From Music Teaching to Composing

Most of us know Joseph Hollings as the middle school music teacher and director of admission at University School, but few are aware of his impressive career as a composer and arranger.

Most recently, Hollings composed a three-movement piece, Sinfonia for Orchestra, written specially for the Suburban Symphony Orchestra and its music director, Martin Kessler, former music teacher and director of the University School orchestra and glee club. The piece debuted last week at the orchestra's Hail University concert, which kicked-off the school's 125th anniversary.

"The three movements follow something of a traditional symphonic order," said Hollings. "There is a moderately-paced and stately opening movement, a slow and reflective middle section, and a quick, psychedelic 'will-o'-the-wisp' finale, as Director Martin Kessler described it."

Hollings's arrangements have been performed on the international stage, including his arrangement of The Pirates of Penzance for the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company in London's West End. He has run an independent record label, mastered a record at Abbey Road, and had his arrangements of Aaron Copland's Four Dance Episodes from Rodeo recorded by the Onyx Brass Quintet and released on Meridian Records. He has composed for solo voices, big bands, string quartets, jazz combos, and orchestras, and is Vice Chairman of the Cleveland Composers Guild.

Sinfonia for Orchestra was enthusiastically received at its premiere, which was made all the more special by the presence of so many University School musicians performing with the ensemble. Johnny Lee, US class of 1997, performed Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto. Aaron Copland's Quiet City featured Eric Dina, US class of 1994 on trumpet, and Jeffrey Kish, US 2003 on English horn.

University School music teacher Katherine Willow-Peterson is among the orchestra's 80 members, along with US alumni Philip Kish and Carl Greppin.