All About JULIE GIROUX
Julie Ann Giroux was born in Fairhaven, Massachusetts on December 12, 1961. She graduated from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge LA in 1984. She started playing piano at 3 years of age and began composing at the age of 8 and has been composing ever since. Her first published work for concert band, published by Southern Music Company was composed at the age of 13.
Julie began composing commercially in 1984. She was hired by Oscar winning composer Bill Conti as an orchestrator, her first project with Conti being “North & South” the mini-series. With over 100 film, television and video game credits, Giroux collaborated with dozens of film composers, producers, and celebrities including Samuel Goldwyn, Martin Scorsese, Clint Eastwood, Madonna, Liza Minnelli, Celene Dion, Paula Abdul, Michael Jackson, Paul Newman, Harry Connick Jr. and many others. Projects she has worked on have been nominated for Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Golden Globe awards. She has won individual Emmy Awards in the field of “Outstanding Individual Achievement in Music Direction”. When She won her first Emmy Award, she was the first woman and the youngest person to ever win that award. She has won it three times.
Giroux has also published a large category of classical works with emphasis on original compositions for Wind Band which are published by Musica Propria and distributed internationally. She is greatly sought after as a composer and recently completing her 5th Symphony “Sun, Rain & Wind” which premiered in June, 2018. Her music has been recorded and reviewed internationally receiving top reviews and her music has been performed at major music festivals the world over.
Giroux has been a true force in a male dominated field and has accrued many previously male only awards. She is a member of ASCAP, The Film Musicians Fund, Kappa Kappa PSI, Tau Beta Sigma and a member of the American Bandmasters Association. She is a recipient of the Distinguished Service to Music Medal Award, Emmy Awards and was the first female composer inducted into the American Bandmasters Association in 2009.
The Inauguration on January 9, 2021 was historic. Kamala D. Harris was made the first female Vice President in the history of the United States of America. Her acceptance speech began with these words:
"Good evening. It is my honor to be here. To stand on the shoulders of those who came before. To speak tonight as your Vice President."
"Integrity March" the 1st movement from Giroux's Symphony No. 3, titled "No Finer Calling" was performed by the Presidents Own Band, conducted by Col. Jason K. Fettig, as Vice President Elect Harrison was introduced during the ceremony.
Another small piece of history was made as it was the first time music by a Female composer was used during a U.S. Presidential Inauguration Ceremony.
A FEW NOTES BETWEEN FRIENDS
Album Title: A FEW NOTES BETWEEN FRIENDS: THE MUSIC OF JULIE GIROUX
Recording: University of North Texas Symphonic Band
Conductor: Various conductors
Publisher: KLAVIER K-11202
Band World Review:
Julie Giroux is a multi-faceted composer who is just at home writing for band as she is for film and television. Dennis Fisher is usually the conductor of the UNT Symphonic Band but he shares the duties with several guest conductors on this CD.
The major work is the masterful and highly descriptive Symphony No. 4: Bookmarks from Japan which features a different conductor for each of the six movements. The other works are One Life Beautiful, Impressions, Overture in Five Flat, Riften Wed, Before the Sun, The Twelve Gallon Hat and Carnaval! The final composition is the End Credits from the motion picture The Right Stuff. This music, arranged by Julie Giroux, is by her longtime friend and mentor Bill Conti who also conducts the performance.
A Few Notes Between Friends is an innovative idea and a fine recording you should get acquainted with.
A SYMPHONY OF FABLES
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Masanori Taruya: A Golden Apple of Hesperides
By Masanori Taruya - 小松一彦 & Osaka Municipal Symphonic Band 7:40
Julie Giroux: A Symphony of Fables: I. the Lion and the Mouse 5:22
Julie Giroux: A Symphony of Fables: II. the Pied Piper of Hamelin 4:36
Julie Giroux: A Symphony of Fables: III. The Tortoise and the Hare 3:50
Julie Giroux: A Symphony of Fables: IV. the Ugly Duckling 4:19
Julie Giroux: A Symphony of Fables: V. the Three Billy Goats Gruff 4:01
Peter Graham: 'In League With Extraordinary Gentlemen' Concerto for Euphonium: I. the Time Traveller 8:21
Peter Graham: 'In League With Extraordinary Gentlemen' Concerto for Euphonium: Ii. the Final Problem 7:08
Peter Graham: 'In League With Extraordinary Gentlemen' Concerto for Euphonium: Iii. the Great Race 3:52
Peter Graham: Journey to the Centre of the Earth 15:51
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Released: Nov 21, 2008
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℗ 2008 OSAKA MUNICIPAL SYMPHONIC BAND
Album Title: SHINE
Recording: University of North Texas Symphonic Band
Conductor: Dennis Fisher
Publisher: KLAVIER K-11221
Review compilations;
"On this release, Shine, the University of North Texas Symphonic Band presents some of her most fantastic concert band pieces. The Symphonic Band at UNT has developed an exemplary national reputation for both their performances and recordings. Membership is drawn from the finest musicians attending the College of Music. "
"The music is diverse, expansive and exhilarating. Her southern roots are on full display in the music. Giroux paints pictures with ease and her scoring is among the best in the world. Truly a joy to listen to."
