CV

Irene Becker, pianoplayer, composer
Born 30/3 1951 in Aalborg, DK

Education:
Studies in composition with  Bob Brookmeyer at The Rhytmic Music Conservatory,  Copenhagen, 1998;
MA in music, degree earned at the Department of Musicology at University of Copenhagen 1981
Creative Music Studio, Woodstock, New York 1980;

Works:                                                                                                                                                                      

Has composed songs, choir pieces, music for smaller and larger ensembles, big band, film music, documentary film music for television programs, jingles, and theatre music.Has composed for a number of different ensembles, including: Den Skandinaviske Blæserkvintet, Wærmekvartetten, Figura-ensemblet, Den Danske Saxofonkvartet, Vokalgruppen Ars Nova, New Music Orchestra, Copenhagen Art Ensemble, New Jungle Orchestra, Povl Dissing, Toneart Ensemble.

Has been working in collaboration with  authors as: Vagn Lundbye (“Dyrefabler/ZooSange”, ”Sange fra Den Kvindelige Saga”), Ib Michael (“Troubadurens Lærling” and “Tibet-digte”),Ulla Ryum, Dan Turell, Suzanne Brøgger, Lars Skinnebach.

Composed the opening-ceremony music for “En Verden af Stemmer”, which premiered at the Kulturolympiaden in August 2001 in Næstved, in collaboration with Sille Grønberg. The music was performed by singers from the Bulgarian choir going by the name “Le Mystère des voix Bulgares”, the Italian vocal quartet, “Tenores di Bitti” and the Danish-Ethiopian singer, Maryam Mursal.

Has written music for a choir piece entitled “Koret, Portræt af Århus Festuge 2006”, for mixed choir, which accompanied a video installation created by Sine Bang Nielsen, for the “Kønspektakler” exhibition presented during Århus Festival 2006; the work was performed by the Akademisk Kor Århus.

Ensembles:                                                                                                                                                             Dørge Becker Carlsen & Aviaja Lumholt 2015-
Pierre Dørges New Jungle Orchestra since 1980-
Trioen Dørge-Becker-Carlsen since 1980,                                                                                                         Same Tribe –  with Dawda Jobarteh, Jullie Hjetland, Pierre Dørge, Ayi Solomon  2015-                            Saga Kvartet  -with Betty Arendt, Pierre Dørge, Soma Allpass 2014-
Julle Hjetland, Irene Becker, Benita Haastrup
Danish-chinese trio XONG 2005-, Danish-Vietnamese Trio Xong- 2012-
Færd + Dørge, Becker & Hjetland 2007-
Det danske statsensemble New Jungle Orchestra 1993-96
Kvartetten Thermænius 1978-80
Kvinderockgruppen Hos Anna 1975-80
Caracas 1976-77
Københavns Pigeavantgarde 81-82
Marilyn Mazurs Primiband 79-80

Study trips to  Bali, Gambia, Ghana, Sydafrika, Kina, Japan, Sibirien, USA, Grønland, Vietnam

Since 2016 Irene Becker has received as a composer  a Lifetime grant from The Danish Arts Foundation.

Lecturer at  Department of Musicology at University of Copenhagen 1996 – 2015
Teacher at Performance  Design at Roskilde University
Teacher at the Rhythmic Muusic Conservatory 1995-2003
Lecturer in music at Rødovre Gymnasium 1981-93
Workshops in composition  and  improvisation  on music conservatoriesr and schools in  Denmark and abroad.

Trusts and memberships:
Member of UNESCOs nationalcommission 2008-2016
Menmber of  NOMUS, Nordic Musicommittee 2005-06
Chairperson of  the Composers Committee in the Danish Arts Foundation 2002-04
Member of The Danish Music Council 1995-99
Næstformand i spillestedsforeningen” Kanten” 2001-2002;
Member of Kthe composers organization  Toneart
Member of the composers collective  ”Skræp” 1990-