Selected Pulitzer Prize-Winning Composers' Changing Views on Composing for Wind Band

Abstract

The purpose of this document is to identify factors influencing selected Pulitzer Prize-winning composers in choosing to compose or not for wind band. By interviewing Steven Stucky, Paul Moravec, David Lang, and John Corigliano, the study presents strategies for conductors to engage major award-winning composers to write more works for the wind band genre. Guided by the thoughts of the four Pulitzer Prize-winning conductors, this study suggests how conductors can more effectively attract composers to write for wind bands through forming relationships, better educating them on idiomatic band writing and history, and cultivating new and different audiences.