Sylvia Constantinidis was born in Venezuela and began her study of music at an early age in Caracas. Her music teachers in Venezuela were: Blanca Estrella de Mescoli, Modesta Bor, Abraham Abreu, Alberto Grau, María Guinand, Beatriz Bilbao, Luis Felipe Ramón y Rivera and Isabel Aretz. She continued her studies in Paris at the Ecole Martenot and the Sorbonne university in Paris. She worked as a pianist in Venezuela, playing with orchestras and touring, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and Music [2] at the Central University of Venezuela (or Universidad Central de Venezuela, UCV, in Spanish). In the 1990s, she graduated with a Masters in Piano Performance and later obtained a second Master in Music Theory and Composition, both degrees from the University of Miami, USA. She also has a Diploma of Advanced Graduate Studies in Music from Boston University, USA.[3] Later, she studied composition with Ladislav Kubík in the Czech Republic, and with Malcolm Singer in England.
Career
Constantinidis began composing at an early age, and is a prolific composer. Her music has been played and broadcast internationally. Besides grants and fellowships, she received The Music Note Award 2003 for her three children's operas Lincoln, Ponce de Leon, and The First Thanks Giving premiered in Florida (USA) also awarded with the "Educator of Note Award 2003" by the “Ethel and W. George Kennedy Family Foundation”, and the Young Patronesses of the Opera, the Florida Grand Opera. The ASCAP Plus Award for Concert Music in 2009 and 2010. She is active as a conductor of youth orchestra and serves as artistic director of the Omorfia Contemporary Ensemble and the Southeast Composers Chamber Orchestra. Constantinidis teaches at colleges and universities, and is an advocate for music education. She has served as President of the Southeast Chapter of NACUSA (National Association of Composers of The United States of America).
Prizes and honors
Constantinidis list of grants, and awards include:
Artist-in-residence -"Fundacion Artistas Por La Paz" -Venezuelan Foundation, 2016.[4]
ISCM-World New Music Days South-Korea; Venezuelan Delegate, 2016
ISCM-World New Music Days Slovenia; Venezuelan Delegate, 2015
ISCM-World New Music Days Poland; Venezuelan Delegate, 2014
ISCM-World New Music Days Kosice, Bratislava, Vienna; Venezuelan Delegate, 2013
ASCAP-PLUS award –Concert Music-, ASCAP, 2010
ASCAP-PLUS award –Concert Music-, ASCAP, 2009
International Award: ERM Media, Masterworks of the New Era Recording Series, Volume 14, Jan 2007.
"Excellence in Teaching Practices Award", Miami Dade College, Learning Innovations, April 2007.
Golden Apple Grant, Miami Dade College, May 2005.
"Dean’s List", Frost School of Music, University of Miami, 2005.
Scholarship: University of Miami, Music Theory and Composition Program, Fall 2004-Fall 2007.
"Dean's List", Frost School of Music, University of Miami, 2004.
Grant: The Education Fund, Opera Adventure Project Dissemination, May 2004.
"Educator of Note Award 2003", Music Educator of the Year Award, “Ethel and W. George Kennedy Family Foundation” and the Young Patronesses of the Opera, the Florida Grand Opera. For creatively motivating and inspiring young children in the field of music education, promoting the Opera field and the creation of Three Children Operas (original composition works), 2003.
Grant Participant, START GRANT, The Washington Department of Education. Music and Technology, Nov.2001-Jan. 2003.
Grant: "THE EDUCATION FUND" Opera Adventure Project Dissemination, May 2002.
Grant, "THE EDUCATION FUND" Opera Adventure Project, Jan 2001.
Grant -MDCPS Conductor, String Youth Orchestra Program, Nov. 1999.
Artist in Residence Grant: Consejo Nacional de la Cultura CONAC, Venezuela, 1993.
Artist in Residence Grant: Consejo Nacional de la Cultura CONAC, Venezuela, 1992.
"Dean’s List", Frost School of Music, University of Miami, 1992.
Scholarship: "Paloma O’Shea", Santander, Spain, Piano Master Classes, 1992.
Scholarship: "TCU/ Cliburn Piano Institute", Fort Worth, Texas, Summer Master Classes, tuition, 1992.
Scholarship: "Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho"., Venezuela, Graduate Studies: Master, Full Tuition, 1991-1993.
Scholarship: "Canford Summer Music Festival", England, tuition scholarship, 1991.
Scholarship: "Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho"., Venezuela, Undergraduate studies, full tuition.
