Welcome!

Welcome to the homepage of young Massachusetts composer Derek Strykowski. Derek is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, better known as ASCAP. Recently appointed Composer in Residence of the Irving Fine Society, Derek also serves as the Music Director of the Brandeis University Marching Band and is the Assistant Music Director of the Top Score Film Orchestra. Commissions include the Robert Frost Foundation (2005) and Big Island Film Productions (McMulligan's Hovel, 2006). His work has also been performed by Quintessential Brass, the Corelli String Orchestra, and the Phillips Academy Concert Band. In arrangement and transcription Derek has worked with Project STEP, the Phillips Academy Brass Ensemble, the Cambridge Community Chorus, and the Andover Symphony Orchestra.

Derek has studied music theory and composition at the college level with Peter Warsaw at Phillips Academy Andover, Yu-Hui Chang at Brandeis University, and Eric Chasalow at Brandeis University. In the summer of 2005, the composer studied film scoring and music production at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Derek is currently an undergraduate music composition major in the Class of 2010 at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. The composer is also pursuing a minor in Business.

When not composing, Derek enjoys performing with numerous music ensembles. For information about these groups, including concert schedules, click here.

 

 

During the 2008-09 academic year, Derek will be studying music history and composition at St. Catherine's College, one of the largest constituent colleges within The University of Oxford. The music program at St. Catz, as the college is commonly known, is headed by Professor Peter Franklin. At the University level, Oxford is home to a bustling Faculty of Music, sponsoring numerous performances and lectures as it promotes a variety of music-related studies. Oxford also hosts the world-famous Bate Collection of historic musical instruments.

Derek will begin his studies in October 2008 and return to the United States at the end of June 2009. The year is divided into three terms, named by tradition Michaelmas, Hilary, and Trinity. By American standards, the school's two academic breaks are quite lengthy: six weeks off at Christmas and another six weeks in the spring.