Steven Mackey was born in 1956, to American parents stationed in Frankfurt, Germany. He is regarded as one of the leading composers of his generation and has composed for orchestra, chamber ensembles, dance and opera. His first musical passion was playing the electric guitar in rock bands based in northern California. He blazed a trail in the 1980's and 90's by including the electric guitar and vernacular music influence in his concert music and he regularly performs his own work, including two electric guitar concertos and numerous solo and chamber works. He is also active as an improvising musician and performs with his band Big Farm.
Steven Mackey appears in the following:
Five and a Half Things I Say on the First Day of Orchestration Class
Saturday, April 23, 2016
For our Symphomania celebration of 21st century orchestral music, composer Steven Mackey offers insight into the processes and misconceptions of orchestration.
'One Red Rose' Sets JFK's Assassination to Music
Monday, November 25, 2013
Composer Steven Mackey was only 7-years-old when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963. But he still has vivid memories from the tragedy, an...
