Hekster, Walter

Walter Hekster

Biography

Born: March 29, 1937

Country: Netherlands

Studies: Amsterdam Academy of Music in 1961; Yale University (M.M. 1966

Teachers: Ton de Leeuw; Mel Powell; Roger Sessions

Website: http://www.walterhekster.com

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Walter Hekster (born 29 March 1937 in Amsterdam) is a Dutch composer, clarinetist and conductor of classical music, specializing in contemporary classical music.

Studying composition with Ton de Leeuw and clarinet with Bram de Wilde, he graduated from the Amsterdam Academy of Music in 1961. Upon his graduation he studied clarinet with Keith Wilson and composition with Mel Powell at Yale University, where he received a Master of Music in 1963. In 1966 he studied with Roger Sessions in Tanglewood.

In the meantime he performed as a clarinetist in the Netherlands Wind Ensemble and the Connecticut Symphony Orchestra.

In 1965 he accepted an appointment for professor of clarinet and composition at Brandon University in Manitoba, which he held until 1971. There he started conducting the Brandon Chamber Orchestra.

In 1971 he studied sonology at the University of Utrecht. He then taught at the music conservatories of Enschede, Arnhem, and Groningen until 1990. With the Rosetti Woodwind Quintet, Quartetto di Fiati, Ensemble '80, and the Circle Ensemble, he performed throughout Europe and the United States.

Walter Hekster is an extremely productive composer, creating music for a wide range of orchestra and chamber music settings. The Dutch not-for-profit publishing house Donemus published 134 of his works.

Hekster has been married since 1962 to the US-born and Yale-educated bassoon player Alice Hekster-van Leuvan. The couple has two children, Ben Hekster and Suzy Hekster.

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Born March 29, 1937 in Amsterdam. Graduated from the Amsterdam Conservatory in 1961, majoring in clarinet and composition. Studied clarinet with Bram de Wilde and composition with Ton de Leeuw. Played in the Netherlands Wind Ensemble and substituted in the Concertgebouw Orchestra. Received a scholarship to Yale University in 1961, majoring in clarinet and composition. Studied clarinet with Keith Wilson and composition with Mel Powell. Graduated with a Master of Music degree in 1963. Played solo clarinet in the Connecticut Symphony Orchestra (1962-1965). Studied composition at Tanglewood with Roger Sessions in 1966. Taught at Brandon University in Manitoba, Canada. Was professor of clarinet and composition (1965-1971). Conducted the Brandon Chamber Orchestra and performed at CBC Radio. Taught at the Alberta Summer Festival. Played in the Banff Festival Orchestra. Took sabbatical leave to Holland in 1971 to study at the Institute for Sonology of the University of Utrecht. Taught at the Enschede, Arnhem, and Groningen Conservatories (1972-1990), teaching clarinet, composition, contemporary music, and ensembles. Founded the Rosetti Woodwind Quintet, played many live and radio concerts in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, and France. Toured in the USA five times. Played with thte Quartetto di Fiati, Ensemble '80, and the Circle Ensemble. Promoted contemporary music and toured in Poland, Hungary, Russia, and the Czech Republic. Composed works for many combinations. Received commissions from the Fund of the Amsterdam Arts and the Ministry of Culture. Published by Donemus.

Works for Percussion

Mountain Shadows - Multiple Percussion; Contra Bassoon
Music for a Summernight - Multiple Percussion; Clarinet
Nightscapes - Percussion Quartet
Setting VII - Multiple Percussion; Baritone Saxophone