Faye-Ellen Silverman

Faye-Ellen Silverman is an American composer whose works draw inspiration from a variety of sources, including her Jewish heritage. Some of her works, such as A Free Pen, have evolved from her commitment to free speech. Her decades of working with the International Women’s Brass Conference have led to the creation of several works for brass instruments. While many of her compositions are for solo, chamber and vocal genres, she also enjoys writing for choir, orchestra, and other large medium.

Over 100 of her works are published by SeesawMusic/Subito Music Corp. and are recorded on several labels. At age 13 she won the Parents League composition contest, judged by Leopold Stokowski, resulting in her Carnegie Hall debut. She is the first woman to receive a D.M.A. in music composition from Columbia University. She has taught at many institutions, including the Juilliard School (Extension), NYU, the Mannes School of Music, Goucher College, the Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University, and Columbia University. She has lectured in Europe (including at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw and the Lithuanian Composers Union) and throughout the United States. Dr. Silverman is also the author of several articles, record reviews for The Baltimore Sun, and the 20th century section of the Schirmer History of Music. She currently serves as Board Secretary for New York Women Composers.