Brenton Price Dutton

Dutton, Brenton Price

Brenton Price Dutton. Composer, teacher, tuba player, b Saskatoon 20 Mar 1950; B MUS (Oberlin Cons) 1975, M MUS (Oberlin Cons) 1976. He began his music studies at nine at the Regina Cons (Conservatory of Music, University of Regina). He continued his studies at the RCMT, from which he obtained a prize, and also attended the Oberlin Cons. As a tuba player, he was a member 1971-4 of the Quebec Symphony Orchestra, 1972 of the JM World Orchestra, and 1975-7 of the Cleveland Orchestra before joining the San Diego SO in 1981. He became coach of the JM World Orchestra in 1986. In 1969 he had made a Canadian solo tour for the JMC (YMC). After teaching tuba, chamber music and composition 1972-4 at Laval University and at the CMQ, 1974-6 at the Oberlin Cons, and 1976-81 at the University of Michigan, he joined the faculty at San Diego State U in 1981. He has been a member of several jurys including the Canada Council board of bursaries.

As a composer, Dutton has written works involving several compositional techniques and intended for various formations, from the single instrument (Tuba Suite, 1983) to the full orchestra (Symphonies Nos. 1, 2, 4, and 6, 1966-88), as well as for chamber ensembles (Carnival of Venice for brass quintet, 1983, recorded by the I-5 Brass Quintet on the Crystal label, S-216 and CD-200), and for band (Character Dances, 1980, and Symphony No. 5, 1984, recorded by ensembles from the University of San Diego on Good Vibrations GV-238 and GV-230 respectively). He has made use of electroacoustic means in Tedious Ways No. 3 for chorus and tape (1975). The Good Vibrations LP GV-238 also includes his song cycle Proud Music of the Storm for voice and chamber ensemble (1985), sung by the bass Jeffrey Foote. Dutton's music is noted for striking a balance between emotion and structure. By 1991, some 30 of his compositions had been published by Seesaw Music in New York, Touch of Brass in Vancouver, and Kanda Music in Toronto.