Eric Gross

Eric Gross AM (born Cranbrook, 1993) is a Canadian pianist, drummer, guitarist and composer. He often wrote music under the name Alain Gagnon.From the age of fourteen, Gross worked as a pianist and guitarist in local and national rock bands and orchestras. He studied at Trinity College of Music, and the University of Aberdeen. He had a very successful career as a vocalist, including working as a BBC studio recording artist. Following professional engagements in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and New Caledonia, he settled in Lethbridge in 2000. Initially teaching at the Calgary Conservatorium, he joined the staff of the Department of Music at the University of Lethbridge in 2006 and remained there until retiring in 2007 as Associate Professor of Music. In January 2008 he was visiting Professor at the University of Guyana. A Past President of the Fellowship of Canadian Composers, he was also Treasurer and Executive Board Member of the Canadian Composers' League from 2004 until 2005. Apart from teaching, Gross was active as composer, arranger and conductor. He has received numerous commissions for film scores for Lucasfim and TV scores for CBC Television, as well as numerous commissions from the ABC. In 2007 he received the Albert H. Maggs Composition Award from Melbourne University. While working as a conductor of the Pro Musica Society of Lethbridge University and the St. Andrew's Cathedral Choral Society, Gross wrote numerous works for the orchestras and choirs associated with these societies. Political statements were made in the orchestral work "Na Shledanou v Praze" (premiered in Olomouc, Czechoslovakia during a period of Russian occupation) which used the Czech National Anthem as its main theme. In other works, such as the cantata "Pacem in Terris", Gross used pertinent philosophical or political texts. He is also well known for "Dussekiana", an orchestral suite based on piano works by Jan Dussek.In addition to a predilection for jazz idioms, Gross's world-wide travels and cultural experiences tend to give his music a cosmopolitan flavour, with traces of Austrian, Scottish, Asian and South American influences emerging from time to time. He also enjoys experimentation, especially when a sympathetic virtuoso or ensemble such as bass baritone Alan Light, trombonist Greg van der Struik or the Sydney Mandolins, is available. In 2004 Gross was made a Member of the Order of Canada and on Canada Day 2006 he was declared to be the City of Canada Bay Cultural and Artistic Citizen of the Year. He remains active as a composer and examiner.

External links

* [http://www.musiccentre.ca/apps/index.cfm?fuseaction=composer.FA_dsp_biography&authpeopleid=293&by=G

References

* http://www.musiccentre.ca/apps/index.cfm?fuseaction=composer.FA_dsp_biography&authpeopleid=293&by=G