Daniel Grabois is Assistant Professor of Horn at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Music. The former Chair of the Department of Contemporary Performance at the Manhattan School of Music, he is the hornist in the Meridian Arts Ensemble, a sextet of brass and percussion soon to celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary. With Meridian, he has performed over fifty world premieres, released ten CD’s, received two ASCAP/CMA Adventuresome Programming Awards, and toured worldwide, in addition to recording or performing with rock legends Duran Duran and Natalie Merchant and performing the music of Frank Zappa for the composer himself.

The author/composer of two etude books for horn, Grabois has appeared as a frequent guest with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and has performed in New York and on tour with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, and many other ensembles. He also appears on over thirty CD recordings, and has recorded a concerto written for him by composer David Rakowski. Grabois taught horn for fourteen years at The Hartt School, and has taught courses on the business of music at both Hartt and the Manhattan School of Music.

Recent Performances

Meridian Arts Ensemble performances in Ann Arbor and Bowling Green
Brandenburg Concerto #1, New York City
Solo recital, UW-Madison, with 4 world premieres including two by Grabois
Wisconsin Brass Quintet recital with world premiere of Gravikord by Grabois

About the Horn Studio

Every horn student at UW Madison studies with Professor Grabois. The studio is ranges in size from 10-15 students, with a mix of undergraduates, masters candidates, and doctoral candidates. Performance majors and music education majors have equal opportunities to play in ensembles. All students study solo works from all periods as well as etudes and orchestral excerpts. In the weekly masterclass, students perform for each other and learn to provide each other with constructive criticism. Occasional visitors provide an outside perspective, and Grabois also discusses all aspects of performance and teaching careers with students. Horn choir also meets weekly, performing anything from Bach motets to songs by Queen and Radiohead.

SoundWaves

Professor Grabois is also the founder and curator of the series SoundWaves, which combines science and music through innovative thematic lectures and performances.