"Dragon Sky made me look up more than once, fearful of dragons. Shine lives up to its name and should come with a free shot or two of the countries best moonshine!"
"Every university in the country should be teaching her orchestration techniques. She doesn't compose "band" music.
It is just music, and some of the best around."
"Fisher and Giroux have done it again. Jingle them Bells, Shine and A few notes between friends are always on my play list!"
THE MUSIC OF JULIE GIROUX
The Music of Julie Giroux
Recording by the Univerity of Texas, El Paso. Ron Hufstader, Conducting.
Released by Mark Masters 2010. 8724-MCD
1. To Walk With Wings (7:38)
2. Vigils Keep (10:11)
3. Let Your Spirit Sing (3:22)
4. Journey Through Orion (6:38)
5. KHAN (6:21)
6. Culloden Movement III, Finale (8:25)
7. Glenbury Grove (6:31)
8. La Mezquita de Cordoba (11:40)
Masters, 10815 Bodine Road * Clarence, NY 14031-0406
Ph: 716 759-2600 * www.markcustom.com * Support Music, Don*t Copy.
WARNING: All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws.
Review
A recording of Julie Girouxs music has been overdue but this solid collection by UTEP Wind Symphony was worth the wait. Girouxs works have been receiving plenty of attention in the programs of bands and wind ensembles everywhere. While Girouxs earlier works are in the catalog of Southern Music Company, this recorded collection of more recent works are in the catalog of Musica Propria, Inc. The compositions featured are Vigils Keep, La Mezquita de Cordoba, Journey Through Orion, Glenbury Grove, the appropriately named Let Your Spirit Sing and a most descriptive work entitled KHAN. Also included are a pair of Girouxs most popular compositions To Walk With Wings: Fanfare & Overture and the Finale from the three movement suite Culloden. The listener will find Girouxs style very appreciable, imaginative and free from the clutter, clichés, and tedium of so many other composers in their writings for school, community and professional bands. Ron Hufstader and the UTEP Wind Symphony have outdone themselves with this ideal recording of Girouxs music. I eagerly await Volume 2!!
--Ira Novoselsky - Band World 2010
CONCERT BAND CHRISTMAS MUSIC GONE CRAZY
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Ding Dong Merrily on High (arr. J. Giroux)
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All Through the Night (arr. J. Giroux)
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Hark! Those Jingle Bells are Smokin'! (after F. Mendelssohn's Hark! The Herald Angels Sing! and J. Pierpont's Jingle Bells)
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Peter Patapan (after P.I. Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite: Arabian Dance and B. de La Monnoye's Patapan)
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Christmas with Mozart
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What Child is that Playing Carol of the Bells? (after W.C. Dix's What Child is This?)
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The Little Drummer Boy's Bolero (after The Little Drummer Boy and M. Ravel's Bolero)
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The First Noel (arr. J. Giroux)
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I Got Rhythm for Christmas (after J.S. Bach's Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring and M. Leontovych's Carol of the Bells)
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The 12 Days Of Christmas (arr. J. Giroux)
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Silent Night in Gotham (after F. Gruber's Silent Night)
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Christmas and Sousa Forever! (after J.P. Sousa's Stars and Stripes Forever)
COMPOSERS ON COMPOSING FOR BAND:
VOLUME TWO
Contributing composers: James Curnow,
Johan de Meij, Julie Giroux, Donald Grantham,
Robert Jager, Pierre la Plante, David Maslanka,
Philip Sparke, Eric Whitacre, Dana Wilson
Edited by Mark Camphouse
Composers on Composing for Band, Volume Two, picks up where volume one left off, opening the door to the creative genius of ten more composers at the top of their field.
Those who choose to walk through that doorway will travel through the fantasy world of Johan de Meij's Lord of the Rings, uncover Julie Giroux's Big Bang Theory of composing, and enter David Maslanka's source of revelation, the "other side." Composers James Curnow, Donald Grantham, Robert Jager, Pierre La Plante, Philip Sparke, Eric Whitacre, and Dana Wilson also share their stories, leading readers further down the path of musical discovery.
A valuable resource for directors at all levels, each chapter is dedicated to the experiences and works of a single composer, culminating with a complete list of repertoire by grade level. In a format that is consistent throughout, composers discuss their earliest experiences in music and their thoughts on the creative process; the approach to orchestration, conducting, and score study; the relationship between the composer and the commissioner; how to work with young composers; influential mentors, works, and composers; and the future of the wind band.
Conceived and edited by Mark Camphouse, this inspiring yet practical series gives directors a chance to go beyond the notes on the page and enter the composer's world, through his or her own words. This series provides the reader with a greater degree of understanding and respect for both the creative and re-creative processes and will ultimately contribute to a strengthening of the band profession through more thoughtful interpretations and more musically sensitive performances.