"An award-winning American Composer With a Flair For
Creating 'Contagious' Music. . ."
Daniel Léo Simpson,
an award-winning American Composer with a flair for
creating "contagious" and engaging music, specializes
in unusual, interesting and dynamic works of every genre. From concerti and symphonies to
commercials and film music, he is distinguishing himself as unique in his field. His music has now been performed to world-wide audiences in Japan,
the Czech Republic, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Belgium among others.
He has had extensive music training, having been first introduced to Music Theory from Wes Humphrey at
Buena High School in Sierra Vista, Arizona who gave
him his first opportunity as a composer to score for the high school band and at the University of Arizona, Tucson, he studied
with Anna-Mae Sharp before finally concluding his graduate studies with such esteemed American composers as
Robert McBride and Robert Muczynski and now holds a Masters degree in Theory and
Composition from the University of Arizona in addition to holding both Elementary and Music
Teaching Credentials from Arizona State University and a K-12 California State Teaching Credential (with music
endorsement) and has taught in all classroom settings from kindergarten through junior college.
He moved to California in 1990 and was accepted at the Grove School of Music in Los Angeles,
where under the tutelage of Henry Mancini, Bill Conti, Joe Harnel, Allyn Ferguson and other master craftsman,
he studied the art of writing music for motion pictures.
There he worked as a commissioned artist creating music for featured films, television talk shows,
documentaries and commercials all while also working as a substitute teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District which included a long term
position in Pacific Palisades at Temescal Canyon Continuation Senior High School
with students facing special challenges.
His commissioned works have already been premiered in the San Francisco Bay area
while others are presently being prepared to be showcased by Bay area musicians. His Poéme for Cello and Orchestra
was performed at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts by the El Camino Youth Symphony with world renowned cellist Michail Gelfandbein as soloist.
He won First prize in the First Annual International Schillinger Composition Contest for his
composition "The Art of Schillinger",
composed wholly using Schillinger techniques and sponsored by The Schillinger School of Music in conjunction with the University of Hertfordshire,
United Kingdom.
His entry "Tuscaloosa Tango",
has been selected as the winner of the 2010 Alabama Orchestra Association Composition Competition which includes an all-expense paid
invitation as composer in residence to attend the 2010 All-State Festival on February 11th-14th in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, participate in the Meet
the Composer aspect of the Festival, and work closely with the conductor and ensemble that is premiering his work.
Mr. Simpson's composition "Nocturne - A Poem for Symphonic Orchestra", his piece for Violin & Orchestra entitled Soliloquy have been selected as a winning composition from over 600 entries for ERMMedia''s
CD "MASTERWORKS OF THE NEW ERA" and recorded by the Grammy Award-Winning Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, and his music was chosen from over 650 entries to score the 1904 Thomas Edison silent
film classic, "Maniac Chase".
Most recently, Mr. Simpson's The Hero's Homecoming was performed outside of Prague, Czech Republic by the Police Symphony Orchestra
and his Soliloquy for Violin & Orchestra was performed by the New Millennium Chamber Orchestra in San Carlos, California with
Colyn Fischer, violin soloist, under the direction of James Richard Frieman.
Daniel currently and happily resides with his wife, Palo Alto music teacher
Mary Helen Migotti Simpson, in the San Francisco Bay area.
Hover the mouse over scrolling text to pause...
Start | Stop [Forward/Reverse] [TURBO SCROLL]
My Life Goal (in many languages)
(Please watch below...)
All music on this site is Copyright 2008 by Daniel Léo Simpson
All unauthorized reproduction of it's contents is strictly forbidden without
permission of the composer [Takes you to the Composer's YouTube channel]
Soliloquy for Violin & Orchestra goes to San Carlos, California!
A performance has been scheduled for Sunday, April 19, 2013 by the "New Millinium Orchestra"
for soloist and full orchestra at the Trinity Presbiterian Church 1106 Alameda De Las Pulgas, San Carlos, California!
Soliloquy for Viola Profonda & Piano goes to Berlin Germany!
[Video below shows Juan González & Jarkko Rühimäki performing an arrangement for
Viola Profonda & Pianoforte
Berlin, Germany ~ November 29, 2011]
The Hero's Homecoming goes to the Czech Republic!
A performance has been scheduled for Sunday, January 6th, 2013 by the "Police Symphony Orchestra"
in Police nad Metuji, Czech Republic. Za týden se budeme tešit!
Inno alla Madonna del Sasso goes to Ticino, Switzerland!
The Composer and his wife have been invited to Magadino, Switzerland in the Canton Ticino for the world premiere of his composition.
The text, written by the celebrated local poet and journalist "Diego Invernizzi" of Quartino, was set to music by the composer in December 2011.
It will be performed by the choir of the Catholic Church of Magadino in August 2012.
The Buena High School Alma Mater goes to Sierra Vista, Arizona, conducted by the Composer
The Composer considers it an honor to have been invited by the current Buena High School band director Dr. Duane Chun,
to compose an Alma Mater for Buena High School in Sierra Vista, Arizona, the high school from which the Composer himself graduated.
On February 9th, 2012 in Sierra Vista, Arizona, the Composer will conduct the Buena High School Band in a concert which will premiere
the new composition.
A Commission for a "Sonata for Two Trombones" is received...
A commissioned work for Denise & Kent Nelson of Salt Lake City, Utah. It's scheduled for its World Premiere performance in the Spring of 2012.
