| the composer Gordon (Dick) Goodwin earned his doctorate in composition at the
University of Texas. His principle teachers were Kent Kennan, Hunter Johnson, J. Clifton
Williams, Anthony Donato, Lothar Kline, and Janet McGaughey. He taught composition and
theory at the University of Texas for over ten years, then in 1973 moved to the University
of South Carolina where he conducted the orchestra and served as head of the
theory-composition area. He is now Distinguished Professor Emeritus at USC.
Following the audio clips below are links to representative works grouped
by category. For a more compete listing, more information, or questions about specific
instrumentations please contact us. Perusal scores
and, in many cases, demo recordings are available upon request.
Recent commissions/compositions/premiers
- Sea Island Sketches, a four movement work for orchestra commissioned
by and premiered by The Beaufort (SC) Orchestra, Fred Devyatkin conducting, in the spring
of 2005. The Orchestra also performed Goodwin's Paraph with clarinet soloist, Doug Graham.
- Deep River, an arrangement of this spiritual classic for orchestra,
chorus, and soloist, recorded with bass-baritone Jacob Will and the Celebration Gospel
Ensemble for Columbia City Ballet's 2005 Off the Wall and Onto the Stage production
based on paintings by Jonathan Green.
- Characters, a five movement work for trombone and piano commissioned
by Dr. Brad Edwards, premiered during a Texas tour and in Columbia with pianist Winifred
Goodwin in the fall of 2004. The work will be performed again at USC on October 2nd.
- Loose Connection for saxophone quartet, commissioned by the South
Carolina Music Teachers Association and premiered at their fall 2004 meeting by the USC
School of Music Saxophone Quartet.
- Jabbo, a three movement work for flute, oboe, and cello commissioned
by the Charleston Chamber Players and premiered by them during Piccolo Spoleto 2004
(Charleston, SC).
- New Orleans Fancy for piano 4 hands, commissioned and premiered by
John and Voncile Williams in the spring of 2004.
- Music, text adapted from Plato, for band, orchestra, and chorus,
commissioned and premiered by Lexington (SC) Middle School, 2003.
- The Day of Pentecost (in two parts) for choir, organ, soloists and
woodwind quintet, commissioned by Eastminster Presbyterian Church (Donald Gray, director)
(Columbia, SC) 2003, a version of part two was done in 2005 for brass instead of woodwind
quintet.
- Flight of Freedom for alto saxophone solo and band, commissioned by
Summit Ridge Middle School (David Allison, director) performed with Jamal Rossi, soloist,
in Chicago, Nashville, and Columbia, 2002.
Other news
In 2004 Goodwin wrote two stage shows, a 50 minute program with studio orchestra, soloists
and backup singers to open the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center (stage direction by
Larry Hembree), the other to honor SC Medal of Honor winners (stage direction by James
Patterson). Goodwin served as conductor for both.
Symphony Orchestra | Choral | Symphonic Band
Chamber | Marching
Band | Film/Television |