Music of Philip Thompson

A classically trained composer with an ongoing fascination for popular culture, Philip Thompson composes music for chamber ensembles, orchestra, electroacoustic events, and occasionally, online games.

Most recently Thompson's music has been heard on Pittsburgh's U3 Festival (new music by composers from Pitt, Duquesne, and Carnegie Mellon Universities), Prog Rockers for MOTE (a benefit concert for Pitt's Music on the Edge series), Sewickley United Methodist Church, the Listening Chamber at Grand Valley State University (Michigan), and, more or less continuously on Qlique, the next generation social networking software. Thompson's music reflects his interest in influences as diverse as Messiaen, Bill Evans, djembe drumming, and the baroque doctrine of affections, all blended into a very personal style.

Thompson was born in Baltimore where he received his early musical training through Peabody Conservatory's preparatory school, studying trombone and composition. He completed his undergraduate work at Oberlin Conservatory and received his MA and PhD in composition and theory from the University of Pittsburgh. Thompson has served as adjunct faculty at Seton Hill University, the University of Pittsburgh, and Chatham University teaching courses in music theory, appreciation, and technology. He now lives in Pittsburgh's Lawrenceville neighborhood with is wife and two children.



A classically trained composer with an ongoing fascination for popular culture, Philip Thompson composes music for chamber ensembles, orchestra, electroacoustic events, and occasionally, online games. Most recently Thompson's music has been heard on Pittsburgh's U3 Festival (new music by composers from Pitt, Duquesne, and Carnegie Mellon Universities), Prog Rockers for MOTE (a benefit concert for Pitt's Music on the Edge series), Sewickley United Methodist Church, the Listening Chamber at Grand Valley State University (Michigan), and, more or less continuously on Qlique, the next generation social networking software. Thompson's music reflects his interest in influences as diverse as Messiaen, Bill Evans, djembe drumming, and the baroque doctrine of affections, all blended into a very personal style. Thompson was born in Baltimore where he received his early musical training through Peabody Conservatory's preparatory school, studying trombone and composition. He completed his undergraduate work at Oberlin Conservatory and received his MA and PhD in composition and theory from the University of Pittsburgh. Thompson has served as adjunct faculty at Seton Hill University, the University of Pittsburgh, and Chatham University teaching courses in music theory, appreciation, and technology. He now lives in Pittsburgh's Lawrenceville neighborhood with is wife and two children.