Born in Winnipeg, Canada, Sydney Hodkinson (January 17, 1934 – January 10, 2021) led an impressive career in conducting, composition, and music education, having received a bachelor’s and master’s of music from the Eastman School of Music, and a doctorate of musical arts from the University of Michigan in 1968.

Upon his return to Eastman as a faculty member in 1973, Hodkinson conducted the school’s Musica Nova ensemble and Kilbourn Orchestra. His distinguished 55-year teaching career also included posts at the Universities of Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, Southern Methodist and Rochester, and visiting professorships at Western Ontario, Oberlin, Indiana, and Duke Universities before accepting the Almand Chair of Composition at Stetson University in 2004. For 15 years, Hodkinson also served as Composer-in-Residence and faculty conductor at Colorado’s Aspen Music Festival and School for fifteen years. 

In 2012, Hodkinson was awarded the Bolcom Extended Residency in Composition from the University of Michigan. Earlier awards include those from the National Institute of Arts and Letters, Guggenheim Foundation, Canada Council, National Endowment for the Arts, and the Ford Foundation. 

Hodkinson’s first album with Navona Records, SHIFTING TREKS, debuted in 2013, displaying a variety of contrasting themes and orchestral flavors. His second release came a year later with his Piano Concerto No. 1 featured on FINE MUSIC VOL 5. Shortly after, Hodkinson released A KEYBOARD ODYSSEY, an album exploring the versatility and spirit of both the piano and organ through the composer’s perceptive style. 

Throughout his lifetime, Hodkinson composed over 250 works, covering a wide array of genres including educational literature, chamber arrangements, and large orchestral pieces.

News

March 17, 2021

We Remember: Conductor & Composer Sydney Hodkinson

Albums

Sydney Hodkinson: Chamber Works

Release Date: February 10, 2023
Catalog Number: NV6498
21st Century
Chamber
String Quartet
Throughout his lifetime, composer Sydney Hodkinson wrote over 250 works, covering a wide array of genres including educational literature, chamber arrangements, and large-scale orchestral pieces. SYDNEY HODKINSON: CHAMBER WORKS from Navona Records brings four live recordings of the late composer’s string quartets and a trio, Rogatio Gravis, to life with performances from the Benda Quartet and the Jupiter Quartet. With works written in dedication to family members, loved ones, and friends, this posthumous release serves as a perfect parting gift from Hodkinson — a musical display of his compositional prowess and kindness.

Sustain Vol. 3

Release Date: September 23, 2022
Catalog Number: NV6466
21st Century
Solo Instrumental
Organ
Piano
Navona Records presents SUSTAIN VOL. 3, an exploration of the capabilities of piano and organ highlighting the varied compositional approaches of today's composers. Influenced by the classical canon and moving in new directions, the latest edition in the SUSTAIN series pays homage to the classical composers of yesterday, while thoughtfully expressing modern personalities and ideals in a dynamic presentation of new piano repertoire. From the suspenseful passages of Sydney Hodkinson’s Organmusic, to the turbulent times reflected in Bruce Babcock’s Alternative Facts, and Hayg Boyadjian’s delicate variations on Bach, SUSTAIN once again gives it all, and everything in between.

A Keyboard Odyssey

Release Date: July 1, 2014
Catalog Number: NV5961
21st Century
Solo Instrumental
Piano
Composer Sydney Hodkinson's second Navona Records release, A KEYBOARD ODYSSEY, is a journey through the world of the solo keyboard, exploring the versatility and spirit of both the piano and organ through the composer's perceptive style.

Fine Music, Vol. 5

Release Date: April 1, 2014
Catalog Number: NV5949
21st Century
Chamber
Orchestral
Clarinet
Orchestra
Piano
Navona Records' new installment of the FINE MUSIC series presents a deep cross-sectionof the label's wide-ranging and provocative 2013/2014 release slate, featuring performances by the Grammy-nominated New York Polyphony, Ensemble Dal Niente, cellist Chris Wild, Grammy-winning clarinetist Richard Stoltzman, the Apollo Chamber Players, and many more in works by Hindemith, DeGaetano, Hodkinson, Ramette, Stevens, Williams, Bakker, Rotolo, Vines, Sternfeld-Dunn, Brown, Tarlow, and others.

Shifting Treks

Release Date: July 1, 2013
Catalog Number: NV5922
21st Century
Orchestral
Orchestra
A protégé of Rogers, Carter, Sessions, Britten, and Finney, Sydney Hodkinson emerged as a highly regarded composer and professional in his own right early on, serving as artist-in-residence, director, and educator across the United States and Canada, including at the Eastman School of Music where he catapulted the renowned Musica Nova into the public spotlight through innovative artistic direction and programming.