Stephen Jaffe
Mary D. B. T. and James H. Semans Distinguished Professor of Music Composition
My recent collaborations have been with the National Symphony Orchestra, The North Carolina Symphony, and the Kennedy Center Chamber Players, and have included orchestral works (Concerto for Cello and Orchestra,
Poetry of the Piedmont,
and Cut Time
) as well as chamber music (String Quartet No. 2 ("Sylvan and Aeolian Figures
"). Fortunately, I am also able to pursue recording of my music, and to collaborate with other musicians on recording projects. This is ongoing, in particular with the third volume of recordings for Bridge, Inc. and recent release of Elation
on Albany in 2014, including Four Pieces Quasi Sonata
for viola and piano. These recordings have involved collaboration with my Duke colleagues, the 21st Century Consort (an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution), the North Carolina Symphony, and and the Odense Symphony Orchestra of Denmark. I see my life as a composer involving creation; collaboration, and advocacy for the art of music (including education, curation, and engagement with musical institutions).
To find out about any of my works, please consult the website Stephen Jaffe, Composer or related sites by Theodore Presser Company and Bridge Records . Most of the music is in print; for availability consult the Theodore Presser Company website.
To read about activities involving a form of teaching about which I am very devoted, please see the statement under Mentoring.
To find out about any of my works, please consult the website Stephen Jaffe, Composer or related sites by Theodore Presser Company and Bridge Records . Most of the music is in print; for availability consult the Theodore Presser Company website.
To read about activities involving a form of teaching about which I am very devoted, please see the statement under Mentoring.
Current Research Interests
My recent collaborations have been with the National Symphony Orchestra, The North Carolina Symphony, and the Kennedy Center Chamber Players, and have included orchestral works (Concerto for Cello and Orchestra,
Poetry of the Piedmont,
and Cut Time
) as well as chamber music (String Quartet No. 2 ("Sylvan and Aeolian Figures
"). Fortunately, I am also able to pursue recording of my music, and to collaborate with other musicians on recording projects. This is ongoing, in particular with the third volume of recordings for Bridge, Inc. and recent release of Elation
on Albany in 2014, including Four Pieces Quasi Sonata
for viola and piano. These recordings have involved collaboration with my Duke colleagues, the 21st Century Consort (an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution), the North Carolina Symphony, and and the Odense Symphony Orchestra of Denmark. I see my life as a composer involving creation; collaboration, and advocacy for the art of music (including education, curation, and engagement with musical institutions).
To find out about any of my works, please consult the website Stephen Jaffe, Composer or related sites by Theodore Presser Company and Bridge Records . Most of the music is in print; for availability consult the Theodore Presser Company website.
To read about activities involving a form of teaching about which I am very devoted, please see the statement under Mentoring.
To find out about any of my works, please consult the website Stephen Jaffe, Composer or related sites by Theodore Presser Company and Bridge Records . Most of the music is in print; for availability consult the Theodore Presser Company website.
To read about activities involving a form of teaching about which I am very devoted, please see the statement under Mentoring.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
- Mary D. B. T. and James H. Semans Distinguished Professor of Music Composition, Music, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 1999
- Professor of Music, Music, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 1999
Contact Information
- 079 Mary Duke Biddle, Durham, NC 27708
- Box 90665, Durham, NC 27708-0665
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sjaffe@duke.edu
(919) 660-3317
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Apple Music, Stephen Jaffe
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Stephen Jaffe, Bridge Records Catalogue
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Stephen Jaffe, Composer (my web page)
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Stephen Jaffe, Theodore Presser Company