Works
Constantinidis composes for orchestra, chamber ensemble, theater and film scores. Selected works include:
Rubi n Stone, Op. 69, for orchestra, 2009
Pierrot et Colombine, Op. 68, Concerto for violin, marimba and orchestra, 2009
Bomarzo, Op. 67, Concerto for cello and orchestra, 2010
Schönheit, Op. 66, for piano solo, 2009
Fiddeling Suite, Op. 65, for string orchestra, 2010
Medusa, Op. 64, for flute and manipulated sources, 2009
Cantos de Espanha, Concerto for harpsichord and orchestra, Op. 63, 2008-9
Nostalgia, Concerto for piano and orchestra, Op 62, 2006-9
Suite Apartaderos, Op. 61, for clarinet and piano, 2008
Suite Margaritenha, Op. 60, for clarinet and piano, 2008
French Songs Cycle, Op. 59, for voice and piano, 2005-9
Tango, Op. 55, for cello and piano, 2008
Retablos, Op. 54, for violin and marimba, 2007
Treize Études, Op. 53, for orchestra, 2006-7
Études de Concert, Op. 52, for cello and piano, 2007
Études de Concert, Op. 51, for piano
Density, Op. 50, Etudes for two pianos, 2007
Sonatina for Joy, Op. 49, for piano, 2007
Alleluhia, Op. 48, for choir and orchestra, 2007
Prelude and Toccata, Op. 47, for piano, 2006
Visions, Op. 46, for Clarinet and String Quartet, 2006
Lunette, Op. 45, for Clarinet, Violin, Viola, Cello, Marimba and Piano, 2006
Amaranta Suite, Op 44, for two pianos, 2006
Suite a Deaux, Op. 43, for cello and piano, 2005-6
Fugue a Deaux, Op. 39 for flute, two violins and Cello, 2005
Resonance, Op. 38, for piano solo, 2005
Heraclium, Op. 37, for chamber ensemble, 2006
Lunch Break, Op. 36, for chamber ensemble, 2006
Rubi & Stone, Op. 35, for flute, oboe, clarinet in Bb, French horn, bassoon, 2 violins, viola and cello, 2005
Variations on a Twelve-Tone Row, Op. 34, for 2 flutes, clarinet in Bb, French horn and bassoon, 2005
Imaya's Miserere, Op. 33, for choir and orchestra, 2004
Scenes, Op. 32, for woodwind quintet, 2004
El Yaguarey, Op. 31, for clarinet in Bb, cello and piano, 2004
Amaranta, Op. 30, for woodwind quintet and Piano, 2004
Walimai, Op. 29, Symphonic Poem for orchestra, 2004
Rejoice, Op. 28, for flute and string orchestra, 2003
Christmas Jambouree, op. 27, for bells, flute and string orchestra, 2003
Tocatta Amazonica, Op. 26, for piano, 2003
Fandango, Op. 25, for orchestra, 2003
Dance of the Butterflies, Op. 24, for string orchestra, 2002
Rubi n Stone, Op. 23, for piano, 2002
Sunrise, Op. 22, for viola and piano, 2002
The First Thanks Giving, Op 21, Children Opera, 2002-3
Ponce de Leon, Op. 20, Children Opera, 2001-2
Lincoln, Op. 19, Children Opera, 2000-1
Music for Strings, Op. 18, for string orchestra, 2001-2
Suite Tipica, Op. 17, for string orchestra, 2001
Suite Indigena, Op. 16, for string orchestra, 2000-1
Spanish Rhapsodie, Op. 15, for orchestra, 2000
Latin Rhapsodie, Op. 14, for orchestra, 2000
Impressions, Op. 13, for piano solo, 1999
Sonatine No.1, Op. 12, for piano solo, 1999
Suite Infantil, Op. 11, for piano solo, 1997
Impresiones de Colores, Op. 10, for orchestra, 1995
Valses Criollos, Op. 9, for piano solo, 1990
Variaciones Folkloricas, Op. 8, for piano solo, 1989
Arreglos Corales, Op. 7, for choir, 1988
Piano Etudes, Op. 6, for piano solo, 1984-7
Misa Antigua, Op. 5, for voices, 1984-6
Piano Miniatures, Op. 4, for piano, 1983-5
Books
Constantinidis, MariaSilvia Castillo, "Treize Etudes Pour L'Orchestre" (2008). Open Access Theses. 137.[5] Pdf. [6] Retrieved January 4, 2017.
Constantinidis, Sylvia (2012). "Space and Time Continuity: On My 13 Etudes Pour L'Orchestre." Publisher: LAP Lambert Academic Publishing AG & Co. KG, Germany. 2012 / ISBN 978-3848427086
"Start Method", a collection of educational materials for piano, strings, voice, solfege, music theory and ear-training.
