Sara Carvalho was born in Porto, Portugal in 1970. She received her first musical training at the age of three and started composing when she was fourteen. In 1995 she graduated with a First Class Degree in Composition, Music and Teaching from the University of Aveiro under João Pedro Oliveira. In 1996 she was awarded an MA in Music from York University in the United Kingdom. Between 1996 and 1999 she was awarded a scholarship from the Portuguese National scheme PRAXIS XXI / JNICT to do a DPhil in Composition, also at York, studying with Nicola LeFanu. She has also studied with Emmanuel Nunes, Betsy Jolas, Kurt Schwertsik, Brian Ferneyhough, Michael Finissy, Jonathan Harvey and Roger March. Recent works include "Chimaera" for chamber orchestra, which was commissioned by the University of York Chamber Orchestra and conducted by Jacek Kaspszyk, "sounding silences" commissioned by the Cultural Center of Belém (CCB) in Lisbon, Solos III" (solo flute) commissioned by Aveiro University, Escadas com Estórias" joint comission of "Porto 2001" (European Capital of Culture) and CCB, and "nothing can both be and not be" finalist of the "2002 Alea III competition". Solos III" is one of the tracks of the CD "new music for flute, portuguese composers" (NUM1095) and the string quartet "Blows Hot and Cold" will be soon available in Portugal on CD, recorded by the Remix Ensemble. Presently she works in the Department of Art and Communication of Aveiro University where she teaches Composition, Analysis and Orchestration. Educational Qualifications 1996 2001 DPhil in Composition at the University of York (UK). 1995 / 1996 Master of Arts in Music at the University of York. 1990-1995 studied for a five year degree course in Composition, Music and Teaching at the University of Aveiro (Portugal). Qualified with First Class Degree. 1980-1990 studied Piano, Percussion and Music Theory as a member of Bando dos Gambozinos experimental music school for children. 1973-1980 began musical studies at Lumen musical school, Porto. Other Courses 2001 19th Ennis Composition Summer School Composition for Opera Course, Ireland. 1
1997 Advanced Composition Course with Kurt Schwertsik at Dartington International Summer School. 1996 Workshop with the composer Betsy Jolas at University of York. 1992 Participated in a Gulbenkian Foundation composition workshop, Lisbon, under the composer Emmanuel Nunes. 1989 Six month theatre course with Seiva Trupe (professional theatre company Porto) supervised by Cláudio Luchesi. Attended specialised courses at University of York: "Music and Film" (1995), taught by Prof. David Kershaw; "Electroacoustic Music" (1996), Prof. Ambrose Field; "Music Theatre" (1997), Prof. Roger Marsh. Teaching Experience 1999 present: Teaching Analysis, Orchestration and Composition at Aveiro University Music Dept in Portugal. 1997-1998 was responsible for the Undergraduate Composition Seminar at York University. and also taught Music Processing. 1994-1995 Attended Portuguese Secondary Teacher Training and was awarded the highest possible mark. Subjects taught include Composition, Analysis and Ear Training. 1992-1995 responsible for musical activities at the Infante D. Henrique Secondary School of Porto including coaching a student group to represent Portugal at the "Sint-Dimpnalyceum de Geel", Belgium. 1984-1990 musical teacher at several Music Schools teaching most age groups. Scholarships and Awards 2002 finalist in the "2002 Alea III competition" (Boston, USA) 1996-2000 Scholarship from Portuguese National Scholarship PRAXIS XXI / JNICT. 1997 - PRS Scholarship for Advanced Composition at 1997 Dartington International Summer School. 1996 / 1997 University of York Studentship. 1995 / 1996 University of York Bursary. 1995 Award Engenheiro António de Almeida (Foundation Engº António de Almeida) for the Best Music Graduate of that year. 2