- Background
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Education, Training, & Certifications
- M.A., University of Pennsylvania 1978
- B.A., University of Pennsylvania 1977
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Previous Appointments & Affiliations
- Director of Graduate Studies of Music, Music, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 2020 - 2022
- Interim Chair of Music, Music, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 2017
- Chairman, Department of Music, Music, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 2007 - 2009
- Acting Chair, Department of Music, Music, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 2002
- Associate Professor with Tenure, Music, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 1988 - 1999
- Chair, Music, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 1994 - 1996
- Chair, Music, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 1993
- Assistant Professor, Music, Trinity College of Arts & Sciences 1981 - 1988
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Academic Positions Outside Duke
- Lecturer, Swarthmore College. 1986 - 1987
- Instructor, Swarthmore College. 1979 - 1980
- Part-time Associate, Moravian College. 1978 - 1979
- Recognition
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In the News
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JUL 16, 2021 Various -
JUL 11, 2021 Various -
SEP 15, 2017 -
SEP 9, 2015 -
APR 30, 2015 -
OCT 29, 2013
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Awards & Honors
- Hilda Honigman Cup, Sonata (in four parts) for cello and piano. North Carolina Music Teachers Association. October 2013
- American Academy of Arts & Letters, Elected to Membership. American Academy of Arts & Letters. May 2012
- Artist Fellowship. Bogliasco Foundation (Centro di Studi Ligure). December 2010
- Composer in Residence. Composers Conference at Wellesley College. August 2008
- Koussevitsky International Recording Award (KIRA), Concerto for Violin and Orchestra (Bridge 9141). Musician's Club of New York. 2006
- Composer of the Year, 2005. Classical Recording Foundation. 2005
- Eliza Gardner Howard Foundation Fellowship. Brown University. 1996
- Arts and Letters Awards. American Academy of Arts and Letters. 1993
- Lifetime Achievement Prize. American Academy Institute of Arts & Letters. 1993
- Kennedy Center Friedheim Award, First Quartet. Kennedy Center. 1991
- Creative Arts Citation. Brandeis University. 1989
- Artist Fellowship. North Carolina Arts Council. 1988
- Fellowship. John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. 1984
- Composer/Librettist Fellowship Grant. National Endowment for the Arts. 1980
- Rome Prize Fellowship. American Academy in Rome. 1980
- Tanglewood Music Center Fellow. Boston Symphony, Tanglewood Music Center. 1979
- Teaching Fellowship. University of Pennsylvania. 1977
- Joseph H. Bearns Prize, for Four Nocturnes. Columbia University. 1976
- Expertise
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Subject Headings
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Global Scholarship
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Teaching
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- Research
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External Relationships
- 21st Century Consort of Washington, DC
- I received a commission for music written for the Musical Fund Society of Philadelphia' bicentennial.
- Musical Fund Society of Philadelphia
- Theodore Presser Co./Merion Music, Inc.
- Publications & Artistic Works
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Selected Publications
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Academic Articles
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Rhodes, Terry, and Ellen Williams. “New Music, Tailor Made: Fort Juniper Songs of Stephen Jaffe.” Nats Journal (National Association of Teachers of Singing) Vol. 50, (January 1994).
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Jaffe, S. “Conversation Between J.S. and S.J. On The New Tonality.” Edited by Nigel Osborne. Contemporary Music Review 6 (1992): 27–38.
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Exhibitions, Screenings, & Performances
- String Quartet No. 2 ("Aeolian and Sylvan Figures") | Borromeo Quartet at Occidental Center for the Arts, Occidental, CA 2012
- String Quartet No. 2 ("Aeolian and Sylvan Figures") | Borromeo Quartet at Sunset Concerts, Los Gatos, CA 2012
