Jerod Impichchaachaaha Tate

Profile: Jerod Impichchaachaaha Tate, Chickasaw Composer

Byline/Source: jerodtate.com

Wednesday, 19 September 2007

Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate was born in 1968 in Norman, Oklahoma and is a citizen of the Chickasaw Nation. Mr. Tate is dedicated to the development of American Indian classical composition, and his recent review by The Washington Post states that “Tate’s connection to nature and the human experience was quite apparent in this piece…rarer still is his ability to infuse classical music with American Indian nationalism.” This review was a response to his recent performance of Iholba (The Vision), for Solo Flute, Orchestra and Chorus, which was commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra and premiered at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. "From an early age, I was saturated with music and theatre from both of my parents. My father, Charles, is currently a Tribal and Special District Judge in Oklahoma. He is also a classically trained pianist and vocalist who was heavily involved with opera and musical theatre performances throughout his college career. He continues vocal and theatrical performances to this day. As a child, I listened to his performances of Bach and Rachmaninoff, which had a decisive influence on my decision to be a pianist. My mother, Patricia, was a professor of dance and professional choreographer and spent her entire career in the theatre. Throughout my childhood, I spent evenings and weekends at my mother's rehearsals and performances for dance concerts, musicals and ballets. She was also the first person to commission music from me for her original ballet entitled Winter Moons. Winter Moons is based on American Indian stories from the Northern Plains and Rocky Mountains and provided my first opportunity to express myself as an American Indian through the fine arts." In 2006, Mr. Tate was the recipient of the Joyce Award which supports the commission of Nitoshi’ Imali, Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra, premiering in October, 2007, with soloist and GFA winner, Jason Vieaux, and the Civic Orchestra of Minneapolis, conducted by Cary John Franklin. His new work entitled Chikasha Imaaokla’, for orchestra and children’s chorus, commissioned by the American Composers Forum Continental Harmony Project, will celebrate the opening of the new Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulpher, Oklahoma in 2009. Tate received the 2006 Alumni Achievement Award from The Cleveland Institute of Music and has also received awards from Meet the Composer and the Percussive Arts Society. Mr. Tate received his BM in Piano Performance from Northwestern University where he studied with Dr. Donald J. Isaak. He then completed his MM in Piano Performance and Composition at The Cleveland Institute of Music where he studied with Elizabeth Pastor and Dr. Donald Erb. Shortly after beginning his piano studies at The Cleveland Institute of Music, Jerod’s first composition, Winter Moons ballet score, was commissioned by Dr. Patricia Tate and premiered at the University of Wyoming in 1992. Colorado Ballet subsequently performed it in 1994 and 1996. After the premiere and tour of Winter Moons, Mr. Tate returned to CIM and added composition to his degree program. Since then, Tate has retained numerous commissions and his works have been performed by the National Symphony Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, the Colorado Ballet, The New Mexico Symphony, the Contemporary Music Forum, Dale Warland Singers and the Oklahoma City University Wind Philharmonic, to name a few. Dream World Blesses Me, commissioned by the New Jersey Chamber Music Society was premiered in February 1997 at The Jersey City Museum. Performed within an exhibit of artwork by the Salish Indian artist, Jaune Quick-To-See Smith, the premiere took place as part of an historic event featuring works of contemporary American Indian composers. Tracing Mississippi, Concerto for Flute and Orchestra, was commissioned by Christine Bailey, principal flutist of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, and premiered in 2002 with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Ron Spigelman. The concerto is dedicated to Jerod’s wife, Ursula Running Bear. “Tate’s connection to nature and the human experience was quite apparent in this piece…rarer still is his ability to infuse classical music with American Indian nationalism.” Gail Wein - Washington Post “…a new musical stream unsullied by Hollywood and tourist stereotypes.” New York Times “His ear for colors produced vivid tonal images…the whole work is extraordinarily evocative…” Classical New Jersey “…an original voice…Let’s hear more.” Denver Rocky Mountain News “…tinged with sadness and noble drama…delicate and poignant writing…the orchestra paints a vast landscape of sonorities and ethereal textures.” Cleveland Plain Dealer “…evocative and skillfully written…” Strings Magazine “His music borrows from both traditions but is in debt to neither. Both traditions are richer for his efforts, and so are his listeners.” Billings Gazette “Tate showed a keen sense of sound…” Albuquerque Journal “…rhythmic, forceful and entertaining.” Laramie Daily Boomerang Mr. Tate is currently Composer-in-Residence for the Chickasaw Summer Arts Academy, and was Composer-in-Residence for the Grand Canyon Music Festival’s Native American Composer Apprentice Project in 2004 and 2005. He is also currently Composer-in-Residence for The Joyce Foundation/American Composers Forum, teaching composition to American Indian high school students in Minneapolis. "As my musical path has evolved, it has become equally important to help young American Indians find a voice in classical composition. In fact, I believe American Indians have a natural ability to represent themselves musically and intelligently in the classical fine arts. I am currently Composer-in-Residence for the Chickasaw Summer Arts Academy and the American Composers Forum/Joyce Award community outreach program. I was also Composer-in-Residence for the Grand Canyon Music Festival's Native American Composer Apprentice Program. All three programs provide classical composition instruction for American Indian students and feature their works in public performances."