Bio
Gavin Tomasco (b. 2004) is a composer, vocalist, and conductor whose work incorporates rich lyricism, innovative textures, and layered rhythmic structures, blending contemporary and classical influences into vivid sonic expression. Inspired by poetry, philosophy, history, art, and the physical sciences, Gavin combines concepts in his music, putting them in dialogue with one another to explore the world and our place in it. His vocal, instrumental, and electronic music bridge the accessible and the avant-garde, empowering musicians of all levels to explore the versatility of their instruments.
Gavin's music has been performed by ensembles including the Boston Conservatory Wind Ensemble, University of Michigan Chamber Choir, University of Michigan Men’s Glee Club, The Washington Chorus, Florida Gulf Coast University Cantabile tenor bass choir, and Contemporary Art Music Project (CAMP). His music has been performed internationally in Brazil, Argentina, and Peru.
Gavin won the 2023 Brehm Prize in Choral Composition, was two-time finalist in the NJMEA Young Composers Competition (2021 & 2022), and won the 2021 Make Music Day Young Composers Contest. Gavin earned his Bachelor of Music in Composition from the University of Michigan and studied with Bright Sheng, Evan Chambers, Erik Santos, Kristin Kuster, and Roshanne Etezady. He currently pursuing a masters degree at Boston Conservatory at Berklee and studies composition with Michael Gilbertson.
As a vocalist, Gavin has performed and recorded with Nightingale Vocal Ensemble and EXIGENCE Vocal Ensemble. He also makes up half of experimental music duo bush•cricket alongside composer-performer Elijah Rivers Hall. Eli and Gavin co-write pieces at the intersection of electroacoustic chamber music and immersive music theatre.
As a conductor, Gavin founded Laurentide, a vocal new music ensemble dedicated to performing new choral works by the University of Michigan composition department. For the 2024–25 academic year, Gavin served as the assistant conductor of Arts Chorale, a choir for non-music majors at the University of Michigan.
Photo credit: Rj Dion