Les Thimmig was born March 19, 1943 in Santa Maria, California. His childhood was spent in Joliet, Illinois, where the many opportunities and motivation of the greater Chicago area allowed him to develop his interests in classical performance (clarinet), jazz performance (saxophone), composition (classical and jazz), and conducting. During his collegiate education (B.M. from Eastman, M.M.A. and D.M.A. from Yale; all in composition), he was also active in the free-lance performing areas of New York City, Boston, and the connecting areas. After a year of teaching in Yale's theory department, he assumed the directorship of the composition/theory department of the University of Victoria (B.C.). After two years, he was brought to the University of Wisconsin to direct the composition program. Several years later, he diversified, adding woodwind performance and jazz studies to his educational offerings. He remains active in all the above-mentioned areas.

His compositions are recorded on the CRI, Spectrum, Nonesuch, Stellar, and GM labels, and published by G. Schirmer, E.C. Schirmer, Margun, and Turquoise Flame. Recent performances as soloist include those with Parnassus, New England Conservatory Chamber Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, Boston Musica Viva, Dayton Symphony, Orquesta Nacional de Venezuela, and the New York Philharmonic. His current (2006) projects include works for Frankfort's Musica Mestiza, University of Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra hornist Adam Unsworth and other prominent soloists, as well as a continuing series of solo flute, clarinet, and saxophone vehicles for himself. He is a member of the Madison-based Latino ensemble Madisalsa, and leader of the Les Thimmig 7, the repertoire of which is Thimmig compositions exclusively.

2007 Outreach and Guest Appearances

On tour with Adam Unsworth, hornist
October 18, Ohio State University
October 19, Cleveland State University
October 20, University of Michigan
October 22, University of Cincinnati
October 23, Northwestern University
October 25, UW-Madison

Performance with Chicago Clarinet Ensemble
December 10, Northeastern Illinois University (Chicago)

2008 Outreach and Guest Appearances

January 27, Basilica of St. Mary's, Minneapolis - Performance and introduction of two Thimmig compositions commissioned for the 100th anniversary celebration.

Performing with New Sousa Band
February 6, Ohio State University
February 7, Cincinnati Convention Center Ballroom