Assistant Professor of Music
Music Theory, Composition, Technology

Dr. David Z. Durant (b. 1957), assistant professor of music, joined the faculty of the Department of Music at the University of South Alabama in the fall of 2003. His primary teaching responsibilities are in the Music Theory and Music Technology Programs.

A native of Birmingham, Alabama, he started performing at the age of seven and began composing as a high school student in Atlanta, Georgia. Durant went to the University of Florida on a music scholarship and received a Bachelor of Music degree in composition.

As a resident of Gainesville, Florida from 1980 to 1989, Durant taught piano and composition and performed in a new music ensemble. He received a Master of Music degree in composition and taught piano at the University of Florida. His primary composition teachers were Edward Troupin and John D. White.

In 1989 he moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to teach theory and piano at the University of Alabama. He received his DMA in composition in 1992 from UA, where his composition teachers were Frederic Goossen, Harry Phillips, and Andrew Imbrie. He studied computer music with James Paul Sain and Marvin Johnson.

After receiving his DMA, Durant became the Coordinator of Music Services at the University of Alabama School of Music and held teaching positions in theory and electronic music. He also was the supervisor of the electronic music studios. In addition to his duties with the School of Music, he was the composer-in-residence for the University of Alabama Dance Program and the Alabama Repertory Dance Theatre. He composed a number of pieces that were choreographed by the ARDT. Several other dance companies including the American Ballet Theatre have commissioned works from him.

Durant has written over 80 works for many varieties of large and small ensembles, soloists, film, dance, theater, electronic medium, and young performers. He has also been a consultant to a number of arts organizations and has designed or upgraded recording studios around the Southeast United States.