The Full Story
About Victor Valle
Pittsburgh-based Musician Victor Valle connects the world of stories around him through an array of musical skill sets. These skill sets include but are not limited to: Composition, Collaborative Piano, Saxophone Performance, Recording Services, and Conducting.
Music has always been a part of Victor's life since his abuelo would serenade the rural South Texas scenery with mariachi music. Upon moving to downtown Dallas, the significance of music transformed into a storytelling catalyst - a tool to empower unheard voices. With his Mexican heritage and identity as a gay man, Victor's passion for sharing stories was fueled even more. At the onset of this journey, he arranged traditional mariachi pieces for saxophone performances in local libraries on Día de los Niños, a celebration of children. He also produced a charity cabaret to raise funds for the Marsha P. Johnson Institute for Black Trans Women.
After receiving a Bachelor of Music in Music Composition and minor in musical theater from the University of Texas at Arlington, Valle pursued a Master Degree in Music Composition at Carnegie Mellon University while studying under prolific composer Nancy Galbraith.
Composer
Victor’s music is intertwined with a post-minimalist story-telling aesthetic and has best been described as “vivaciously exploratory.” Most recently, Victor’s piece “the first brushstroke on a blank canvas” was a finalist for the Pittsburgh Composer’s Project and premiered this past spring. A few other awards include the Lloyd-Carr Talioferra Award for “isolated joy” and the Harry G. Archer Orchestra Competition award for “and the fool leaped.” His most recent premieres include: “and the fool leaped” (orchestra, CMU Philharmonic), “crezco” (saxophone with piano acc., Will Meckley), and “sad bird suite” (solo piano, himself). He is currently working on works for saxophone choir to be premiered at the Texas Music Educators Convention as well as a Saxophone Octet to be premiered at the University of North Texas.
Composer
Victor’s music is intertwined with a post-minimalist story-telling aesthetic and has best been described as “vivaciously exploratory.” Most recently, Victor’s piece “then comes change” was premiered at the Texas Music Educators Convention by the UTA Saxophone Choir.
His awards include the Lloyd-Carr Talioferra Award for “isolated joy," the Harry G. Archer Orchestra Competition award for “and the fool leaped,” and the Pittsburgh Composer Project for "the first brushstroke on a blank canvas."
His most recent premieres include: “and the fool leaped” (orchestra, CMU Philharmonic), “crezco” (saxophone with piano acc., Will Meckley), and “sad bird suite” (solo piano, himself).
He is currently working on works for wind band, solo piano, and his musical "To Live Beyond A Screen."
Composer
Victor’s music is intertwined with a post-minimalist story-telling aesthetic and has best been described as “vivaciously exploratory.” Most recently, Victor’s piece “the first brushstroke on a blank canvas” was a finalist for the Pittsburgh Composer’s Project and premiered this past spring. A few other awards include the Lloyd-Carr Talioferra Award for “isolated joy” and the Harry G. Archer Orchestra Competition award for “and the fool leaped.” His most recent premieres include: “and the fool leaped” (orchestra, CMU Philharmonic), “crezco” (saxophone with piano acc., Will Meckley), and “sad bird suite” (solo piano, himself). He is currently working on works for saxophone choir to be premiered at the Texas Music Educators Convention as well as a Saxophone Octet to be premiered at the University of North Texas.
Collaborative Pianist
Victor’s passion for accompanying shines through when given the opportunity to collaborate with any musician. During his education he constantly honed his collaborative piano skills under Gabriel Sanchez, Zaheng Zhu, and Carla LaRocca.
Most recently, Victor was seen accompanying Mezzo-Soprano Emma Berkowitz for the premiere of her song cycle entitled “The Language of the Flowers” on the Kresge Theatre stage at Carnegie Mellon University. Other recent performances include: a musical theatre recording for Mezzo-Soprano Sarah Austin, church accompaniment at Liberty Chapel in Washington, PA, and playing Keys for a production of Newsies at Nolan Catholic High School.
