Composer Lance Hulme has a multi-faceted career as keyboardist, conductor, arranger and educator. His music has been performed throughout the U.S., Europe, Asia and South America and has garnered both critical and audience acclaim. Recordings of his music include compact disk releases on the Albany, Bridge, LiveNotes, Ablaze and Métier labels (see CDs). His music is published by Donemus Publishing.
Critics have described Hulme as a “chameleon composer” (Gilles Quental). “A craftsman with a fine ear and a formidable technique” (Classical Voice North Carolina) whose musical oeuvre encompasses a “wide range” (Knowing the Score) of musical genres and styles. His music “cannot be pigeon-holed into one compositional school” (Die Badische Neueste Nachrichten) but rather draws upon the diverse elements of his musical experience to “weave a rich expressive texture.” (Die Rheinpfalz Zeitung) He “reflects the ambience and musical approach of the North American musical tradition. Compositional eclecticism, a conscience, playful and uninhibited attitude with tradition and the crossover between ‘serious’ and vernacular music. All these elements are to be found as well as the most advanced structural and aural techniques” (Die Rheinpfalz Zeitung). Hulme’s music has won many awards including Grand Prize, International Witold Lutoslawski Composition Competition, 1st Prize, ASCAP/Rudolf Nissim Prize, Grand Prize, International Trumpet Guild Composition Competition and awards from the Composición Musical Cuitat de Tarragona, Citta di Trieste Orchestra Competition and the Ladislav Kubik Composition Competition. Most recently, he was awarded First Prize, 2021 Malta International Composition Competition. Notable performances and commissions include Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Southern German Radio, the State Theater of Baden, the State Orchestra of Magdeburg, West German Radio, the Karlsruhe University Chorus, the Raschèr Saxophone Orchestra, Quattro Mani, the Henschell Quartet and others. His compositions have been presented at ISCM, Warsaw Autumn, Eastern Music Festival and Aspen Summer festivals. He has been a fellow at the MacDowell Colony and was awarded a two-year Fulbright Grant to Austria.
Lance Hulme studied at the Yale University School of Music, the Eastman School of Music and the University of Minnesota and he also studied at the Universität für Musik in Vienna, Austria.
From the beginning, Lance Hulme pursued an eclectic musical career encompassing many different aspects of music-making. His first conducting appearance was the premiere of a piece written for his high school orchestra. Throughout his undergraduate study of classical composition, Lance Hulme played keyboards in various jazz and pop groups, wrote and directed musicals and stage music and transcribed and arranged music for other performers. An interim period followed where he was keyboardist for the jazz-fusion band Dreamscape and was associated with the then Minnesota Composers Forum. Following graduate study, he went to Vienna, Austria on a Fulbright Grant, staying in Europe for eighteen years. During that time, he co-founded and directed Ensemble Surprise, an eclectic chamber ensemble which featured “700 years of new music”, of which he was the “Rector Spiritus who knows exactly what to do with such an ensemble”. (Die Rheinpfalz) He also worked as a freelance musician, arranger and transcriber for a wide variety of ensembles and individuals and taught at various institutions. As pianist, he has been described as “a carefully prepared virtuoso”. (Die Badische Neueste Nachrichten)
In 2003, an offer to teach brought Dr. Hulme back to the U.S. and he is currently professor at North Carolina Central University where he directs the music theory and composition program. He also on the faculty for the NCCU FabLab and teaches Music Technology. His “Basic Training in Music Skills Music Theory Manual” and “Basic Training in Music Skills Analysis Workbook”, are available through Kendall Hunt Publishing (see Education). He also is director of a concert series, À la carte, which presents music from a wide variety of genres, styles and epochs. In the years since its debut, À la carte has risen in the ranks to be one of the most important concert series in North Carolina. “À la carte has earned it’s audience’s confidence and respect.” (Classical Voice North Carolina) Information about À la carte can be found at www.alcgreensboro.com
Hulme’s interests also include music technology, both as composer and educator. He was teaching assistant in the Center for Studies in Music Technology (CSMT) at Yale University and a long-time guest artist at the Center for Art and Technology (ZKM). His compositions using computers have been presented in many venues including interactive collaborations with choreographers and visual artists. Most recently, he has worked extensively with dance real-time installations at the Modern Repertory Dance Theater. His educational software uses technology to achieve remarkable results in aural skills and music fundamentals. He is also a sound engineer and has produced many recordings including releases with Albany and Ablaze Records.
