Saad Haddad is a composer of orchestral, chamber, vocal, and electroacoustic music who achieves a “remarkable fusion of idioms” (New York Times), most notably in his work exploring the disparate qualities inherent in Western art music and Middle Eastern musical tradition. His music delves into that relationship by transferring the performance techniques of traditional Arab instruments to Western symphonic instruments, while extending their capabilities through the advancement of technology.

As YCA’s 2019-2021 Young Concert Artists Composer-in-Residence, Mr. Haddad has two YCA commissions to be premiered this season by Young Concert Artists pianist Aristo Sham and saxophonist Steven Banks at their respective debuts on the Young Concert Artists Series.

Mr. Haddad’s orchestral works have been performed widely abroad and by U.S. orchestras including the Minnesota Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, American Composers Orchestra, Chicago Composers Orchestra, Kaleidoscope Chamber Orchestra, and most recently by the Princeton Symphony’s premiere of his Clarinet Concerto for Kinan Azmeh.

Multiple award winner, Mr. Haddad’s most recent distinctions include the Charles Ives Fellowship from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, Barlow Endowment General Commission, and the S&R Foundation Washington Award Grand Prize. He has been in residence at the Millay Colony for the Arts, Ucross Foundation, Bogliasco Foundation, Studios of Key West, Soundstreams Composer Workshop, and Luzerne Music Center.

Born in the state of Georgia and raised in California, Saad Haddad holds degrees in composition from The Juilliard School and the University of Southern California, where his principal teachers included John Corigliano, Mari Kimura, Bruce Broughton, Frank Ticheli, Stephen Hartke, and Donald Crockett. He currently serves as a Dean’s Fellow at Columbia University.

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YCA represents composer Saad Haddad for worldwide engagements. Please contact us for more information.