Composer
Victor’s music is intertwined with a post-minimalist story-telling aesthetic and has best been described as “vivaciously exploratory.” Most recently, Victor’s piece “the first brushstroke on a blank canvas” was a finalist for the Pittsburgh Composer’s Project and premiered this past spring. A few other awards include the Lloyd-Carr Talioferra Award for “isolated joy” and the Harry G. Archer Orchestra Competition award for “and the fool leaped.” His most recent premieres include: “and the fool leaped” (orchestra, CMU Philharmonic), “crezco” (saxophone with piano acc., Will Meckley), and “sad bird suite” (solo piano, himself). He is currently working on works for saxophone choir to be premiered at the Texas Music Educators Convention as well as a Saxophone Octet to be premiered at the University of North Texas.
Recording Engineer
Victor’s skills as a recording engineer have been described as “seamlessly efficacious.” Victor’s ear for sound design derives from his career as an award-winning composer and talented collaborative pianist.
During his education at Carnegie Mellon University, he worked under his mentor, Riccardo Schulz. Most recently, Victor worked on recording an album for prolific cellist Aron Zelkowicz. Other recent projects include: an album for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra principal oboist Cynthia Koledo DeAlmeida, an album for indie artist Sean Andres, and narrations for screenwriter John Carson.
Composer
Victor’s music is intertwined with a post-minimalist story-telling aesthetic and has best been described as “vivaciously exploratory.” Most recently, Victor’s piece “the first brushstroke on a blank canvas” was a finalist for the Pittsburgh Composer’s Project and premiered this past spring. A few other awards include the Lloyd-Carr Talioferra Award for “isolated joy” and the Harry G. Archer Orchestra Competition award for “and the fool leaped.” His most recent premieres include: “and the fool leaped” (orchestra, CMU Philharmonic), “crezco” (saxophone with piano acc., Will Meckley), and “sad bird suite” (solo piano, himself). He is currently working on works for saxophone choir to be premiered at the Texas Music Educators Convention as well as a Saxophone Octet to be premiered at the University of North Texas.
Saxophonist
Victor's love for saxophone has spanned across the past 20 years. He has been defined as a “true and honest performer” and has been seen as a classical and chamber saxophonist. During his education, he trained under Dr. Mike Nguyen and Professor Tim Ishii.
Most recently, two of the ensembles Victor performed in, the UTA Sax Choir and the Sanguine Quartet, were selected to perform at the North American Saxophone Alliance Convention as well as the Texas Music Educators Association Convention. Victor has also been on multiple tours around high schools and middle schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to spread and promote a love for music.
Composer
Victor’s music is intertwined with a post-minimalist story-telling aesthetic and has best been described as “vivaciously exploratory.” Most recently, Victor’s piece “the first brushstroke on a blank canvas” was a finalist for the Pittsburgh Composer’s Project and premiered this past spring. A few other awards include the Lloyd-Carr Talioferra Award for “isolated joy” and the Harry G. Archer Orchestra Competition award for “and the fool leaped.” His most recent premieres include: “and the fool leaped” (orchestra, CMU Philharmonic), “crezco” (saxophone with piano acc., Will Meckley), and “sad bird suite” (solo piano, himself). He is currently working on works for saxophone choir to be premiered at the Texas Music Educators Convention as well as a Saxophone Octet to be premiered at the University of North Texas.
Conductor
From conducting along to wind band music as a child to conducting full length operas as a graduate student, Victor’s passion for conducting has had a fruitful journey of collaborations and creativity.
During his education, he trained under Stephen Story and Dr. Sergio Espinosa. Most recently, he conducted a new opera entitled "Whaling Women" for the CMU Graduate Student Alliance. Prior to that, Victor conducted the UTA Sax Choir as well as the UTA Catholic Center Choir.
Alongside Music
Though Victor prefers to be behind the piano for musicals, he's also been seen on the stage in shows such as Legally Blonde and Mamma Mia!. Aside from theater and music, Victor loves to spend his free time hiking, spending time with family, and exploring new coffee shops to support his lavender oat caffeine addiction. Victor is also an avid poetry enjoyer. He's currently inspired by "Flux" by Orion Carloto.
Let’s Work Together
Get in touch in regards to lessons, commissions, accompanists, or other general collaborations!