- String Quartet No. 2 ("Aeolian and Sylvan Figures") | Borromeo Quartet at St. Stephens 2012
- String Quartet No. 2 ("Aeolian and Sylvan Figures") | Borromeo Quartet at Duke University 2012
- String Quartet No. 2 ("Aeolian and Sylvan Figures") | Borromeo Quartet at Tufts University 2012
- Cameo | at Merkin Hall NY 2011
- Offering | Syzygy Concert at Rice University 2009
- Offering | Monadnock Music Festival 2009
- Ballade: Quartet from Arch | at Walden School, Dublin New Hampshire 2009
- SONATA (in Four Parts) for cello and piano | at Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center 2008
- Cithara mea (Evocations): Spanish Music Notebook for Orchestra | Unnamed event 2008
- String Quartet No. 2 ("Aeolian and Sylvan Figures") | Ciompi Quartet at Page Auditorium 2007
- Concerto for Cello and Orchestra | Peabody Symphony Orchestra at Peabody Inst. of Music 2007
- Concerto for Cello and Orchestra | Slovenska filharmonjia 2007
- Poetry of the Piedmont (Poesis Piementosa) | Unnamed event 2007
- A Nonesuch Serenade | Da Capo Chamber Players at Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall, NY 2006
- Three Figures & A Ground for flute and piano | at St Mary's College of Maryland 2006
- Homage to the Breath: Instrumental and Vocal Meditations for Mezzo soprano and Ten Instruments, | at Fulcrum Point, Chicago 2006
- String Quartet No. 2 ("Aeolian and Sylvan Figures") | Miami Quartet at Philadelphia Chamber Music Society and other venues 2006
- Cut-Time Shout | Quattro Mani at Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall, NY and other venues 2006
- Cut-Time Shout | Hirschorn's Hiroshi Sugimoto Exhibit at Hirschorn Museum, Washington, DC 2005
- Con Sordino for violin and piano | Performances as pianist or conductor at Weill Recitial Hall, Carnegie Hall 2005
- Three Figures & A Ground for flute and piano | at School of Music, University of North Carolina, Greensboro 2005
- Homage to the Breath: Instrumental and Vocal Meditations for Mezzo soprano and Ten Instruments, | Twentieth Century Consort at Hirschorn Museum, Washington, DC 2005
- Three Figures & A Ground for flute and piano | ISCM, New York Section 2005
- Offering | at Cincinnatti Conservatory of Music 2005
- Offering | at East Carolina University School of Music 2005
- Offering | "Harmonies for Habitat at Beth El Synagogue 2005
- CUT TIME for Orchestra | National Symphony American Residencies Tour at Fayetteville, Greenville, Raleigh, Greensboro, Boone, Spindale, NC 2005
- Concerto for Cello and Orchestra | Unnamed event 2004
- Designs, for flute, guitar and percussion | New Music Festival at East Carolina University 2003
- Offering | Auréole Trio at St. Louis. 1997
- Offering | Mallarmé Chamber Players at Durham 1997
- Offering | Unnamed event 1996
- Songs of Turning | Oregon Bach Festival at Eugene, Oregon 1996
- Double Sonata for two pianos | Walter W. Naumburg Foundation Winners at Alice Tully Hall 1989
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Artistic Works & Non-Print Media
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Audio Recordings
- Light Dances (Chamber Concerto No. 2) Bridge Records Digital only. Composer. 2019
- Elation. Composer. 2014
- String Quartet No. 2 ("Aeolian and Sylvan Figures"). Composer. 2012
- Guitar in USA. Composer. 2008
- Quattro Mani: Kindred Spirits. Composer. 2008
- The Music of Stephen Jaffe Volume III. Concerto for Cello and Orchestra, Poetry of the Piedmont, Homage to the Breath, and Cut Time. Composer. 2008
- Designs and Three Figures and A Ground. Composer. 2006
- The Music of Stephen Jaffe, Volume 2. Composer. 2004
- Newdance: 18 Dances for Guitar Bridge 9084. Composer. 1998
- Strange Attractors. Composer. 1997
- To Sun, To Feast & To Converse Albany CD. Composer, Performing artist. 1995
- The Music of Stephen Jaffe, Volume I. Composer. 1994
- The Now and Present Flute. Composer. 1994
- American Music for String Quartet. Composer. 1993
- Greenbaum, Hyla, Barkin & Jaffe: Chamber Works. Composer. 1983
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Mixed Media
- The Composer As Artist in the Public Arena: Working with Text as Sound, Narrative, and Musical Potential. Composer, Musician. Musical Composition, Musical Performance. 2012
- By the Grace of Others. Composer. Choreography, Dance Production. 2007
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Musical Compositions
- Washington Trio (aka "Trio") for Clarinet, Viola, and Piano. Composer. 2020
