Simon Hutchinson is an American composer pursuing his PhD at the University of Oregon in Eugene. Hutchinson’s portfolio spans several genres, and many of his works integrate music of different styles and cultures, especially East Asian folk musics.
Hutchinson’s works have been performed in the US, Korea, and Japan. In 2008, his piece for Western and Korean instruments, “… of modesty and splendor” won the 1st Young Composers’ Competition of CMEK (Contemporary Music Ensemble Korea), and “The Great Peace of Gyeong-gi” for solo violin was selected as one of the pieces for the 5th Annual Sejong Music competition in November 2008. Hutchinson’s work has also been recognized by the Bates College Key Music Award (2002), ASCAP Plus Awards (2007, 2008) and a grant from the Porter College Graduate Arts Committee (2007).
Hutchinson received his BA in composition and electro-acoustic music at Bates College, studying under Professor Bill Matthews. After graduating in 2002, he moved to Northern Japan to work as a translator and teacher for the town of Towa in Iwate Prefecture. There, in 2003, Hutchinson began his study Northern Japanese folk music and the shamisen with virtuoso Satou Asao (Satou Chouei).
Hutchinson returned to the U.S. in 2005 to pursue his MA in composition at University of California, Santa Cruz. Studying under Professors Hi Kyung Kim and David Cope, he produced a number of pieces drawing on inspiration from East Asian musics, including “Ten Bulls” (2007) for string quartet and shamisen.