CHAMBERS, Wendy Mae

Wendy Mae Chambers is an American composer and performance artist known for large-scale, unconventional works and for her use of unusual instruments and settings. She was born on 24 January 1953 and studied music at Barnard College, where she worked with Kenneth Cooper, Nicholas Roussakis, Jack Beeson and Charles Wuorinen. She later earned a master’s degree in composition from Stony Brook University. Apple Music Classical - Web Player
Her music often moves beyond the traditional concert hall and incorporates theatrical, visual and participatory elements. Chambers has written for unconventional forces including large percussion ensembles, multiple trombones, toy pianos and everyday objects. Her work was influenced in part by John Cage, whom she knew personally, as well as by the large-scale visual concepts of artists such as Christo and Andy Warhol. Wikipedia
Among her best-known works are Symphony of the Universe, written for an enormous ensemble including 100 timpani, percussion, jazz big band, chorus, organ and tape; Twelve Squared, a percussion work written in memory of John Cage; and Kun, created for 64 toy pianos. She is particularly associated with the toy piano, both as a composer and performer.