Gjon Simoni

Gjon Simoni was born in Shkodër on 8 February 1936 into an Albanian family of long cultural tradition. He died in Tirana accidentally on 2 July 1999. He was active in his city's musical life very early, contributing as an organist in the Catholic church. He later continued this contribution in Tirana. In 1962-1966 he attended higher studies at the Tirana State Conservatory (now Academy of Arts) for Composition and Music Theory. He graduated with very good grades. He was appointed in Gjirokastër where he worked in the period 1966-1969 as Head of Music. He then worked as editor of musical programs until 1980. In 1980 he was appointed Head of the Composition Department and teacher of orchestration at the Academy of Arts in Tirana. In 1993-1994 he continued his professional activity in Greece where he taught at the music school and private lessons in the city of Karditsa. In 1996-1997 he was appointed Dean of the Faculty of Music at the Academy of Arts in Tirana. After 1997 and until he died he served as a teacher of orchestration at the Academy. In 1995 he received the title "Professor". He was honored with various prizes and titles, among which: "Artist of Merit" in 1989. His musical works are rich and diverse, and have been played in all important musical events in Albania and abroad. In the field of theoretical thought development he has made important contributions both in the Albanian media and in various conferences and seminars abroad. Meanwhile, his contribution extends to the development and revaluation of the works of Albanian composers of the first half of the 20th century. He worked for the completion and finalization of the work of the composer Tonin Harapi. In 1999 he was honored with an honorary diploma from the International Biographical Centre Cambridge England.