HILARIO EXTREMIANA

Hilario Extremiana studied Harmony and Composition with Carmelo Bernaola in Vitoria, with Juan Cordero in Bilbao and with Franco Donatoni in Siena, Italy. He completed degree studies in Composition, tutored by Antón García Abril, and in Orchestra Conducting, tutored by Enrique García Asensio. He also studied clarinet and piano.

His compositions span a wide range of styles and are for diverse ensembles.

His works have been performed by numerous ensembles at national and international events in many places, including: the Basque National Orchestra; the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra chamber music program; contemporary music festivals; recitals of new Basque lyric works; the Association of Composers of the Basque Country; the Silboberri Association; the BBVA Foundation; Quincena Musical of San Sebastián; Musikaste de Renteria; Bilbao wind bands; Vitoria; Pamplona; Well Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall in New York City; the Instituto Cervantes in London; the Royal School of Music in London; Manchester; the Venezuela A Tempo festival; Conservatories in China; Bath Spa University, England; Colegio de España, and Paris.

He has received commissions from various musical institutions and numerous awards for composition, including:

First international chamber music prize for saxophone, "gran premio Comunidad de Madrid" 1991
Special mention from the jury of the Jewish Music Commission of Los Angeles (USA)
Prize from the Basque Regional Government for composition 1999 (25th anniversary of ERESBIL)
"City of Durango" Chamber Music Prize for the Txistu, organized by Berzistu-Silboberri
Kanta Berri Association prize, Bayonne (France)
Grants from composition competitions held by the Basque Government.

Also worthy of note is his work as an arranger for different ensembles and in various musical styles from classical to pop and folk. The majority of these arrangements are for wind band, either alone or with other vocal or instrumental groups.

He taught harmony and musical forms at the Superior Conservatory of Bilbao where he also conducted the Conservatory Orchestra.

He was president of the Basque-Navarre Association of Composers.

He has been principal conductor and guest conductor for numerous vocal and instrumental groups.

He is currently the principal conductor, by public examination, of the Vitoria-Gasteiz Municipal Wind Band, with which he carries out important work promoting music.