About


Bio                    





Dr. Michael Hoffman has worked primarily in the world of jazz, as a guitarist writing for his own groups and, more recently, as a writer of large-ensemble jazz compositions for the New York University Concert Jazz Ensemble, the BMI New York Jazz Orchestra, and the Brooklyn Jazz Composer's Orchestra. He has performed with such artists as Richie Cole and David Amram. He has received a BA in Music Education from C.W. Post College, an MA, and a Ph.D. in Composition from New York University. He has also written for dance and theater as well as for orchestra, soloists, chamber and percussion ensembles, and has been involved as a Musical Director with the BroadHollow Theater. Currently working as a free-lance guitarist, composer, arranger, copyist, and music lithographer, Dr. Hoffman has served on the faculties of Kean University, Mercy College, Sacred Heart University, Queensborough Community College, and Bucks County Community College. Dr. Hoffman has studied composition with Howard Rovics, Pat Castle, Jim McNeely, Manny Albam, and Kenneth Peacock. His compositions have been performed internationally, as well as at the conference of the International Association of Jazz Educators and at the Texaco New York Jazz Festival, as well as other important venues, including Merkin Concert Hall, and the Blue Note in New York City. He is currently a member of BMI, American Music Center and the Society of Composers Inc. Some compositions are published by C. F. Peters, Ensemble Music Publications, and DSM Producers, but much is available directly from the composer. Dr. Hoffman's work in musical analysis and theory has been recently published in the scholarly journal 21st Century Music (formerly 20th Century Music).

Photo Gallery

Compositions

Original compositions for Jazz Orchestra
Double Helix - 2 clar, 2 ten, baritone sax / 4 tpts, 4 tbns. / 
piano, bass, drums (Tenor sax solo)
Smoke & Mirrors - 2 fl, 2, clar, bass clar. / 4 tpts, 4 tbns. / 
piano, guitar, bass, drums (Clarinet and Trombone solo)
Take the Time - 2 alto (2 clar.), 2 ten (1 clar), baritone sax / 4 
tpts, 4 tbns. / piano, guitar, bass, drums (Trumpet, Tenor sax 
solo,w/coll.improv.)
Blue O'Clock - 2 sop. (2 fl), 2 ten.,baritone sax / 3 tpts, 1 
flugelhorn, 4 tbns. / piano, guitar, bass, drums (Flugelhorn and 
Piano solo)
Nor'easter - 2 alto, 2 ten, baritone sax / 4 tpts, 4 tbns./ piano, 
guitar, bass, drums (Piano, Guitar, Tenor sax solo)
Bird Brain - 2 alto, 2 ten, baritone sax / 4 tpts, 4 tbns./ piano, 
guitar, bass, drums (Alto sax, Guitar solo, w/ coll. improv.)
A Crazy Time - 2 alto (2 fl), 2 ten (2 fl), baritone sax / 4 tpts, 4 
tbns. / piano, bass, drums (Trombone solo)
Seconds Out - 1 sop (clar), 1 alto (clar.), 2 ten (1 clar.), 
baritone sax (bass clar.) / 4 tpts, 4 tbns. / piano, bass, drums 
(Tenor sax solo)
Congo Square - 2 alto, 2 ten, baritone sax / 4 tpts, 4 tbns./ piano, guitar, bass, drums (Guitar, Trombone, Alto sax solo)
Miles to Go - 
2 alto, 2 ten, baritone sax / 4 tpts, 4 tbns./ piano, guitar, bass, drums (Piano, Guitar, Trumpet solo)

Contemporary Concert Music
The Anarchy of Atoms - Duet for Violin and Cello 2008 dur: ca. 10 min. 
A Bone Alone - for Solo Trombone 2007 dur: ca. 6 min.
An Ancient Echo - Percussion Duo for Timpani (3) and Marimba 2006 dur: ca. 6 min. (available from C. F. Peters Corp)
Five Symphonic Variations - 2006 dur: ca. 50 min.
Portrait of Ellen - Theme and Variations for String Quartet 2006 dur: ca. 10 min.
Tangled Streams - for Woodwind Quintet 2005 dur: ca. 8 min.
The Horizon in Motion - for Symphonic Band 2004 dur: ca. 9 min.
Refractions - for Mixed Quartet (Fl, Clar, Tpt, and Piano) 2004 dur: ca. 7 min.
Tempus Fugit - for Bass Flute and Piano 2003 dur: ca. 7 min.
A Walk in the Park - for Brass Quintet 2003 dur: ca. 7 min. 
...As the Crow Flies - for Saxophone Quartet 2001 dur: ca. 8 min. 
Six Jazz Portraits - for Solo Trumpet 1999 dur: ca. 10 min. (available from Ensemble Publications) 
The Missing Link - for Percussion Ensemble (7 players) 1999 dur: ca. 10 min. 
The Lake of Dreams - for Chamber Orchestra (1111/1111/single strings, harp) 2000 dur: ca. 13 min. 
Isle of Devils - for String Orchestra (minimum 4-4-3-2-2) 1996 dur: ca. 9 min. 
Episodic Ruminations - for solo Piano 1997 dur: ca. 7 min. 
...As if Real - for solo cello 2001 dur: ca. 9 min. 
Waterfall in a Cloud - for horn quartet 1994 dur: ca. 9 min. (available from Ensemble Publications) 
Long Shadows into Light - for string quartet 1992 dur: ca. 17 min. 
3 Winds - for woodwind trio (Fl, Clar, Bs. Clar.) 1981 dur.: ca. 8 min.

Published Articles

Stravinsky/AGON - an overview analysis - 20th Century Music 5/97
Boulez/ Le Marteau sans maitre - an overview analysis - 20th Century Music 9/97
Just Play the Changes: An Aesthetic Inquiry into the Notation and Interpretation of Chord Symbols - 20th Century Music 2/98
Carter/ String Quartet No. 2 - an overview analysis - 20th Century Music 1/99 
Schoenberg/ Erwartung - an overview analysis - 20th Century Music 9/99
Fibonacci Proportions in Composition: An analysis of an original work 
for jazz orchestra - Doctoral Dissertation, available from UMI (800 521 0600 or http://disexpress.umi.com/dxweb)