Articles
Constantinidis, Sylvia. "La Contemporaneidad en la Obra Para Piano de Antonio Estevez." Revista Cultural Carohana No. 20, June 1, 2016. Universidad Pedagogica Experimental Libertador, Barquisimeto, Venezuela. [7] Pdf. P. 46-49. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
Constantinidis, Sylvia. "Mozart, Cervantes and The Greek Satire". Polygon. Volume 1, Issue 1. Electronic publication of the Liberal Arts and Sciences Department, Miami-Dade College, Hialeah Campus, Florida, USA. January, 2006.
Editor
Constantinidis, Sylvia. Founder & Senior Editor in Chief. "Polygon". First Issue. Volume 1, Issue 1. An electronic publication of the Liberal Arts and Sciences Department, Miami-Dade College, Hialeah Campus, Florida, USA. January, 2006. [8] Retrieved January 23, 2017.
[11]"La Literatura Pianistica de Salon de Federico S. Villena: Una Manifestacion del Eclecticismo Musical de Venezuela durante el Siglo XIX". UCV: Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela. 1987.
[12]"Research Recital Paper: Piano Music of Mozart, Beethoven, Schumann, Mignone, Prokofiev". University of Miami, May 1993.
"Federico S. Villena: Musica Para Piano de Salon". Pianist: Sylvia Constantinidis. UCV. Tesis "La Musica Para Piano de Salon de Federico S. Villena: Una Manifestacion del Eclecticismo Musical de Venezuela en el Siglo XIX". Caracas, Venezuela. July 1987. [13]
2007
Work: "Macondo Poems" for Woodwind Quintet by Sylvia Constantinidis. CD: "Masterworks yof The New Era Vol.14", ERM Media Label. Jan 2007.[14] [15]
2012
"Sylvia Par Elle-Même" CD of Piano Music composed and performed by Sylvia Constantinidis. Guinima Media Label. USA, 2012.[16]
2013
"Venezuela XIX: Danzas. Musica Para Piano de Salon". Pianist: Sylvia Constantinidis. Coleccion Latinoamericana. Guinima Media Label. USA, 2013.[17]
2015
Work: "Visions" for Chamber Orchestra, Prepared Digital SoundTrack and Alleatory Audience Participation by Sylvia Constantinidis. Recorded live at the "Flamingo International Festival of Contemporary Music 2010" with the "Secco Sinfonietta" conducted by Sylvia Constantinidis. CD: "Synthesis No. 2." by Urban Arts Berlin Label. Berlin, Germany. 2015.[18]
2016
"Song of Peace". A CD of LatinAmerican Classical Piano Music. Pianist Sylvia Constantinidis. Fundacion Artistas por La Paz. Guinima Media Label. USA. 2016.[19]
"Alberto Ginastera Centennial". Pianist: Sylvia Constantinidis. XIX Festival Latinoamericano de Musica Contemporanea -Sponsor-. Guinima Media Label. USA.2016.[20]
Lectures
"The Opera Adventure" 12Th Annual Impact II Idea Expo Conference: Ideas for Educators". The Education Fund. Miami, USA. Nov. 3, 2001.
[21] "The Opera Adventure".13Th Annual Impact II Idea Expo Conference: Ideas for Educators. The Education Fund. Miami, USA. Nov. 9, 2002. Retrieved Jan 7, 2017.
[22]"The Opera Adventure: Integrating Opera in the Classroom. A Multidisciplinary Approach". Young Patronesses of the Opera/ MDCPS: Annual Conference-Workshop for Music Educators". Miami, USA. Oct. 2002. Retrieved Jan 7, 2017.
"Hispanic Art & Music of the XIX and XX Century". International Festival of The Arts. Miami Dade College. USA. Nov. 2, 2004.
"Culture and Culture Shock". Miami Dade College. USA. Feb. 8, 2005.
"Jews Artists: Life, Work and Survival During World War ll" Holocaust Remembrance Week Series. Miami Dade College. USA. March 28–31, 2005.
"I Never Saw Another Butterfly: Poetry and Writings from the Concentration Camps". Holocaust Remembrance Week Series. Miami Dade College. USA. April 13, 2005.
"Ethiopian Jewry". Lecture followed by concert by the 'Bahalachin Tradition Ensemble' from Ethiopia. Miami Dade College. USA. Sept. 15, 2005.
"Music of the United States". Constitution Day Series. Miami Dade College. USA. Sept. 22, 2005.
"Latin American Visual Arts and Classical Music". Hispanic Heritage Month. Miami Dade College. Oct. 18, 2005
"What Is Culture?". MDC International Festival of The Arts. Miami Dade College. USA. Nov. 7, 2005.
