Randal Despommier is a composer and improviser who was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He began playing alto saxophone at the age of seven and began teaching himself piano at the age of thirteen. Upon receiving his undergraduate degree cum laudein saxophone performance from Loyola University of New Orleans, he was awarded two grants to study composition, choral conducting and sixteenth-century polyphony at Il Conservatorio di Perugia in Italy.
Currently, Mr. Despommier is a doctoral candidate in composition at New England Conservatory and is a student of Malcolm Peyton. He is the music director at the Boston University Catholic Church and director of the children’s chorus at St. Mary’s School in Brookline. His compositions and improvisations are influenced by gregorian chant, sixteenth-century polyphony and the music of Les Six. Other notable influences include his former teacher Luigi Zaninelli, Sessions, Ives, Carter and Mompou. Areas of research include Italian vocal polyphony from the late Renaissance, bitonality and historical improvisation.
Currently, Mr. Despommier is a doctoral candidate in composition at New England Conservatory and is a student of Malcolm Peyton. He is the music director at the Boston University Catholic Church and director of the children’s chorus at St. Mary’s School in Brookline. His compositions and improvisations are influenced by gregorian chant, sixteenth-century polyphony and the music of Les Six. Other notable influences include his former teacher Luigi Zaninelli, Sessions, Ives, Carter and Mompou. Areas of research include Italian vocal polyphony from the late Renaissance, bitonality and historical improvisation.
