James Montgomery (composer)
Encyclopedia
James Louis Montgomery is a Canadian
music composer
, performer, and arts administrator. He is the current artistic director of the Music Gallery, a position that he has held for more than 20 years. He is also a founding member of the Canadian Electronic Ensemble
with whom he still actively performs and records. As a composer he is known for incorporating electronic technology into his works.
degree in 1966 from Baldwin–Wallace Conservatory of Music. He pursued further studies at Northwestern University
with John Weinzweig
and at the University of Toronto
(UT) with Gustav Ciamaga
. From the UT he earned a Master of Music
degree in 1972. Since 1990 he has taught on the Faculty of Education at the UT as a professor of electronic media.
In 1971 Montgomery co-founded the Canadian Electronic Ensemble
(CEE) with David Jaeger, David Grimes
, and Larry Lake
. He has actively performed and recorded with the CEE since then, and served as the group's managing director from 1976-1983. The CEE is currently the oldest continuously active live-electronic performing group in the world. In 1984 they performed at the International Society for Contemporary Music
's World Music Days Festival. In 1986 the CEE joined the Toronto Symphony Orchestra
to perform the world premiere of Steven Gellman
's Universe Symphony. The ensemble has appeared in concerts with the Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal, the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra
, and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
. Since 1974 the CEE has presented an annual concert series in Toronto. They have given regular international tours since 1975.
In 1984 Montgomery became the administrative director of New Music Concerts. He remained in that position until 1987 when he was appointed artistic director of the Music Gallery.
In 1988 Montgomery created the musical score for the educational short film Sorting Out Sorting.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
music composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, performer, and arts administrator. He is the current artistic director of the Music Gallery, a position that he has held for more than 20 years. He is also a founding member of the Canadian Electronic Ensemble
Canadian Electronic Ensemble
The Canadian Electronic Ensemble is a Canadian electronic music ensemble based in Toronto, Ontario. Founded in 1971 by David Grimes, David Jaeger, Larry Lake and James Montgomery, it is the oldest continuously active live-electronic performing group in the world. In 1984 they performed at the...
with whom he still actively performs and records. As a composer he is known for incorporating electronic technology into his works.
Life and career
Born in Ravenna, Ontario, Montgomery earned a Bachelor of MusicBachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music is an academic degree awarded by a college, university, or conservatory upon completion of program of study in music. In the United States, it is a professional degree; the majority of work consists of prescribed music courses and study in applied music, usually requiring a...
degree in 1966 from Baldwin–Wallace Conservatory of Music. He pursued further studies at Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
with John Weinzweig
John Weinzweig
John Weinzweig, OC, O.Ont was a Canadian composer of classical music.Born in Toronto, Weinzweig went to Harbord Collegiate Institute, and studied music at the university. In 1937, he left for the United States to study under Bernard Rogers...
and at the University of Toronto
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is a public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated on the grounds that surround Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 as King's College, the first institution of higher learning in Upper Canada...
(UT) with Gustav Ciamaga
Gustav Ciamaga
Gustav Ciamaga was a Canadian composer, music educator, and writer. An associate of the Canadian Music Centre and a member of the Canadian League of Composers, he was best known for his compositions of electronic music, although he produced several non-electronic works. His compositions have been...
. From the UT he earned a Master of Music
Master of Music
The Master of Music is the first graduate degree in Music awarded by universities and music conservatories. The M.Mus. combines advanced studies in an applied area of specialization with graduate-level academic study in subjects such as music history, music theory, or music pedagogy...
degree in 1972. Since 1990 he has taught on the Faculty of Education at the UT as a professor of electronic media.
In 1971 Montgomery co-founded the Canadian Electronic Ensemble
Canadian Electronic Ensemble
The Canadian Electronic Ensemble is a Canadian electronic music ensemble based in Toronto, Ontario. Founded in 1971 by David Grimes, David Jaeger, Larry Lake and James Montgomery, it is the oldest continuously active live-electronic performing group in the world. In 1984 they performed at the...
(CEE) with David Jaeger, David Grimes
David Grimes (composer)
David Grimes is an American composer. In 1970 he graduated from the Berklee College of Music with a Bachelor of Music degree. He then entered the University of Toronto where he earned a Master of Music in 1972. In 1971, he co-founded the Canadian Electronic Ensemble with David Jaeger, James...
, and Larry Lake
Larry Lake (musician)
Larry Ellsworth Lake is a Canadian composer, trumpeter, freelance writer on music, radio broadcaster, and record producer of American birth. As a composer he is primarily known for his electronic music. His musical compositions are characterized by their integration of acoustic instruments with...
. He has actively performed and recorded with the CEE since then, and served as the group's managing director from 1976-1983. The CEE is currently the oldest continuously active live-electronic performing group in the world. In 1984 they performed at the International Society for Contemporary Music
International Society for Contemporary Music
The International Society for Contemporary Music is a music organization that promotes contemporary classical music.ISCM was established in 1922, in Salzburg. Its core activity is the World Music Days Festival, held every year at a different location. The festival includes cutting edge productions...
's World Music Days Festival. In 1986 the CEE joined the Toronto Symphony Orchestra
Toronto Symphony Orchestra
The Toronto Symphony Orchestra is a Canadian orchestra based in Toronto, Ontario.-History:The TSO was founded in 1922 as the New Symphony Orchestra, and gave its first concert at Massey Hall in April 1923. The orchestra changed its name to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra in 1927. The TSO...
to perform the world premiere of Steven Gellman
Steven Gellman
Steven Gellman is a Canadian composer and pianist. He has been commissioned to write works for the Besançon International Music Festival, the CBC Symphony Orchestra, the Hamilton Philharmonic, McGill University, Musica Camerata, the National Arts Centre Orchestra, the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra,...
's Universe Symphony. The ensemble has appeared in concerts with the Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal, the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra
Ottawa Symphony Orchestra
The Ottawa Symphony Orchestra is a full size orchestra in Ottawa including professional, student and amateur musicians. With around 100 musicians, the OSO is Ottawa's largest orchestra, which allows it to perform large symphonic repertoire of the 19th and 20th centuries, including works by...
, and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is a Canadian orchestra performing in Vancouver, British Columbia. Over 240,000 people attend its live performances each year. It was founded in 1930 and plays in 12 venues. Its home is the Orpheum theatre. With an annual operating budget of $9.5 million, it is the...
. Since 1974 the CEE has presented an annual concert series in Toronto. They have given regular international tours since 1975.
In 1984 Montgomery became the administrative director of New Music Concerts. He remained in that position until 1987 when he was appointed artistic director of the Music Gallery.
In 1988 Montgomery created the musical score for the educational short film Sorting Out Sorting.