OPERA
And the sea shall give up its dead
Solo: Sop (Mez)/T/B; Chor: SATB (solo)
Orch.: Fl/Cl (Bs)/Tp/Tb/2 Perc/Pf/Va/Vc
Premiere: Aspen Music Festival, Aspen, CO.
A Confederacy of Dunces - opera scenes
Solo: Sop/Mezzo/Mezzo or Ten/Ten/Bar; Orch.: 2 pianos
Premiere: New Music New Haven, New Haven, CT
The Ebony Tower – opera scenes
Solo: Sop /Mezzo/Ten/Bar
Premiere: Greensboro, NC
December Night
Solo: Sop /Mezzo/Ten/Bar/Chorus
ORCHESTRA
Stargazing
Sop/3/3(Eng Hn.)/3(Bs Cl)/3(Cbn)//4/3/3/1//3 Perc/Hp/8/8/6/4/3
Premiere: Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra, Tokyo, Japan
Stealing Fire
3/3(Eng Hn.)/3(Bs Cl)/3(Cbn)//4/3/3/1//3 Perc/Pf/Hp/8/8/6/4/3
Premiere: Pioneer Valley Orchestra, Greenfield, MA
Sirens’ Song
3/3(Eng Hn.)/3(Bs Cl)/3(Cbn)//4/3/3/1//5 Perc/Pf/Hp/8/8/6/4/3
Premiere: Univ. of Oklahoma Philharmonic, Norman, OK
Un roseau pensant
1/1(Eng Hn)/1(Bs Cl)/1//1/1/1/1//2 Perc/Pf/Hp/4/4/3/3/2
Premiere: Badische Staatskapelle, Karlsruhe, Germany
Threnody for the Victims of September 11, 2001 In Pegno Music
Women’s Chorus (or solo), Str. (Vn I, VnII, Va, Vc)
Premiere: New Century Ensemble, Norman, OK
Baritone; Orch.: 2/2/2/1//1/0/0/0/Hp/6/6/4/2/1 (Text: J. Donne)
Premiere: ESSO Orchestra, Rochester, NY
Lullaby
Baritone; Orch.: Hp, Str: 6/6/4/2/1 (Text: W.H. Auden)
Premiere: Handprint Concert Series, Rochester, NY
CONCERT WIND ENSEMBLE
Leaps and Bounds
Premiere: Univ. of Maryland Symphonic Wind Ensemble
Three Debussy Preludes (arr.)
