Joseph Hallman

Joe Hallman is an American composer from Philadelphia.
Early life
Hallman was born in Philadelphia neighborhood, Fishtown/Port Richmond. His mother worked at a hospital. He attended Girard College, a K-12 prep school in North Philadelphia. He was introduced to music at the age of 12, at Girard. He voraciously went through all the instrument lockers in his High School Band room- settling on bassoon, but he continued to play flute, piccolo, alto clarinet, English horn, and percussion in the band. He studied bassoon with the well-known Philadelphia bassoon pedagogue, Shirley Curtiss. He entered into Curtiss's Woodwind Chamber music Program at the Settlement Music School. He gained a huge sense of repertoire by playing in many different groups. Joe was a member of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra and traveled on tours to Central Europe, Jordan, and Russia.
Conservatory
He began his formal study in composition upon entering the Cleveland Institute of Music, at 18. He studied composition with Margaret Brouwer and has participated in master classes with such artists as George Crumb, Christopher Rouse, Samuel Adler, Bernard Rands, John Corigliano, Libby Larsen, Chen Yi, John Harbison, Steven Mackey, Joseph Schwantner, Paul Schoenfeld, Bruce Adolphe, Joan Tower, Stephen Paulus, Eve Beglarian and George Tsontakis. His work in audio engineering and electronic music has allowed him to work with Alan Bise, Steven Kohn, Bruce Egre (Azica Records/Cleveland Orchestra), Frank Vale (Metrosync Studios) and Paul Blakemore (Telarc International). He has been an associate composer and artist-in-residence with Bright Sheng and Eve Beglarian, on separate occasions, at the Atlantic Center for the Arts in Florida.
While at Cleveland Institute of Music he met his most constant collaborator, Alisa Weilerstein (cellist), who premiered both of his Concertos for cello and chamber orchestra, Sonata in three movements, various solo pieces, and a duet for marimba and cello. This collaboration has brought him much recognition. His two concertos for Alisa Weilerstein were hailed by her as "totally amazing", and have also been aired on NPR.
His newest Concerto for Cello will be premiered in March 2008 in St. Petersburg, Russia with the St. Petersburg Chamber Philharmonic.
Collaborations/Commissions
His other collaborations and commissions have included those with the dramatic pianist, Anthony DeMare , the Cavani Quartet, the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra, Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Institute of Music New Music Ensemble, Ian Parker, Carol Jantsch, Elizabeth Starr-Masoudnia, and John Koen among others. He had the opportunity to work with the screenwriter/poet/novelist Antwone Fisher (from the films "Antwone Fisher" and "Finding Fish"), with the Cleveland Boy Choir in a commission for a choral work based on his poetry.
Joe has just finished new works for an upcoming May 2008 recital. (5/3/08) Included are Concerti for Tuba and Bass Clarinet. (for Carol Jantsch Philadelphia Orchestra) and Calvin Falwell). His “Divine Discontent”, a concertino for English horn was premiered in February 2008, by Philadelphia Orchestra English hornist Elizabeth Starr-Masoudnia, on the Phila. Orch.Chamber Series . "Home Variations" are a series of variations on the “New World” Theme. They are being written for New York Philharmonic's English Hornist, Thomas Stacy. Two versions are being created: one for recital series and one for chamber orchestra performances.
He has worked extensively with the American poet, Jessica Hornik. He has based works on her poetry. His most recent is a setting of three poems called "Arrivals" , "Pas De Fall", and "Pastorale". They are written for baritone (written for Brian Ming Chu), English horn, and two bass clarinets. They received their premiere on a recital called "Arrivals" (after the poem) in May 2008. He will work with the bassoonist Pascal Gallois, in October 2008, through a program run by the American Composers' Forum.
He has written an Alice ballet and dramaturgy for Actor, flute (doubling melodica), alto saxophone, harp, percussion, and string trio with seven dancers. It was premiered in April 2010 in San Diego. It was commissioned by the San Diego chamber music organization, Art of Elan, and the Colette Harding Dance Company.
Teaching
Joseph is on faculty at Drexel University in Philadelphia. He also teaches privately.
Discography
* Joseph Hallman & Alisa Weilerstein: Joseph Hallman Cello Concerto (the St. Petersburg) live recording of the premiere performance in St. Petersburg, Russia, available on iTunes and other major digital retailers. (released through jhallmanmusic)
*gogreengo: the ep. available on iTunes and other major digital retailers. available on iTunes and other major digital retailers. (released through jhallmanmusic)
*remix : remixes of the gogreengo EP by Peter Clement (P.O.N.Y.- Prince of New York), Megan Cauley (from Gemini Wolf), Jamie Johnson, DJ Carl Michaels, Paul Pinto, Michi Wiancko (Kono Michi), and Joseph Hallman. available on iTunes (11/24/09) and other major digital retailers. (released through jhallmanmusic)
*Rare But Serious Side Effects : remixes of Philadelphia band, Gemini Wolf- includes Hallman's "Music Made" remix of "Music You Make". released by/on earsnake.com
*gogreengo: VIM (Summer 2010) to be available on iTunes and all other major digital retailers.
Other Interesting Facts
Aside from music, Joseph has a number of other talents. He is a budding designer, who just completed a limited edition line of expertly crafted streetwear. He also enjoys exploring a wide range of cuisines from around the world; his favorite thus far is authentic Punjabi food. Joe has taken private cooking lessons and he has learned some of the secrets of Punjabi cooking. He has even created his own signature blend of freshly roasted and ground spices.

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