Wayne Horvitz

Wayne Horvitz is a composer, pianist and electronic musician who has performed extensively throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America. He is the leader of Zony Mash, Pigpen, and The Four plus One Ensemble,  and co-founder of the New York Composers Orchestra. Film work includes music and sound design for 3 PBS specials and Gus Van Sants’ Psycho.  While in residence he and writer Paul Magid developed music and text on the subject of Industrial Workers of the World songwriter and labor martyr, Joe Hill. 16 Actions for Orchestra explores the dynamic nature of the time from around the turn of the 20th century through Hill’s execution in November of 1915. Hill’s songs, written for labor struggles that took place all over the west coast at that time, have become standards among unions and laborers worldwide. 16 Actions for Orchestra premiered October 30th, 2004 at the University of Washington’s Meany Hall, and was the subject of a March 2006 AllThings Considered episode on NPR.