Background

Chou, Wen-Chung was born on July 28, 1923 in Chefoo, People's Republic of China. Came to the United States, 1946, naturalized, 1958.

Education

Bachelor of Science civil engineering, National Chunking University, 1945. Student, New England Conservatory Music, 1949. Master of Arts, Columbia University, 1954.

Studies with Edgard Varèse, 1954.

Career

Research associate in music, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, 1958-1959; lecturer in music, Brooklyn College, 1961-1962; lecturer in music, Hunter College, 1963-1964; from assistant professor music to associate professor to professor, Columbia University, New York City, 1964-1991; chairman music division, Columbia University, New York City, 1969-1989; chairman composition committee, Columbia University, New York City, 1969-1974; coordinator graduate studies, Columbia University, New York City, 1974-1975; associate dean, Columbia University, New York City, 1975-1976; vice dean academic affairs School of the Arts, Columbia University, New York City, 1976-1987; Fritz Reiner professor music composition, Columbia University, New York City, 1984-1991; Fritz Reiner professor emeritus music composition, Columbia University, New York City, since 1991; with Center for United States-China Art Exchange, Columbia University, New York City, since 1978. Research director Rockefeller Foundation Grant on Chinese Music and Theater, Columbia University, 1955-1957. Principal speaker United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization International Music Symposium, Manila, 1966.

Composer-in-residence Koussevitsky Composer's Studio, Tanglewood, 1970, 71. Guest teacher Berkshire Music Center, 1970. President Composers Recordings Inc., 1970-1975, honorary board directors, since 1980, member award selection committee American Music Center Publication, 1961.

Member selection committee student composers award Broadcast Music, Inc., 1961-1972. Secretary Composers Forum, 1964-1972, board directors, 1964-1975. Director Center for United States-China Arts Exchange, since 1978.

Artistic director Pacific Composers Conference, Sapporo, Japan, 1990. Keynote speaker World Days Festival International Society Contemporary Music/AsianComposers League, Hong Kong, 1988. Speaker International Symposium, Berlin, 1988.

Leader, lecturer International Composers' Workshop Gaudeamus Foundation, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 1988, 90, 92.

Achievements

• Wen-chung Chou has been listed as a noteworthy Composer by Marquis Who's Who.

Works

More photos

• book

  • Chou Wen-Chung and the Fallen Petals for Orchestra

    (Contains the score for "And the Fallen Petals". The durat...)

  • The Willows are New (After Want Wei's Yang Kuan). Piano Solo.
  • All the Spring Wind
  • And the Fallen Petals

Membership

Member Mayor's Committee on New York-Beijing Friendship City committee, since 1981. Board directors National Committee on United States-China Relations, 1975-1991. Member International Society Contemporary Music (board directors United States section 1960-1964, 67-69), American Composers Alliance (board governors 1963-1976), American Society University Composers (founding), American Academy Arts and Letters, Asian Composers League (honorary life), Society Asian Music (board directors since 1967).

Connections

S.Chung-chieh and Shou-hsien (Fu) C. Married Yi-an Chang, June 23 1962. Children: Luyen, Sumin.

Spouse:

Yi-an Chang

child:

Sumin Chou

child:

Luyen Chou