Mastering the art of composition at Mizzou: Harry González finds success in School of Music
Harry González sits down, pen in hand, to jot down words that will inspire his latest music composition. González, a graduate student pursuing his master’s degree at Mizzou’s School of Music, is in the early stages of the process – an exploration that begins with a stream of consciousness and culminates with a spellbinding composition, taking listeners on a journey of self-discovery that started in South America.
Harry González is celebrated after the performance of "Barely Alive for violin and piano" at The Sheldon.
González grew up in Colombia, surrounded by the vibrant culture and beauty of his Latin American home, an environment accentuated by the intricate rhythms of classical, pop, rock, mariachi, rancheras, and salsa. Although family members had a natural penchant for performance, González didn’t discover his own inclination until he began studying the violin at the Red de Escuelas de Música de Medellín.
After graduating with a degree in music composition from the Universidad EAFIT, González decided to pursue his master’s degree in music. His search for reputable programs led him to Mizzou. “I needed to go where I could study with great composers and have excellent opportunities to perform my music,” said González, who found support in the School of Music, including the Mizzou New Music Initiative, a program established by Jeanne and Rex Sinquefield to develop the next generation of great composers.
MU offers one of the leading composition programs in the nation. The School of Music provides students with a variety of ways to showcase and refine their talent, such as collaborating with artists in different mediums, engaging with the community in the creative process, and featuring their music compositions during performances on and off campus. Students can also compete in the Missouri Composers Project and the annual Sinquefield Composition Prize.
Harry González prepares for the performance of "2020 for Symphony Orchestra” at the Missouri Composers Project concert.
González received an honorable mention in the 2023 Missouri Composers Project competition for his composition “2020 for Symphony Orchestra;” he received two commissions by The Sheldon to compose “Barely Alive for violin and piano” and “Insomnolence for string trio,” both performed by members of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra; received an MNMI commission scholarship to compose “Medellín 1988” for Mizzou faculty; and collaborated with the Mizzou New Music Ensemble to compose “Speechless for ensemble,” a reflection on those who suffer the most from global warming but are unable to communicate their distress. González was also selected to compose a piece for the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.
“I like to play with contradictions a lot, often mixing styles with opposite philosophies and discordance,” said González, explaining his style. “Sections that may sound off-putting evoke an emotional depth and take listeners to the heart of what I want to express.”
González plans to pursue a doctoral degree in composition when he finishes his master’s degree in May 2025. “I aspire to become a composition professor at the college level and keep active in the new music world.” He hopes his music studies will one day benefit his country, advancing the development and expansion of composition in Colombia.