- A Symphony of Spiral and Light (Parades) for Orchestral Winds, Brass & Percussion. Composer. 2019
- Three Arcs (Chamber Concerto No. 5) for Chamber Ensemble with Optional Cameo Chorus. Composer. 2019
- A Forest Unfolding. Composer. 2018
- HIP Concerto (Chamber Concerto No. 3). Composer, Conductor. 2014
- String Quartet No. 3 ("A Tapestry"). Composer. 2014
- DESIGNS II. Composer. 2012
- STILL LIFE WITH BLUE (for Orchestra) aka: SOUTHERN LIGHTS. Composer. 2012
- Summer Voices. Composer. 2012
- Cameo. Composer. 2011
- LIGHT DANCES (Chamber Concerto No. 2). Composer. 2009
- Light Dances (Chamber Concerto No. 2). Composer. 2009
- Who Cooks for You?. Composer. 2009
- Cithara mea (Evocations): Spanish Music Notebook for Orchestra. Composer. 2008
- LIGHT DANCES. Composer. 2008
- SONATA (in Four Parts) for cello and piano. Composer. 2008
- Four Pieces Quasi Sonata for Viola and Piano. Composer. 2006
- Poetry of the Piedmont (Poesis Piementosa). Composer. 2006
- String Quartet No. 2 ("Aeolian and Sylvan Figures"). Composer. 2006
- CUT TIME for Orchestra. Composer. 2005
- Con Sordino for violin and piano. Composer. 2005
- Concerto for Cello and Orchestra. Composer. 2004
- Cut-Time Shout. Composer. 2004
- Designs, for flute, guitar and percussion. Composer. 2001
- Homage to the Breath: Instrumental and Vocal Meditations for Mezzo soprano and Ten Instruments,. Composer. 2001
- Concerto for Violin and Orchestra. Composer. 1999
- Spinoff. Composer. 1997
- Offering. Composer. 1996
- Songs of Turning. Composer. 1995
- Chamber Concerto ("Singing Figures"). Composer. 1994
- Triptych for piano and woodwind quintet. Composer. 1992
- First Quartet. Composer. 1990
- Fort Juniper Songs; Seven Poems of Robert Francis for soprano, mezzo-soprano and piano. Composer. 1989
- Double Sonata for two pianos. Composer. 1988
- Four Songs With Ensemble. Composer. 1988
- The Rhythm of the Running Plough. Composer. 1987
- Three Yiddish Songs (Chamber Version). Composer. 1987
- Impromptu for piano. Composer. 1986
- Autumnal for Orchestra. Composer. 1985
- The Rhythm of the Running Plough. Composer. 1985
- Three Figures & A Ground for flute and piano. Composer. 1985
- A Nonesuch Serenade. Composer. 1982
- Arch for large chamber ensemble. Composer. 1981
- Ballade: Quartet from Arch. Composer. 1981
- Partita for cello, piano and percussion. Composer. 1980
- Three Images for Chorus and Instruments. Composer. 1979
- Centering. Composer. 1978
- Un Dialogo Possibile. Composer. 1976
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Musical Performances
- Figure-Ground. Composer. 2015
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- Teaching & Mentoring
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Recent Courses
- MUSIC 162S: Introduction to Composition: Explorations in Musical Time and Space 2023
- MUSIC 481T: Advanced Composition 2023
- MUSIC 281T: Composition I 2022
- MUSIC 381T: Composition II 2022
- MUSIC 481T: Advanced Composition 2022
- MUSIC 690S-1: Composition Seminar: Selected Topics 2022
- MUSIC 697: Composition 2022
- ENGLISH 590S-3: Special Topics Seminar III 2021
- MUSIC 281T: Composition I 2021
- MUSIC 381T: Composition II 2021
- MUSIC 481T: Advanced Composition 2021
- MUSIC 690S-1: Composition Seminar: Selected Topics 2021
- MUSIC 697: Composition 2021
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Advising & Mentoring
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My current Ph.D. Advisees include Vladimir Smirnov
and Jamie Keesecker
.
With my colleagues at Duke, mentoring has meant creating a vibrant community for the performance of contemporary music, and finding opportunities for students and audiences to explore. Undergraduate and graduate students discover a great deal of opportunity to try out new ideas and interests, not only in the studio, but in sounding form: together with Duke Performances, our students have the opportunity during 2015-16 to work repeatedly with resident ensembles Deviant Septet , violinist Jennifer Koh, the North Carolina Symphony Orchestra, and others. Recent groups we have hosted for this purpose include yMusic (2012-14), Da Capo Chamber Players, Wet Ink, and the Hilliard Ensemble. Previous to these kinds of residencies, my colleagues and I ran a regular series of concerts under the rubric Encounters: With the Music of Our Time (which still exists, but which has metamorphosed into new form).
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My current Ph.D. Advisees include Vladimir Smirnov
and Jamie Keesecker
.
