Koshinski, Gene
Biography
Born: 1980
Country: U.S.A.
Studies: West Chester University (BM) and The Hartt School (MM and DMA)
Teachers:
Website: http://www.genekoshinski.com/
Percussion artist, composer, and educator Dr. Gene Koshinski (b. 1980) has delighted audiences worldwide with his dynamic performances and creative programming. Koshinski serves as Associate Professor of Percussion at the University of Minnesota Duluth and is well known for his extraordinary versatility as a solo, chamber, symphonic, jazz, pop, and world music artist. He has performed in Argentina, Austria, Belgium, China, France, Germany, Japan, Jordan, Slovenia, Canada, and throughout the United States. Most recently, Koshinski was invited to perform at the 2014 International Patagonia Percussion Festival in General Roca, Argentina.
In 2002, Koshinski won the National MTNA Percussion Competition in Cincinnati, OH and in 2004, finished 3rd in the prestigious Universal Marimba Duo Competition in Sint-Truiden, Belgium. As a composer, Koshinski was named the recipient of the 2012 ASCAP Foundation Nissim Prize for best new score for large ensemble for his work Concerto for Marimba and Choir.
Throughout his career, Koshinski has worked with many notable performing organizations and artists including NFL Films, Late Show with David Letterman, Mary Wilson (the Supremes), David Samuels, Wycliffe Gordon, Tom Harrell, Bob Sheppard, Denis Diblasio, Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Philadelphia Boys Choir, The Lettermen, Hartford Symphony, Minnesota Ballet, Percussive Arts Society International Convention (6 appearances), and is currently principal percussionist for the Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra and a member of Nebojsa Zivkovic’s Jovan Perkussion Projekt. For his work with NFL Films, he can be heard on the Emmy award-winning soundtrack A Century of NFL. Performances have also been heard on the CBS, PBS, and ESPN television networks as well as NPR. In addition, he has recorded for the Naxos, Innova, Centaur, MSR Classics, and Equilibrium record labels.
Koshinski is a founding member of the Quey Percussion Duo, a touring group established to generate new works for percussion while also bringing standard repertoire to a broad audience. He also serves as Director of Percussion at the annual 6-week Performing Arts Institute International Summer Music Festival in Kingston, PA. He recently published a method book entitled "TWO" - a comprehensive guide to two-mallet technique and performance practice, including 10 original compositions and CD recording. As an advocate for new music, Koshinski has commissioned and premiered works by renowned composers including Pulitzer Prize winning composer John Luther Adams, Stuart Saunders Smith, Alejandro Viñao, David Macbride, and Dave Hollinden.
Koshinski holds degrees from West Chester University (BM) and The Hartt School (MM and DMA). His method books, solo albums, and over 20 published compositions are distributed internationally, with many of his compositions receiving frequent global performances. Gene Koshinski is an active member of the Percussive Arts Society and is sponsored by Pearl/Adams Instruments, Sabian Cymbals, Remo, and Innovative Percussion and his works are published by Bachovich, Tapspace, HoneyRock, and C. Alan Publications.[1]
Works for Percussion
Afternoon in March - Marimba
And So the Wind Blew... - Percussion Duo
As One - Percussion Duo
BeyonD the bEnd - Multiple Percussion, Percussion Quintet
Caleidoscópio - Marimba
Capriccio for Viola Solo - Henri Vieuxtemps - Marimba
Ceci N'est Pas Un Jouet - Percussion Duo
Circuit Breaker - Percussion Sextet
Concerto for Marimba and Choir with Percussion - Marimba; Percussion Trio; Choir
Echo Song - Multiple Percussion; Percussion Duo (Soloist and Echo)
Get It! - Multiple Percussion; Bassoon
Homage to Carter - Snare Drum
Impressions of Chinese Opera - Percussion Duo
Prelude Nuevo - Marimba
Quench - Percussion Quartet
Ragtime Collection - Marimba Quartet
Rattle the Cage - Mallet Ensemble
Sammy's Scales - Percussion Duo
Sky Songs - Multiple Percussion; Voice
Song and Dance - Percussion Duo
soniChroma - Percussion Duo; Orchestra
Stir Crazy - Percussion Quartet
Streamline - Percussion Ensemble - (Hand Drums)
The Electric City - Percussion Trio
Together & Not - Percussion Duo - Marimba Duo
Two - A Collection of 10 Concert Pieces for Two-Mallet Marimba Solo - Marimba
Variations (after Viñao) - Marimba
References