About Me
Composer/conductor/flutist Ezra Simmons is from Hamilton, Ohio. His works draw from a wide palate of ideas, ranging from existential philosophy, varying ideas of form, and most notably orchestration.
His work frequently addresses and confronts ideas of existential dread, anxiety, revolt, and most notably being-toward-death.
His special interests are in music philosophy, orchestration, and instrumental composition / conducting.
Contact: ezradhsimmons@gmail.com
Full Bio
Composer/conductor/flutist Ezra Simmons is from Hamilton, Ohio. His works draw from a wide palate of ideas, ranging from existential philosophy, form, and most notably orchestration. Ezra has had collaborations and performances of his works with the Miami University Symphony Orchestra under Ricardo Averbach, Yarn//Wire Ensemble, Unheard-of Ensemble, and ChatterPDX / ABQ.
In 2023, Ezra was commissioned by Ricardo Averbach to write an original orchestra piece titled Daydreams from the Countryside as the winner of the inaugural Miami University Composition Competition. Following this premiere, Ezra collaborated with Miami University violin professor Harvey Thurmer, creating a work for solo violin and piano titled, Poem: 10.26.23; the work went on to win second place in the 2024 Ohio Federation of Music Club Collegiate Composer’s Contest. Over the 2025 summer, Ezra was accepted to the Oregon Bach festival where his piece Scherzo was performed by James Shields (principal clarinetist of the Oregon Symphony), Ron Blessinger (violin), Trevor Fitzpatrick (cello), and Susan McDaniel (piano); all a combination of performers from ChatterPDX and ChatterABQ.
Ezra has studied composition with Per Bloland, Susanna Hancock, Phillip Roberts, Aaron Perrine, and Laura Harrison, conducting with Director of Bands Emeritus Gary Speck, Dan Farr, and Ricardo Averbach, and flute under Morrigan Kane, Rebecca Andres, and Rebecca Chesnes. Ezra has recently presented in masterclasses with Ricardo Zohn-Muldoon and Scott Ordwary, as well as attended lectures by Aaron Perrine, Joo Won Park, Joseph Kamaru, and David Crumb. Currently, Ezra is pursuing his Master’s of Music Composition under John Eagle at Bowling Green State University, and is a graduate assistant for Orchestration and Wind Scoring classes. Ezra plans to continue his studies past his Master’s with a focus on musical craft first and foremost.