1992 Finalist in the Portuguese Young Musician Competition. 1991-1994 Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation scholarship towards University Education. Performing Experience 07/03/97 Played percussion in "Hyperprim" (E. Varese) at the Jack Lyons Concert Hall, York, with the New Music Group. 1985-1995 Was a member of the "Orff Instrumental Group" which also recorded a CD "Lâminas". 1990-1993 Lead singer for Sara Miolo, an Environmental Education Project through the medium of music. The group performed several original shows. 1983-1990 Involved in various shows and performances entitled O Beco dos Gambozinos, music for children. 1987 participated in the recording of O Beco dos Gambozinos, music for children. Experience in Composition Premières: In 1992, the piece Máscara for flute, guitar and piano, finalist in the Portuguese Young Musician Competition and it was premièred, 08/12/95, at York University by the New Music Group (NMG). Also premièred at York by the NMG: Contornos for large ensemble (14/06/96), "Spinning Yarns" for two pianos (26/11/96), "Palavras Metade" for alto flute and baritone (13/06/97), "Blows Hot and Cold" for string quartet (04/12/98) and "Just a whisper..." ( "Chinese Whispers" for instrumental quintet was premièred at the 50th Dartington International Summer School & Festival of Music (29/09/97), with the Composers Ensemble. "Chimaera" for chamber orchestra was commissioned by the University of York Chamber Orchestra; it had its first performance on the 11th February 98, conducted by Jacek Kaspszyk. "Solos II" for marimba solo was premièred at "Jornadas Nova Música" in Aveiro (11/12/98) by Pedro Carneiro. "Trail" for 16 players was premièred at "3as Jornadas Nova Música - Aveiro '99" in Aveiro (18/12/99) conducted by Wolfgang Niessner. 3
"É-se" for instrumental quartet was premièred at London's Union Chapel (5/3/2000) as a SPNM shortlisted piece, by Lontano. "Solos III" for solo flute was premièred at the Lisbon's festival "Música Viva 2000" (13/04/2000) by Jorge Salgado Correia. "sounding silences" was commissioned by Cultural Center of Belém, it had its first performance in Lisbon on the 15/11/2000 by Metropolitan Orchestra of Lisbon, conducted by Jean Marc Burfin. Shards was premièred in Rome (17/03/2001) by Trio Dopler. Solos I was premièred by David Loyd (24/03/2001) in S. João da Madeira, Portugal. Escadas com Estórias was commissioned by Cultural Center of Belém and Porto 2001, it had its first performance in Lisbon on the 16/09/2001 by Remix Ensemble, conducted by Sarah Ionnides. Future prèmieres: nothing can both be and not be, for 14 instruments. This piece was finalist of the 2002 Alea III'S Composition Competition (USA) and it will be performed in Boston at the Tsai Performance Center on the 29 th September 2002. Pequenos nadas, for 6 percussionists. This piece it will be performed in Teatro da Trindade, Lisbon in January 2003. Piece recorded on CD "Solos III" for solo flute was recorded by Jorge Salgado Correia in the CD nova música para flauta ( new music for flute ), with pieces from portugueses composers, edited by Numérica (NUM1095). Complete list of works: "Máscara" (December 1991), for flute, piano and guitar. "Sombras, para um clarinete" (June 1992), for solo clarinet in Bb. "O ar" (December 1992), for chamber choir. "a 2" (June 1993), for 2 double basses. "Momentos" (May 1994), for chamber orchestra. "Contornos" (December 1995), for large ensemble. "Trail" (May 1996), for 15 players. "Palavras Metade" (July 1996), for alto flute and baritono. "Spinning Yarns" (September 1996), for 2 pianos. 4
"Solos I" (January 1997), for solo violin. "É-se" (May 1997), for flute, clarinet, horn e violloncelo. "Blows Hot and Cold" (June 1996, revised August 1997), for string quartet. "Chimaera" (December 1997), for chamber orchestra, dedicated to Nicola LeFanu (commission). "rock lizard" (June 1998), for brass trio (Trumpet in Bb, Horn in F and Bass Trombone) "Solos II" (June 1998) for marimba solo, dedicated to Pedro Carneiro(commission). "Just a Whisper..." (March 99), for voice, marimba and double bass (commission). "Chinese Whispers" (August 1997, revised during 99), for 2 clarinets, viola, violloncelo and double bass. "Solos III" (July 1999), for solo flute, dedicated to Jorge Salgado Correia (commission). "Trail" (reorquestrated and revised version Sept. 1999), for 16 players. "Shards" (October 1999), for 2 flutes and piano (commission). "sounding silences" (May 2000) for 14 players (commission). "Solos IV" (September 2000), for solo soprano, dedicated to Joaquina Lee. Escadas com Estórias (June 2001) for 14 players (commission). "Solos V" (August 2001) for solo guitar. nothing can both be and not be (December 2001) for 14 players. Work In Progress Pequenos Nadas for 6 percussionists (commissioned by the University of Aveiro Percussion Group); it will be premièred in January 2003. The Virgins Rape a music theatre piece. 5