DAVID GAINES (b. 1961) has been hailed by a wide variety of critics and other artists for his imaginative orchestrations, the international flavor of his music, and his exploration of new sonorities through unique instrumental combinations while remaining rooted in traditional musical structures:

▸ “a captivating performance....a milestone in the canon of symphonic band literature” (Washington Post)

▸ “colorful percussion writing....Gaines demonstrates a keen affinity for orchestration. Woodwinds and brass are vividly exploited; percussion applied with as much subtlety as power.” (Baltimore Sun)

▸ “I cannot imagine a more powerful mix of words, images, and music....People who know nothing of Massoud or Afghanistan will be stunned by the sheer power of the composition, and people who are familiar with these topics will be reduced to tears....a tremendous piece of work.” (Sebastian Junger, author, “The Perfect Storm,” “A Death In Belmont,” “Fire”)

▸ “This is very attractive music....Without ever sounding like a pastiche of styles, Gaines' music succeeds in creating its own approachable style, with impressive lyricism....and a real sense of power and purpose” (Records International)

▸ “Wonderful compositions....” (Bay Area Chamber Symphony)

▸ “Thank you for writing such beautiful music for the voice.” (Mezzo-soprano Kimball Wheeler, former voice faculty member, California Institute of the Arts)

▸ “extraordinary talents....highly skilled handling of the large structure....a very talented composer” (Loudoun Symphony Orchestra conductor Mark McCoy)

▸ “....spiritually uplifting....” (Omaid Weekly)

▸ “....Gaines has contributed [a] major work which can hold its own against any other modern symphony....” (EsperantoUSA)

▸ “Great stuff!!” (composer David Amram)

David Gaines grew up in Stamford, Connecticut and was a euphonium and bass trombone player in both bands and orchestras (he was principal euphonium of the Connecticut All-State Band for two years), a background that enabled him in later years, as a composer, to champion solo opportunities for low brass instruments. His output includes two symphonies, two euphonium concertos, and a wide variety of chamber, choral, and electronic music. His principal compositions are available on compact discs and digital downloads from MMC Recordings and Verda Stelo Music and are published by Verda Stelo Music. Radio stations across the USA, as well as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and internet music streaming sites, have broadcast these recordings.

A graduate of Northwestern University, American University, and Johns Hopkins University's Peabody Conservatory of Music (where he earned a doctoral degree in composition), Dr. Gaines’ teachers included M. William Karlins, Stephen Syverud, Jerzy Sapieyevski, Jean Eichelberger Ivey, and Robert Sirota. He counts among his major influences Aaron Copland and Paul Hindemith, as well as idiosyncratic American stylists such as Alan Hovhaness, Lou Harrison, and Ellen Taaffe Zwilich.

Dr. Gaines’ numerous awards include annual ASCAP Standard Awards since 2000; first prize in the 1997 College Music Society
Mid Atlantic Chapter Student Composers Competition; and first prize in the song division of the World Esperanto Association's 1995 International Fine Arts Competition. An adjunct associate professor at University of Maryland University College, he was formerly on the faculty of New School University's online Master of Media Technology degree program, for which he created the first Internet college-level music course for credit (on the history of electronic music technology). Dr. Gaines is also the co-host of Common Tone, an internet podcast that blends irreverent humor with discussion of contemporary classical music, and donates time to answer questions about composition and music theory at AllExperts.com.

David Gaines is particularly known around the world as a champion of the international language Esperanto. The "Society and Esperanto" Foundation of Bulgaria named him an Honorary Life Member in 1994, and in 2006 the international organization Muzika Esperanto-Ligo awarded him the title of Honorary President. Esperanto magazine, published in The Netherlands, commissioned him to write their obituary for the distinguished composer Lou Harrison after his passing in 2003 (Harrison was renowned for his support and use of Esperanto in his own music).

David Gaines resides in Rockville, Maryland. A composer member of ASCAP and the American Music Center, he is completing a concerto for baritone saxophone and chamber orchestra (for the Seattle saxophonist James DeJoie), to be recorded in Slovakia in May 2008 for a chamber music CD release in 2009.


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DAVID GAINES (b. 1961) has been hailed by a wide variety of critics and other artists for his imaginative orchestrations, the international flavor of his music, and his exploration of new sonorities through unique instrumental combinations while remaining rooted in traditional musical structures:

▸ “a captivating performance....a milestone in the canon of symphonic band literature” (Washington Post)

▸ “colorful percussion writing....Gaines demonstrates a keen affinity for orche... (read more)