About Gibson

The music of Gibson Mahnke (b. 2004) explores ideas of human connectivity while crossing genres and pushing sonic boundaries. A Baltimore-based composer, his work explores the intersection between humanity and the natural world, while providing a genuine account of the human experience.

 

Mahnke’s work has been described as reflective, meditative, and filled with a “gentle nostalgia” (San Francisco Classical Voice). At its core, it is raw and human. His music is characterized by a unique blend of influences, from minimalism and ambient music to post-rock and folk. Mahnke aims not just to create music, but to construct sonic spaces in which audiences can immerse themselves. Additionally, as both a composer and active performer, he challenges the role of music in society by striving for performer-focused music that breaks down traditional performer-to-audience barriers to create shared musical experiences. Hailing from colorful Colorado, nature also plays a large role in Mahnke’s art and he is constantly searching for ways to present ideas of nature in similarity and contrast with humanity. 

 

Mahnke has collaborated with and had his music performed by a variety of ensembles, chamber groups, and performers, including the University of Southern California Symphony Orchestra, the Boulder Philharmonic, the Mivos Quartet, Ensemble PHACE, Transient Canvas, and cellist Gabriel Cabezas. He is currently the composer in residence with the Greater Boulder Youth Orchestra and is an alumnus of New Music on the Point, the Cortona Sessions for New Music, New York New Music Intensive, Valencia International Performing Arts Festival Composition Program, Vienna Contemporary Composers Festival, and Alba Music Festival Composition Program.

 

A large body of Mahnke’s work involves collaborations within movement spaces. He works in both electronic and acoustic mediums with the goal of promoting cross-disciplinary commissions and collaborations involving music and dance. His dance film, i see, a project with long-term collaborative partner, choreographer Tyler Chang, and director Olivia Brancato, received international acclaim, being selected for several film festivals across the globe and winning “Best of the Fest” and “Best Student Dance Short” at the Inspired Dance Film Festival. More recently, he worked to produce and perform kami, an evening-length performance featuring dance and ambient music that explores how culture is passed down—and how it erodes, shifts, or vanishes over time, alongside collaborator Sara Yamada.

 

Mahnke holds a B.M. in Composition from the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, and is currently pursuing a M.M. in Composition at the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University. He has studied composition with Ted Hearne, Veronika Krausas, Camae Ayewa (Moor Mother), Brian Head, Sean Friar, and Max Wolpert, and is currently under the tutelage of Oscar Bettison. In addition to composing, Mahnke maintains an active performance life as an oboist. Additionally, Mahnke performs and produces ambient music as part of a duo with guitarist and fellow composer Evan Williams. Together they started the Warbler Ensemble, an L.A.-based new music ensemble. 

    

Aside from music, Mahnke loves to travel, cook, and spend time outdoors.