Brandon Fradd Fellowship in Music Composition

The Brandon Fradd Fellowship in Music Composition, established in 2006, was endowed by Brandon Fradd of New York City for the benefit of the winner of the music composition award.

Mr. Fradd, managing director of Apollo Medical Partners, received his undergraduate degree in mathematics from Princeton University, a graduate degree from the New College of Oxford University and a medical degree from Harvard Medical School. Mr. Fradd grew up in Miami among Cuban friends from whom he learned Spanish and developed an interest in Cuban music.

With this generous donation, Mr. Fradd has made it possible for the foundation to give an annual fellowship to a Cuban composer and thus support the rich heritage of Cuban music for the enjoyment of all.

First to receive the Brandon Fradd Fellowship in Music Composition was Carlos Puig-Hatem of Miami. Born in Cuba, Mr. Puig-Hatem began studying music at the age of 7 and composing jazz at the age of 15. He graduated from the Amadeo Roldan Conservatory as trumpet professor and later received a bachelor in music, with a specialization in composition, from the Higher Institute of Art in Havana.

Mr. Puig-Hatem worked as conductor of the Children Symphony Orchestra of Havana from 1992 to 1994 and as director in the Composition Department at the Havana Institute of Art. Among his influences are Ligeti, Messiaen, Bach, Beethoven, Stravinsky and Cuban composer Alejandro Garcia Caturla, which is his strongest influence when writing.

In 2008, Armando Bayolo received the second Brandon Fradd Fellowship. Born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, Mr. Bayolo has a bachelor’s degree in music from the Eastman School of Music, a master’s from Yale University and a doctorate from the University of Michigan. His compositions include works for solo instruments, voices, chamber and orchestral music. Bayolo is the founding artistic director and conductor of Great Noise Ensemble, and has been a guest conductor with the Rose City Chamber Orchestra in Portland, Oregon, and the Lee University Chamber Orchestra in Cleveland, Tennessee. With Adrian Castro, winner of the Cintas fellowship for literature, Mr. Bayolo participated in a special program dedicated to the Cintas Foundation during the 2008 Miami Book Fair International.

Sergio Barroso, a Havana-born composer, keyboard player and synthesist, won the fellowship in 2009. Barroso works extensively in the electroacoustic music field, but he has also composed music for orchestra, for choral and chamber ensemble and for the stage and film.

Mr. Fradd has also provided funds to support the music collection of the Cintas Foundation, ensuring that information and records are maintained for posterity.

Endowment Awards may also be granted in the fields of: architecture, film, literature, music composition, photography, sculpture and Lifetime Achievement. The Cintas Foundation welcomes inquiries.