Woodbury, Arthur N(eum)
Woodbury, Arthur N(eum)
Woodbury, Arthur N(eum), American composer, bassoonist, saxophonist, and teacher; b. Kimball, Nebr., June 20, 1930. He studied composition with William Billingsley at the Univ. of Idaho (B.S., 1951; M.M., 1955). After private composition lessons with Robert Morton in San Francisco (1956-57), he pursued postgraduate composition studies with Imbrie at the Univ. of Calif. at Berkeley (1957-58). He later studied computer music at Stanford Univ. (1970). He pursued a vigorous career as a performer, both as a member of various orchs. and as a soloist. From 1963 to 1972 he taught at the Univ. of Calif. at Davis. From 1967 to 1972 he served as ed. of the avant-garde journal Source. In 1972 he joined the faculty of the Univ. of South Fla. in Tampa, where he was a prof. from 1987 until 1998. In 1999 he joined the Harry James Orch. Woodbury’s early works were written in a traditional modern idiom; later he branched out as a composer of experimental music, making use of electronics and aleatory techniques.
Works
Woodwind Quartet (1955); Sym. (1958); Introduction and Allegro for Band (1965); Autobiography: Patricia Belle for Soprano, Live Electronics, and Amplified Instruments (1968); Recall, theater piece for Actor, Tape, and Live Electronics (1969); Remembrances, trio for Violin, Alto Saxophone, and Vibraphone (1969); Velox, computer piece (1970); WernerVonBraunasaurus Rex for Electronic Piano, Guitar, and Moog Synthesizer (1979); Jazz Fugue for Saxophone Quartet and Accompaniment (1980); Diversions for Piano (1980-83); Passacaglia, Interlude, and Canon for Organ (1981; also for Concert Band, 1984); Tocata española for Marimba or Percussion and Cello (1983); No More Jim Beam, Please for Jazz Quartet (1985); Learnin’ the Blues for Jazz Quintet (1986); Wild Nights for Voice and Piano (1988); Variations on a Cadenza for Flute and Percussion (1989); 3 Brief Pieces for Clarinet and Bassoon (1990); Homage to Erik for Trumpet and Piano (1993); When Nod Dreams for 2 Oboes and English Horn (1994); Little Serenade for Guitar (1995); Recuerdos de Cuba for Orch. (1997); Possible Musics II for Amplified Cello and Tape (1997).
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire