Ellsworth Milburn

Ellsworth Milburn is professor emeritus of composition and theory in the Shepherd School of Music, Rice University.

As a composer, Milburn has received 4 grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and commissions or performances from the Houston Symphony, the Concord and Lark string quartets, and the Da Camera Society. Milburn’s music has been described by critics as craggy, colorful, romantic, aggressive, searing, sweetly poignant, overwhelming, thrilling, powerful, wickedly funny, eloquent, brilliant, raging, and engaging.

“The selection of Ellsworth Milburn as the 2006 featured composer was widely supported by the music faculty,” says Dr. Charles Argersinger, professor of composition and creator of the festival. “I believe his compositions will receive broad favor with art music fans in eastern Washington. Milburn’s string quartets have been described as among the finest in contemporary literature.”