2022 Seminar     (2024 Seminar to be Announced)

Thursday, June 23, 2022
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Meet the Composer, Avner Dorman
Moderator, Gus Rosendale

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AVNER DORMAN

Avner Dorman writes music of intricate craftsmanship and rigorous technique, expressed with a soulful and singular voice. A native of Israel now living in the United States, Dorman draws on various cultural and historical influences in composing, resulting in music that affects an emotional impact while exploring new territories. His music utilizes an exciting and complex rhythmic vocabulary, as well as unique timbres and colors in orchestral, chamber, and solo settings; many of his compositions have become contemporary staples in the repertoire. Dorman’s music is championed by conductors including Zubin Mehta, Christoph Eschenbach, Ricardo Chailly, Andris Nelsons, and soloists Pinchas Zukerman, Gil Shaham, Martin Grubinger, and Hilary Hahn.

The 2021–2022 season features two world premieres of new operas by Dorman. Kundry, a monodrama for soprano and large orchestra, premiered at the Regarding Festival at the Israeli Opera House in Tel-Aviv, on October 21, 2021. In March 2022, the world premiere of Dorman’s opera for children titled Die Kinder Des Sultans opened at Theater Dortmund, in Dortmund, Germany. During the 2021-2022 season, Dorman will serve as composer in residence for the Thuringen Philharmonie Gotha-Eisenach, in Gotha, Germany. The residency will feature two world premieres in May 2022: a new work for orchestra on the theme of “The Fifth Element” and Dorman’s 3rd piano concerto, commissioned by and written for Mackenzie Melemed.

Dorman’s music has garnered numerous awards and prizes. At the age of 25, he became the youngest composer to win Israel’s prestigious Prime Minister’s Award for his Ellef Symphony. He has earned several international awards from ASCAP, ACUM, and the Asian Composers League. His music is available on Naxos, Deutsche Grammophone, Canary Classics, and other labels. Dorman studied composition with John Corigliano and Josef Bardanashvili, and he holds a doctorate in composition from the Juilliard School. Dorman currently serves as Associate Professor of Music Theory and Composition at the Sunderman Conservatory of Music at Gettysburg College.

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GUS ROSENDALE

Gus Rosendale is the co-anchor for NBC 4 New York’s “Weekend Today in New York” which airs Saturday and Sunday mornings. He also covers breaking news during the week. A Long Island native, Rosendale covered Superstorm Sandy and its devastating aftermath from his hometown of Long Beach. As part of NBC 4’s team coverage of Sandy, Rosendale was awarded a New York Emmy, a National Emmy and an Edward R. Murrow award.

Rosendale’s anchoring and reporting was a key component of NBC 4 New York’s award- winning COVID-19 coverage, honored in January, 2021 with the prestigious Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Award; for “creating a 360 view in real time of the coronavirus pandemic, with courageous and thorough reporting on the virus explosion in New York City.” The duPont has long been recognized as the broadcast documentary and on-line equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize, also awarded by Columbia University.

In 2017, his commitment to journalistic excellence was recognized with a regional Edward R. Murrow Award and a New York Emmy for NBC 4 New York’s team coverage of the 2017 Tribeca terror attacks.

During the week, Rosendale covers breaking news throughout the Tri-State area. He has also covered the Boston Marathon bombing and the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The proud son of a New York City Firefighter, Rosendale has also contributed to NBC 4’s extensive coverage of issues important to first responders and their families, including passage of the federal Zardoga Act and the renewal of the Victim’s Compensation Fund.

Rosendale joined NBC 4 New York in February 2012 from KSTP-TV (ABC) in Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN where he was the 9 PM and 11 PM weekday anchor and assignment reporter. He first joined the NBC family in 2000 at WPTZ-TV (Hearst/ NBC) in Plattsburgh, NY and Burlington VT where he anchored the 5 PM, 6 PM and 11 PM newscasts. While at WPTZ-TV, Rosendale covered the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics. Rosendale received his degree in Journalism and Political Science from the American University in Washington, D.C.