Nathan Hall
“A try-anything aural dreamer with the skills and programming genius to mount ideas both intriguing and outrageous” – Westword
Hailed as a “seriously talented composer” by the Denver Post, Nathan Hall’s works have been deemed “fearless” in their multifaceted expressions of the composer’s personal and musical identity. Nathan uses music as an artistic medium to explore a variety of fields including science, nature, the fine arts, history, and sexuality. There is an emotional resonance present in all of Nathan’s works, from his traditional classical pieces for chamber ensembles to experimental electronic pieces, sound sculptures, and multimedia projects.
Nathan’s drive for making site-specific work is tied to his passions for travel and cultural exchange. Other works are inspired by the composer’s sexuality and experiences as a gay man, creating a special intimacy between performer, place, and audience.
Nathan Hall is a former Fulbright Fellow to Iceland, a McKnight Visiting Composer, and he holds his Doctorate in Musical Arts (DMA) from CU Boulder. He holds a BA from Vassar College and MM from Carnegie Mellon. His teachers include Nancy Galbraith, Richard Wilson, Reza Vali, Carter Pann, and John Drumheller. His works have been performed and exhibited in 13 countries and 21 US States by the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, the String Orchestra of Brooklyn, Tenth Intervention, GALA Choruses, Playground Ensemble, Decho Ensemble, The Gay/Lesbian Chorus of San Francisco, New Wave Singers, One Voice Mixed Chorus-MN, International Orange Chorale San Francisco, pianist Adam Tendler, a convention of roller coaster enthusiasts, and porn star Dirk Caber. Nathan has been awarded numerous grants including projects with FEMA, a New Music USA grant, and the Denver Music Advancement Fund. His residencies include Mattress Factory, Denver Art Museum’s inaugural Creative in Residence, and Acadia National Park. Nathan is current Adjunct faculty in Composition at the University of Denver and in Music Production at RMCAD. He is President of the Board of Playground Ensemble, and lives in Denver.