-biography

Matthew D. Harder is Assistant Professor of percussion and music technology at West Liberty State College. Dr. Harder teaches Electronic Music, Recording Techniques, Music Appreciation, Fundamentals of Percussion and private lessons in Percussion and Composition. Dr. Harder has been employed at institutions of higher learning in Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin and Florida. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Illinois Wesleyan University, two Masters degrees from Bowling Green State University in Percussion and Composition, and a Doctor of Music degree in Composition from Northwestern University. Dr. Harder is active as a performer, clinician and composer who has had his works performed in numerous cities around the country. His compositions have received numerous awards, including the William T. Faricy award for creative composition from Northwestern University in 2000. Dr. Harder often leads performances of dance-drumming music from Ghana, West Africa. He studied with the Ewe people of Ghana in 1998 with a group from Bowling Green. See "samples" list on the right for clips of his performances. Dr. Harder's works have been performed by the following ensembles and individuals: Juventas Dr. Tama Kott, bassoon Dr. Gerald Lee, piano Mary Beth Malek, clarinet Northwestern University Contemporary Music Ensemble Todd Brunel, clarinet Cleveland Chamber Symphony

Friday, May. 16th, 2008