- Scholarly, Clinical, & Service Activities
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Presentations & Appearances
- Seminar on Mario Davidovsky's "Synchronisms" . Yellow Barn Chamber Music Festival. Yellow Barn. July 2020 2020
- Guest Composer. University of Maryland School of Music. 2020 2020
- Guest Composer Seminar. University of South Carolina School of Music. University of South Carolina School of Music. 2019 2019
- Guest Composer, Summer 2019. Vermont College of the Fine Arts. 2019 2019
- Maurice Abravanel Distinguished Composer. Abravanel Distinguished Composer Series. University of Utah. November 2015 2015
- Conductor, HIP Concerto (Chamber Concerto No. 3). North Carolina HIP Festival. Mallarme Chamber Players. 2014 2014
- Panelist. Take A Stand Conference, Duke University. Supporting Social Change Through Music Regional Professional Development Session. National initiative between the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Longy School of Music, and Bard College whose goal is social change through music.. December 15, 2013 2013
- On My Compositions. Lithuanian Composers Union, Vilnius. May 12, 2013 2013
- Reflections On New Media, The Orchestra, and the Documentary Impulse. Kaunus University of Technology, Lithuania. May 10, 2013 2013
- Composer in Residence. Rice University School of Music. December 16, 2011 2011
- Composer in Residence. Walden School. December 16, 2011 2011
- Guest Composer. Furman University. December 16, 2011 2011
- Guest Composer. New Music Festival. Bowling Green State University. December 16, 2011 2011
- Participant. National Flute Association Convention. August 14, 2011 2011
- Composers Conference, Guest Composer. January 17, 2008 2008
- Featured Composer. Lontano Festival of Contemporary Music. Lontano, London. 2008 2008
- Guest Composer. Academy of Music, Ljubljana. 2007 2007
- Guest of the Festival. Tanglewood Music Center, Festival of Contemporary Music. Boston Symphony Orchestra. 2006 2006
- Guest Composer. Composer's Forum. Juilliard School of Music. 2005 2005
- Guest Conductor, St. Luke's Chamber Ensemble Stephen Jaffe Chamber Concerto ("Singing Figures"). Orchestra of St. Luke's. 1996 1996
- Guest Composer, Conductor and Pianist. Music Now! Prague. Music Now! Prague. 1995 1995
- Guest Conductor, Stephen Jaffe Four Songs with Ensemble. Spectrum Concerts. Spectrum Concerts, Berlin. 1993 1993
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Outreach & Engaged Scholarship
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Service to the Profession
- Member, Awards Panel. BMI Awards for Student Composers. Broadcast Music, Inc.. April 2019 2019
- Evaluator for US and International Music Departments and Foundations. Various. 2015 2015
- Member, Awards Panel. Music Awards. American Academy of Arts & Letters. 2015 - 2019 2015 - 2019
- Member : External Review Committee, Haverford College. December 15, 2013 2013
- Member of the Jury : Juventus 2013 International Choral Competition. May 2013 2013
- Member : Final Judging Panel, RedNote Composition Competition, School of Music, Illinois State University. November 2012 - December 2012 2012
- Member : External Review, Department of Music, Brown University. October 2012 2012
- Member : External Review, Department of Music, Boston College. April 30, 2012 - May 3, 2012 2012
- Member : External Advisory Committee, Bogliasco Foundation. 2012 2012
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Service to Duke
- Duke University Department of Music. Director of Graduate Studies. 2020 2020
- Office of the Provost. Academic Priorities Committee. 2012 - 2015 2012 - 2015
- Supervisor. Provost's Postdoctoral Fellowship. December 16, 2011 2011
- Chair, Department of Music. Duke University. 2007 - 2010 2007 - 2010
- Acting Chair, Department of Music. Duke. Duke University. January 2002 - July 2002 2002
- Chair, Department of Music. Duke University. 1993 - 1996 1993 - 1996
- Duke University Department of Music. Graduate Studies, Director (DGS). 1990 - 1993 1990 - 1993
- Artistic and Administrative Direction. Encounters: With the Music of Our Time and Mary Duke Biddle Distinguished Composer Residency. Duke University Department of Music. 1981 - 2010 1981 - 2010
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Academic & Administrative Activities
- Director of Graduate Studies, Duke University Department of Music, 2020-
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