Short Bio
Killian Elbers (1993) is a composer, conducter and multi-instrumentalist born in Rotterdam. Elbers has a bachelor’s degree with honours in Composition and Music Production at the Utrecht University of the Arts (HKU). He recently acquired his Master’s degree in Music Composition at the same university and is currently active as an autonomous composer for (vocal) ensembles and as a conductor for amateur percussion group Lichtgeraakt and amateur adult pop choir as well as youth pop choir Bombary.
His works have been positively received by numerous ensembles. His latest piece, “Hertz, Mund, Tat, Leben.“, premiered in December 2018.
Long Bio
Born in Rotterdam, The Netherlands in 1993, Killian Elbers is a Dutch composer and conducter who is currently active composing for small ensembles, conducting his three ensembles Slagwerkensemble Lichtgeraakt and the youth and adult Pop Choir Bombary. Elbers studied Composition and Music Production at the Music and Technology department of the University of the Arts Utrecht (the HKU) getting a bachelors degree with honours in Composition & Music Production. Recently he finished his Masters degree as Master of Music. Also at the HKU. During his time on the HKU, Elbers got lot of experience writing music for small ensembles such as choirs, chamber ensembles and also writing music for video games.
His music is a result of what he can play and his playing is a result of what he wants to compose. Starting off as a drummer and percussion player when he was eight years old. Over the years he has picked up several other instruments such as the acoustic steel string guitar, the clarinet and, since the last couple of years, his own voice as a singer. All contributing to his compositional voice.
The style in which Elbers writes is depicted by it's simplicity and tranquil atmospheres using dissonant harmonies, lyrical melodies all within a modal and tonal context. However, sometimes his music can be frantic and up-beat really showing his love for video games. Gaining inspiration from a vast array composers like Jeremy Soule and Ralph Vaughan Williams, Eric Whitacre and dozens of video games Elbers blends all these together forming his own compositional voice.
With his interest in technology and contemporary classical music Elbers has, on occasion, incorporated technology into his compositions. Using it in a way to make classical music and performing more interesting for the audience as well as the performers. Examples of this are ‘KLOE’ (premiered in March 2016), a video game for woodwinds which is supposed to be played live in front of an audience, and one of his most recent endeavours where he’s co-written ‘A Unification of Worlds’ (premiered June 2017), a piece for orchestra, choir and the smartphones of the audience.