JAZZ ENSEMBLE
All Smiles
Premiere: NCCU Big Band
My Favorite Things
Premiere: NCCU Vocal Jazz Ensemble
LARGE ENSEMBLE
Odyssey Allusions
Sextet (Fl/Cl/Pno/Perc./Vn/Vc)
Premiere: New Century Ensemble, Norman, OK
Wildcat Scat
Saxophone Orchestra (9 parts, 4 soli, 5 tutti)
Premiere: Raschèr Saxophone Orchestra, Würzburg, Germany
Flame Dances
Fl/Sop Sx/Va/3 Perc (1 elec. drum pad)/2 Synth/Bs Guit
Premiere: Badische Staatskapelle, Karlsruhe, Germany
Flame Dance
Fl/Sop Sx/Va/2 Perc/2 Synth/Bs Guit
Premiere: Ensemble Surprise, Trier, Germany
Ice Nine
Fl/Ob/Cl/Bn/Bs Tb/Perc (elec. drum)/Synth/Bs Guit
Premiere: New Music New Haven, New Haven, CT
Octour pour la fin du siècle
Fl (Picc)/Cl (Bass)/Hn/Bn (Cbn)/Pf/Vn/Va/Vc)
Premiere: Badische Staatskapelle, Karlsruhe, Germany
Songs of the Cynics
Duets for Sop, Mez; Fl/Ob/Cl/Bn/Hn/2 Perc/Pf/Vn/Va/Vc/Bs
Premiere: Badische Staatskapelle, Karlsruhe, Germany
Aldington Songs
Mez, Fl/Cl (Bs Cl)/ Pf/Vib/Vn/Vc (Text: R. Aldington)
Premiere: Aspen Music Festival, Aspen, CO
CHAMBER MUSIC
String Quartet No. 1 “Other Borders”
Premiere: Schönberg Quartet, Vienna, Austria
String Quartet No. 2 “Veronica’s Veil”
Premiere: Henschell Quartett, Bruchsal, Germany
Vanity Fanfare
Brass quintet
Premiere: Oklahoma University Brass Quintet
Gateways Quintet
Brass quintet
Premiere: Eastern Music Festival
Opium Inspirations
Trios for Flute, Clarinet and Cello
Premiere: Stuttgart, Germany
Rocket Hocket
Duo for Tenor and Bass Trombone
Premiere: Ensemble Surprise, Baden-Baden, Germany
Manic Music for 2 Maniacal Pianists
Duo for 2 Pianos (2-4 players)
Premiere: Klammer4, Karlsruhe, Germany
Sax Attractor
Soprano Saxophone, Piano
Premiere: Beijing, China
Reel to Real
Violin, Piano
Premiere: Greensboro, NC
Astralis Sonata
Flute, Piano
Premiere: Atlanta, GA
Elegy for a Sultry Afternoon
Trumpet, Piano
Premiere: College City, MD
Jethro Zen
Flute and Electric Guitar
Premiere: Durham, NC
The Street Has Changed
Mezzo-soprano, trumpet and piano
Premiere: Eastern Music Festival
Reed Buster Rhapsody
2 tenor saxophones
Premiere: Collapss, Greensboro, NC
Bandaloop Dances
Six etudes for piano solo
Premiere: Durlach, Germany
Niece’s Pieces
Solo piano for children
An Eternal Flame
Solo violin
Slapdash
Solo vibraphone
Premiere: Durham, NC
Slapdash redux
Vibraphone duet
Premiere: Trieste, Italy
Slapdash pour les quatre
2 vibraphones. 2 marimbas
Melody and Elaborations
trombone and piano
I Wonder as I Wander
violin duet
VOICE AND PIANO
The Good Morrow
Premiere: Boston, MA
Lullaby
Premiere: Karlsruhe, Germany
Songs of the Cynics
(Soprano and Mezzo-Soprano)
Premiere: Badische Staatskapelle, Karlsruhe, Germany
Aldington Songs
Premiere: ProArte, Bad Königsburg, Germany
Wine From These Grapes
Premiere: Boston, MA
Appalachian Advent
Premiere: Geneva, NY
Wayfaring Stranger
Premiere: Shaoguan, China
COMPUTER MUSIC
Setting a Diamond (Homage to Hildegard von Bingen)
Premiere: Greensboro, NC
The Succubus, an electronic tone poem
Premiere: FICEA, Minneapolis, MN
Bells, Bells, Bells (audio installation)
Premiere: Sonic CircuitsII, Minneapolis, MN