"The Aesthetics of Western Art and Music". MDC International Festival of The Arts. Miami Dade College. USA. Nov. 8, 2005.
"LatinAmerican Modern Art". MDC International Festival of The Arts. Miami Dade College. USA. Nov. 10, 2005.
[23]"African-American Women Musicians". Black History Month Series. Miami Dade College. Miami, USA. Feb 21, 2006. Retrieved Jan. 23, 2017.
[24]"Jazz Roots". Black History Month Series. Miami Dade College. Miami, USA. Feb 27, 2006. Retrieved Jan. 23, 2017.
[25]"Learning about Global Citizenship: An Approach for The Humanities, Music and The Fine Arts Curriculum". Miami Dade College Conference Day. Miami, USA. March 2, 2006. Retrieved Jan. 23, 2017.
[26]"The Mural Project: Applied Arts in the Humanities Curriculum".Miami Dade College Conference Day. Miami, USA. March 2, 2006. Retrieved Jan. 23, 2017.
"Latin-American Women Composers: Lecture-Recital". MDC Women's History Month. Miami Dade College. USA. March 30, 2006.
"Macondo Poems: A Portrait of Surrealism and Descriptive Nationalism in Contemporary Music". Prague Conservatory of Music. Czech Republic. July 9, 2006.
[27]"Piano Latinoamericano : Lecture Recital". College of Music Society National Conference. CMS Fund. San Antonio, Texas, USA. Sept. 2006.
"Hispanic Women in Music: Lecture Recital". Hispanic Heritage Month. Miami Dade College. USA. Oct. 17 & 18, 2006.
"Introducing Culture Throughout Music". MDC International Festival of The Arts. Miami Dade College. USA. Nov. 8, 2006.
[28][29]"Music, Humanities and Mathematics: Mathematics Across the Curriculum". Miami Dade College Conference Day. Miami, USA. March 1. 2007. Retrieved Jan. 23, 2017.
[30]"Music Education in Venezuela from the Colonial Period to the Present". Latin America Music Seminar. University of London. London, UK. May 17, 2008. Retrieved Jan 9, 2017.
"Musically Induced Higher Brain Functions Development". MEA / BU Regional Seminar. Music Education Dept. Boston University. Savannah Georgia, USA. Jan. 28, 2009.
[31]"La SVMC en el Siglo XXI: Vision, Plan y Desarrollo". (Presenters: MariaNela Arocha Bernal & Sylvia Constantinidis). IV Congreso de Composicion Musical. XVII Festival Latinoamericano de Musica Contemporanea. Caracas, Venezuela. Mayo 23, 2012. Retrieved Jan. 10, 2017.
"Trends and Explorations of Venezuelan Contemporary Music". Italian-American Contemporary Music Festival. Conservatorio della Musica. Citta di Castello, Italy. July 2012.
[32]"The SVMC and The Venezuelan Contemporary Music Scene". ISCM WMD 2015 Conference. Slovenia. Sept. 30, 2015.
Literature
"Sylvia Constantinidis: Visions (2006)" en Capitulo 4: "Uso de Referentes Culturales en la Msica Electroacustica en la Primera Decada del Siglo XXI: El Caso de Venezuela." de la Thesis Doctoral: Rojas Ramírez, Y. (2015). PhD Thesis "Mestizaje Cultural y Nacionalismo en la Musica Electroacustica Iberoamericana de la Primera Decada del Siglo XXI : El Caso Concreto de Venezuela" [Tesis doctoral no publicada. Universitat Politècnica de València. España.doi:10.4995/Thesis/10251/53566. Pp : 11, 210, 214, 250-253, 272, 321, 325, 350, 352, 360. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
Miranda, Ricardo y Tello, Aurelio. (2011). "La Musica en Latinoamerica : La Busqueda Perpetua : lo propio y lo universal de la cultura latinoamericana." Secretaria de Relaciones Exteriores. Direccion General del Acervo Historico Diplomatico. Mexico.[33]. Pp 279. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
Pinto, Juan C. (2012). "Sylvia Constantinidis" in : "Art Music of Venezuela". Blog. Oct 5, 2012.[34]. Retrieved January 10, 2017.
"Sylvia Constantinidis". Score Magazine. University of Miami. Coral Gables, USA. May 2012.[35].
"NoteWorthy". Notations Magazine. Canadian Music Center. Spring 2013, Vol. 20, no. 1: pp. 8. Toronto, ON, Canada. May, 2013.[36] Retrieved February 1, 2017.
Citations
[37]"Texturalismus". (Bibliographic citation: "Maria Silvia Castillo Constantinidis – Treize études pour l'orchestre. PDF bei Scholary Repository, Miami")
