Boise Philharmonic Showcase
Listen to Jim talk about his process and his journey to create his latest piece 'Fanfare of Hope and Freedom'
ABOUT
Jim Cockey was born in Baltimore, Maryland, but has spent most of his life in Idaho. He holds a composition degree from the University of Oregon where he studied with Homer Keller and Hal Owen. He has received numerous grants, commissions and honors, including a gold album for his work with members of the Moody Blues, and the Idaho Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts. Commissions include works for the Boise Philharmonic, Billings Symphony, Carson City Symphony, Boise Baroque Orchestra, Idaho Department of Education, Hammerhead Consort, Jen Drake, Bill Quist, Keith Young, Bunting Dance, Idaho Dance Theatre, Langroise Trio, Darkwood Consort, and the Hyde Park Chamber Players. For the Composers Forum’s Continental Harmony project, Jim Cockey was the only musician chosen to head two projects simultaneously: conducting the McCall Chamber Orchestra and composing a work for the Carson City Symphony. In April of 2008, Mr. Cockey was selected by Maestro James Ogle to compose a special work in honor of Maestro Ogle’s 20 years of service with the Boise Philharmonic. The Gift of the Elk, a Suite for Native American Flute and Orchestra was premiered by Grammy nominee Joseph FireCrow and the Cape Cod Symphony Orchestra in April of 2010. “Ithica,” as performed by the Langroise Trio, was aired on NPR’s Performance Today.
Jim Cockey is not your typical textbook composer. His North End bungalow, much like his appearance, is haphazardly pieced together, with wooden floors, drooping unlit candles and well-worn couches. He settles into an old armchair and his black cat rubs affectionately at his hiking boots. Through his graying moustache, he lets out an infectious laugh.
–TaraMorgan,
The Boise Weekly
CONTACT
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
"My advice to you is to remember the name Jim Cockey. I think you’ll start hearing it a lot from now on."
— Paul Shoemaker,
Musicweb International