jordan hall

PhD, New York University

Jordan Hall researches British literature, with a focus on sound studies and the emergence of modern listening practices in the Enlightenment. His doctoral dissertation, entitled Sound Judgment: Ideologies of Listening and the Birth of English Music Criticism, offered the first book-length study of English music criticism as a literary genre.

Jordan is also a composer and violinist (www.jordanhall.com) whose music has been described as “stirring and poignant” (AllAboutJazz), “a vibrant, imaginative composition… rapturous” (Textura). He has composed for an array of ensembles and debuted compositions at New York venues such as National Sawdust. Recent commissions include Transitions: an audio/visual installation, staged at Brooklyn Army Terminal (New York, August 14th-September 5th, 2021); an original score for INTRALIA, produced by inVersion Theatre Company (New York, 2020); BLUEPRINT (New York, Boston, 2019), featuring full orchestra and spontaneous ballet in a New York premiere with subsequent performances at Boston Ballet’s BB@home series; and How to Listen to Machines (2017), a composition that weaves melodies through the rhythms and overtones of machine sounds recorded by collaborators worldwide. Describing INTRALIA, music magazine Interludes says, “Of standout note is the work of [the] composer… in establishing the transporting quality.” Describing How to Listen to Machines, which debuted at the New York City Electroacoustic Music Festival, TheaterScene.net called it “a full-throated, emotional musical declaration,” while A Closer Listen noted that Jordan “receives the mechanical noises as gifts, and returns the gifts with his [violin] bow.”

Trained in both classical and jazz, Jordan has headlined as soloist in major venues throughout the US and Europe, including Ordway Theatre (St. Paul), Orchestral Hall (Mpls), and Liszt Academy Hall (Budapest). Performance highlights include solos with major orchestras, such as a debut at age thirteen with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and a series of performances with the Minnesota Orchestra; performances by invitation of a former US President and First Lady; a performance at the Kennedy Center for the opening of a James Wyeth exhibition; concerts with jazz legends Kenny Barron, Regina Carter, Paquito D’Rivera, and Giovanni Hidalgo; and TV and radio broadcasts.

Jordan was a Stradivari Society Rare Instrument recipient of a 16th-century Gasparo De Salo violin, and has won competitions that include the Thursday Musical Competition (First Prize, 2001), Minnesota String & Orchestra Teachers Association Competition (Grand Prize, 2000/01), Young People’s Symphony Concert Association (Grand Prize, 2000), Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphony Concerto Competition (1998-99), The Schubert Club Competition String Division (Grand Prize, 1998), Minnesota Sinfonia Young Artist Competition (Grand Prize, 1997) and University of St. Thomas Young Artist Competition (Grand Prize, 1997). Awards include Maud Taylor Hill Award (1998), Edwin W. and Edith B. Norberg Trust Award (2000), Claire Givens Violins Award (1997).