Eric Sessler's works have been premiered throughout the United States and he has received numerous awards, including the ASCAP Foundation Award, the Charles E. Ives Scholarship from the American Academy of Arts & Letters, the Theodore Presser Music Foundation Award and grants from American Composers Forum, Meet the Composer and the Philadelphia Music Project.
He has received commissions from the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Astral Artists, the Boyd/ Goluses Duo and Music Group of Philadelphia, among others. His compositions have been played by leading virtuoso performers including flutist Jeffrey Khaner, organist Alan Morrison, guitarist Jason Vieaux, and the duo of flutist Bonita Boyd and guitarist Nicholas Goluses. Eric Sessler’s music is recorded on ACA Digital Recording, New Focus Recordings and Musicaphon Records [Distributed by Qualiton Imports, Ltd.] and published by Silver Sun Press and Les Productions d’OZ.
Dr. Sessler is a graduate of The Curtis Institute of Music and The Juilliard School, having studied composition with Samuel Adler, David Diamond and Ned Rorem. He teaches at The Curtis Institute of Music and The Juilliard School, Pre-College.
“Sessler's compositional style reveals a master's knowledge of string instruments' colors and capabilities.”
Ken Keuffel Jr., Philadelphia Inquirer
“Sessler is interested in something much more subtle and instinctive, reflecting meaning in his music the way composers like Britten and Faure were able to do so well in their vocal music.”
Peter Dobrin, Philadelphia Inquirer