Harnessing the Wind (real-time dance installation)
Premiere: Modern Repertoire Dance Theater, Norman, OK
SACRED MUSIC
Easter Toccata
Organ toccata (Christ the Lord is Risen Today)
Premiere: Saarbrücken, Germany
Fantasy on “Veni, veni, Emmanuel”
Organ fantasy
Premiere: Karlsruhe, Germany
Sing to the Lord
Choir (piano accompaniment)
Premiere: St. Anne’s Choir, New Orleans, LA
Jerusalem Psalms
A cappella choir (SATB)
Premiere: Durham, NC
Prayer of St. Francis
A cappella choir (SATB)
Premiere: St. Anne’s Choir, New Orleans, LA
Psalm 90
A cappella choir (SATB)
Premiere: Karlsruhe University Chorus, Waghäusel, Germany
Gaelic Blessings
A cappella choir (SATB)
Premiere: St. Paul, MN
Easter Celebration
SATB choir, soloists (SATB), woodwinds, handbells and organ
Premiere: St. Andrew’s Church, Greensboro, NC
Stabat Mater
Organ, chorus, mezzo and bass soloists
Premiere: Holy Trinity Church, Greensboro, NC
I Will Light Candles This Christmas
SATB choir
ARRANGEMENTS
C. Debussy: Three Preludes
Concert Wind Ensemble
Premiere: Greensboro, NC
C. Debussy: Chansons di Bilitis
Sop (Mez)/Fl/Hn/Hp/Vn/Va/Vc
Premiere: Ensemble Surprise, Durlach, Germany
A. Dvorzk: Ziguenerlieder
Sop (Mez)/Fl/Cl/Bn/Hn/Vn/Va/Vc/Cb
Premiere: Greensboro, NC
J. Brahms: Ausgewählte Lieder
Sop (Mez)/Cl/Hn/Vn/Va/Vc/Cb
Premiere: Ensemble Surprise, Karlsruhe, Germany
E. Grieg: Sex Digte af Henrik Ibsen
Sop (Mez)/Ob (E.H.)/Cl (Bcl)/Hn/2Vn/Va/Vc/Cb
Premiere: Ensemble Surprise, Karlsruhe, Germany
A. Soler: Fandango
Fl/Cl/Hn/Harpsichord./Vn/Va/Vc
Premiere: Ensemble Surprise, Magdeburg, Germany
M. de Falla: Seven Spanish Folk Songs
Sop (Mez)/Fl/Hn/Hp/Vn/Va/Vc
Premiere: Ensemble Surprise, Karlsruhe, Germany
R. Gliere: Four Pieces for Contrabass
Contrabass soloist, Fl/Hn/Hp/Vn/Va/Vc
Premiere: Ensemble Surprise, Ulm, Germany
G. Gershwin: Summertime
Sop (Mez)/Fl/A Sx/Hn/2Vn/Va/Vc/Cb
Premiere: Ensemble Surprise, Karlsruhe, Germany
V. Bellini: excerpts from “Norma”
Sop/Mez /Fl/Cl/Hn/2Vn/Va/Vc/Cb
Premiere: Greensboro, NC
Verdi, Gounod, Bellini, etc.: Arias, duets etc.
Sop/Mez/Ten/Bass/Fl/Ob/2 Cl/Bn/2 Hn/Hp/Str
Premiere: Robert-Carl-Helg Ensemble, Basel, Switzerland
R. Rogers: My Favorite Things (1999)
Sop (Mez)/Fl/A Sx/Hn/2Vn/Va/Vc/Cb
Premiere: Ensemble Surprise, Karlsruhe, Germany
Trad: Entre le boeuf (2020)
Sop, Mez. Bar /2Vn/Va/Vc
Premiere: À la carte, Greensboro, NC
Trad: Poor Little Jesus (2020)
2 Sop, Mez. Bar /2Vn/Va/Vc/Cb
Premiere: À la carte, Greensboro, NC
Vars.: Les Surprises pour chez nous
Premiere: Ensemble Surprise, Karlsruhe, Germany
First Prize, International Witold Lutoslawski Composition Competition
First Prize, ASCAP/Rudolf Nissim Prize
First Prize, Malta International Composition Competition
Grand Prize, International Trumpet Guild
First Prize, Awea Duo Composition Contest
Second Prize, Composició Musical Cuitat de Tarragona
Segnalazione, Citta di Trieste Composition Competition
Kayaking
Mountain Biking
Cooking
Writing poetry
Yale University School of Music (D.M.A., M.M.A.)
Eastman School of Music (M.M.)
Universität für Musik, Vienna, Austria (Fulbright grant)
University of Minnesota (B.M.)