Composer and pianist William McClelland
was born in Detroit and grew up near Goodison, Michigan. Acclaimed by Donald Rosenberg
in Gramophone Magazine for his "vivd music," "appealingly direct manner
of expression" and "fertile contrapuntal imagination," McClelland
writes a wide variety of music in many styles and forms. Albany Records recently
released The Revenge of Hamish, a recording of his choral works performed by William
Appling Singers & Orchestra under the direction of William Apping.McClelland's music has been performed and commissioned by organizations throughout North America, and he has been the recipient of grants from Meet the Composer, ASCAP, the Copland Fund, Massachusetts Council on the Arts, and others. McClelland has collaborated as composer on a number of works with author Ian Frazier as well as projects with Russian artists Komar & Melamid.
As a performer McClelland gives frequent concerts with his wife, soprano Jean McClelland, in programs of classic American theater songs. He has played keyboards for productions at the New York Shakespeare Festival, Theatre for the New City, and has premiered works by John Cage, Carl Ruggles, David Patterson, and other composers. He has conducted choral groups and been musical director for theater productions in New York City and Massachusetts and has served on the piano faculty of the University of Massachusetts (Boston), and the Elizabeth Seeger School (NYC). For many years, he has also been the leader of a swing/jazz ensemble, The Feetwarmers.