music is a music conservatory located in Rochester, New York. The Eastman School is a professional school within the University of Rochester...
, where he also performs as the Director of the Eastman Horn Choir.
He often commissions
Commission (art)
In art, a commission is the hiring and payment for the creation of a piece, often on behalf of another.In classical music, ensembles often commission pieces from composers, where the ensemble secures the composer's payment from private or public organizations or donors.- Commissions for public art...
and premier
Premier
Premier is a title for the head of government in some countries and states.-Examples by country:In many nations, "premier" is used interchangeably with "prime minister"...
s new works for horn, such as compositions by important composers such as Verne Reynolds, John Cheetham, and James Willey.
He previously served on the faculties of the University of Missouri-Columbia, SUNY-Geneseo, Roberts Wesleyan College, Houghton College and Nazareth College