Howard J. Buss

Howard J. Buss is an American composer of contemporary classical music.

Early life and education

Buss was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, on January 6, 1951, the eldest of eight children. At age 14, he became a member of the Patriot Jazz Band in Allentown and joined the American Federation of Musicians, later becoming a member of the Marine Band of Allentown. Buss also toured as a trombonist with the Tijuana Brats; recording with them for R.C.A. Records and appearing with them on various television shows, such as The Tonight Show, The Mike Douglas Show, and The Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon.
He attended Emmaus High School in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, where he graduated in 1968. He attended West Chester State College, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in applied music in 1972. In 1974, he studied with composer H. Owen Reed and received a Master of Music in trombone performance from Michigan State University. In 1975, he received a Master of Music in composition from Michigan State University; and received a Doctor of Musical Arts in composition in 1977 from the University of Illinois.
In 1985, Buss established Brixton Publications and Howard J. Buss Publications. The companies were sold to Cimarron Music Press in October 2021.
Buss has received several awards, including the 2011 Lieksa Brass Week Composition Competition in Finland, the 2015 American Trombone Workshop National Composition Competition, and The American Prize.

He is married to Judy E. Boss, a musician and flutist.