Compositional Activities
William Longo is a versatile composer and arranger, creating music in a variety of genres. His compositions and arrangements have been performed and recorded by notable jazz and popular artists, including Bruce Hornsby, Steve Miller, Jon Secada, Cyrille Aimée, and Nicole Henry. Recent commissions include works for The Airmen of Note, JAZZ ROOTS: A Larry Rosen Jazz Series, the Power of Love Gala™ at the MGM Grand, the Henry Mancini Institute at the University of Miami, and for several other university and high school music programs. In 2014, Longo received the USAFB Sammy Nestico Award for his composition, New Day, which was premiered by The Airmen of Note, the premier jazz ensemble of the United States Air Force. In addition to his work as a composer, Longo also works as a conductor, recording and mixing engineer, and producer.
Education
Currently, Dr. Longo is the Director of the Music Technology and Production program at Providence College, where he also teaches course in jazz studies, music theory, and composition. Prior to his appointment at Providence College, Longo served on the faculty at the University of Rhode Island, where he taught courses in jazz history and applied jazz and contemporary music composition. In addition, he was previously a part-time lecturer at the University of Miami, where he taught courses in the departments of Studio Music and Jazz, and Music Theory and Composition. An active educator during his time in South Florida, Dr. Longo also taught courses in Media Writing and Technology at Florida International University and Miami Dade College.
Longo completed his D.M.A. in Jazz Composition at University of Miami. During his doctoral studies, he completed significant research on small group jazz arranging techniques for brass and woodwinds, conducting a comparative study of the works of Tadd Dameron, Benny Golson, Oliver Nelson, and Duke Pearson. He also served as an instructor for a variety of courses across several departments, including hybrid MIDI/acoustic composition production techniques, recording technology, jazz arranging techniques, and also served as assistant conductor for the Frost Studio Jazz Band. In addition, Dr. Longo served as supervisor and curriculum developer with Frost MusicReach, UM's community outreach and mentoring program.
In addition, Dr. Longo has earned degrees from the University of Connecticut (B.A.), Queens College (M.A.), and the University of Miami (M.M.). Dr. Longo is an Avid Certified Pro Tools Instructor and is authorized to teach official Avid courses and administer Avid certification exams at Providence College.
For more information, please refer to William's C.V.