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Composer Biography

Truth into emotion. Emotion into music. Music into emotion. Emotion into truth. Done perceptively, this cycle never ends. As a writer and lover of both vocal and instrumental idioms, Daniel Elder (b. 1986) delights in crossing the boundaries of these worlds to create music that speaks outside its niche. Asked of his style, Daniel’s goal is simple: “In my writing I seek to avoid the common focus on 'my voice'—rather I attempt to tap the emotions a poet once put into words, or to tell a story with no words at all through the complex feelings of orchestral color. Through the pursuit of emotion I chase truth. The notes are merely the language.” Emerging from rural Georgia Daniel's music quickly attracted the attention of renowned American choral directors and catapulted him to the international stage within three years of writing his first work. His catalogue is printed by Carus Verlag, Edition Peters, GIA Publications, Hal Leonard, Walton Music, Wingert-Jones Publications, and self-published through J.W. Pepper and SMP Press.

Photo Gallery

free for download and promotional use

elder_piano
elder_bench
elder_walk
elder_profile
elder_smile
elder_blue
elder_brown

free use in concert programs and promotional materials

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