Hi Daniel,
On the 29th [Oct. 2011] Juan and the other three musicians will be performing (world premier!!!! :) the first movement of your profonda quartet. Nikodemus-Chuch Berlin Nannsenstreet 12/13
at 8:00 PM
I'm very excited!!! All the best for you and Mary
Marcelo
Ave Maria goes on tour in Belgium!
Hallo lieber Daniel,
Ich werde das für uns geschriebene "Ave Maria" für Sopran, Flöte und Orgel, das meinen Solisten sehr gut gefällt,
im April während einer Konzertreise meines Ensembles in Belgien uraufführen.
Natürlich bekommen Sie eine Aufnahme zugeschickt.
Ich hätte gern für das Programmheft eine kurze Vorstellung / Biografie von Ihnen , wäre das möglich mir diese per mail zuzusenden?
Mit besten Grüβen nach San Francisco
Ihr Freund Lutz
[Google Tranlator]
Hi dear Daniel,
I will premiere the written for us, "Ave Maria" for soprano, flute and organ, my soloists are very good, in April during
a concert tour of my ensemble in Belgium. Of course, you will get a recording. I would like for the program a short
introduction / biography of you, that would be possible to send me this by mail?
Best regards to San Francisco
Your friend Lutz
Exsultate Jubilate goes to Germany!
Mezzo-soprano, our compatriot Liliana Seyyed-Bussonvill, will give a concert in the capital of the land Caar (Saarland)
City of Saarbrucken in Saarbruecken Schloss castle (Schlos Saarbrucken). The concert will be held with the support of the
City Hall Volklingen, as well as various sponsors on Feb. 26, 2011. This is the second solo concert with the famous
Georgian pianist and organist Marina Kavtaradze. The concert program includes "From VA, Mozart to DL Simpson,"
will feature arias from operas by Mozart, Gluck, Ponchielli, Mussorgsky, Tchaikovsky...also, the debut of the aria from
the cantata «Exsultate, jubilate» by American composer Daniel Léo Simpson. Cantata was written for Lillian Seyyed-Bussonvill.
"Deborah" reaches over 10,000 views!
Ave Maria and Romanza goes to Japan!
Tokyo(at Bunkyo Civic hall) on December 22, 2010 Keiko Nishizu, Pianist; Soprano, Misao Mayuki;
Update - December 23, 2010:
Daniel,
Our concert was a great success!!!
Misao and I played your Ave Maria - She sang very well!
And the audience was deeply moved by your Romance. Some of my friends told me it seems so difficult to play, and it's great music. I think your Romance was the most brilliant piece of all programs.
Thank you very much for wonderful music!!!
Have a nice holiday!!
Keiko
Tuscaloosa Tango goes to the People's Republic of China!
Prof. Luke Chih, Conductor, Composer and Arranger who was recently invited by China's Hu-nan Symphony Orchestra to conduct
a concert for American Compositions, has selected the Maestro's "TUSCALOOSA TANGO" to be programed
for their end of April 2010 concert at Zhengzhou, Henan, in the People's Republic of China.
The Composer is invited to lecture at the University of Tennessee, Chattoonoga
An Honorium is secured for him to Lecture to the Advanced Theory classes
Click HERE.
TUSCALOOSA TANGO Wins!!!
Daniel Léo Simpson is this year's winner of the annual Alabama Orchestra Association's
composition competition. His work, "Tuscaloosa Tango," will be performed at the 2010 Alabama All-State
Orchestra Festival as composer in residence.
Click HERE.
The Composer's music chosen for DVD release!
Maestro Simpson's submission for Thomas Edison's 1904(!) silent film classic "Maniac Chase"choosen from over 650 submissions!
To read letter and watch sample video click HERE.
"Soliloquy for Violin & Orchestra" selected from over 500 entries!
Maestro Simpson's composition Soliloquy for Violin & Orchestra chosen from nearly 600 submissions
for the upcoming ERMMedia CD Millennium project: MADE IN THE AMERICAS!
(See letter Here)
Canton Ticino, Switzerland inspires "Val Verzasca!"
A wonderful place to hike, camp or just visit not far from Locarno, Switzerland.
Mary's relatives all come from this area.
Un posto meraviglioso per escursioni, campeggio o semplicemente visitare non lontano da Locarno, in Svizzera.
Maria parenti provengono tutti da questa zona.
Ein wunderbarer Ort zum Wandern, Zelten oder einfach nicht weit von Locarno, Schweiz besuchen.
Mary's Verwandten alle aus dieser Gegend kommen.
"The Art of Schillinger" wins 1st Place in the UK!
Maestro Simpson's composition The Art of Schillinger r3-2
Winner of the First International Schillinger Composition contest
Sponsored by The Schillinger School of Music in the United Kingdom
(See email Here)
"Nocturne for Orchestra" selected from over 300 entries!
Maestro Simpson's composition Nocturne - a Poem for Symphonic Orchestra chosen from over 300 submissions
for the upcoming ERMMedia the Award-Winning CD Project! "Masterworks of the New Era"
(See letter Here)
"La Coza - for Viola & Pianoforte" The 18 year old Composer holding his very first composition...
The Composer completes the Schillinger Course in Rhythm Engineering from the Schillinger Society
Click HERE
Note: Daniel Léo Simpson was selected in 1969 and 1970 to travel to Europe with the All-Student Band USA under the direction of Paul Noble from the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music for a six week tour of Europe with a group of selected high school students from across the United States.
He would love to contact any others who he met as a result of that tour. Please email or Facebook:
Gift Before The Altar physical CD now available for purchase at Amazon.com!
