Gary Berger

11.02.1967

– Studies in percussion at the Musikhochschule Zürich
– Studies in composition under the tutelage of Julio Estrada in Paris and Gerald Bennett & Daniel Glaus at the Hochschule Musik und Theater Zürich (graduated 2002 with a HMT Zürich diploma in composition)
– Attended courses in composition with Iannis Xenakis, Michael Jarrell, Salvatore Sciarrino, Chaya Czernowin, Luca Francesconi and Manuel Hidalgo.
1998/1999 – Work stipend from the FST (Föreningen svenska tonsättares), Stockholm.
– Received further education in electronic music at the Swiss Centre for Computer Music and under the tutelage of Curtis Roads at UPIC (Unité Polyagogique Informatique du CEMAMU) in Paris followed by practical work at the IRCAM in Paris
– Specializes in contemporary music and the interpretation of live electronic performances
1999/2001 – Prize winner at CIMESP (Concurso Internacional de Música Eletroacústica de São Paulo) in Brazil
2001 – Supported residency offered by the foundation Binz39 and the canton Grison for a stay at the artist's house NAIRS in Scuol
2005 – Sabbatical year for composition offered by the city of Zurich
2006 – composer in residence at the Institut International de Musique Electroacoustique de Bourges (IMEB), France
2007 – Cash endowed prize offered by the canton of Grison
1999 until 2001 – Artistic director of the concert series 'musica moderna' in Wädenswil
Since 2005 – Artistic director of the concert series 'generator' for electroacoustic music and new media at the Hochschule der Künste Zürich
– Founder and member of the electroacoustic ensemble NOTSTROM
Gary Berger has been a teacher of electroacoustic composition at the Hochschule der Künste Zürich since 2001. He additionally lectures as a guest at the Musikhochschule Franz Liszt in Weimar, the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts and the Landeskonservatorium Feldkirch.
The work of Gary Berger encompasses compositions for various ensemble forces and solo instruments, with or without electronic, and electronic tape works. His compositions are distributed by Swiss Music Edition.
Gary Berger has received commissions from Pro Helvetia (Swiss Culture Foundation), 'Tage für Neue Musik Zürich', the 'Europeäischen Musikmonats Basel' 2001, the ISMC World New Music Days 2004, the IMEB 'Institut International de Musique Electroacoustique de Bourges' - France, the Lucerne Festival 2008, the city of Zurich, the City of Basel and others.
His works have been performed by the Ensemble Cattrall - Zurich, Ensemble Phöenix - Basel, Ensemble Laboratorium - Basel, KammarensembleN - Stockholm, Ensemble B.E.A.M., Color of Sound Ensemble - Spain, the Arte Quartett, Absolut Trio, Wiener Saxophon-Quartett and others.
Gary Berger has featured in portrait broadcasts on Swiss Radio DRS 2 and SWR Germany.
He lives as a freelance composer in Zurich.

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