Augusta Read Thomas (born April 24, 1964) is an American composer and University Professor of Composition in the Department of Music at the University of Chicago, where she is also director of the Chicago Center for Contemporary Composition.[1]
A former chairperson of the American Music Center, she is on many boards and, according to Wise Music Classical, "has become one of the most recognizable and widely loved figures in American music."[3]
In 2004 she was elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music.[17]
Immediately after receiving her degree from the Royal Academy of Music,[18] Thomas was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1989. At 23, she was the youngest woman recipient of the honor at the time.[19]
Career
Shortly after completing her Guggenheim Fellowship, Thomas began teaching at the Eastman School of Music.[20]
In 2010, the University of Chicago announced Thomas's appointment as University Professor of Composition in the Department of Music and the college. She is the 16th designated professor appointed by the university. In 2018, it was announced that Thomas had created the Chicago Center for Contemporary Composition[21] (CCCC) at the University of Chicago.
In 2016, Thomas created and co-curated the Ear Taxi Festival,[22] which included over 350 musicians, 88 composers, and 54 world premieres. The two-day festival took place in Chicago. The festival's success earned Thomas the title "Chicagoan of the Year" from Chicago magazine.[23]
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