Northwestern University Symphonic Wind Ensemble
conducted by Dr. Mallory Thompson
Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, Evanston IL
April 19, 2013

Symphony No. 1, My Hands Are a City

Jonathan Newman composes music rich with rhythmic drive and intricate sophistication, creating broadly colored musical works that incorporate styles of pop, blues, jazz, folk, and funk into otherwise classical models. Trained as a pianist, trombonist, and singer, his work is informed by an upbringing performing in orchestras, singing in jazz choirs, playing in marching bands, and accompanying himself in talent shows. From opera to bubblegum pop, Newman delivers a new perspective on American concert music. Recent work includes MASS, a large-scale project with texts by poet Victoria Chang which premiered in 2018 with The Choir of Trinity Wall Street as part of their Mass Reimaginings commissioning program. In 2016 he was appointed Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestras Composer-in-Residence; CYSO’s 2011 commission BLOW IT UP, START AGAIN has been performed by orchestras worldwide, including the Minnesota Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony, the 2015 Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the 2015 BBC Proms. He is currently working with playwright Gary Winter on an imaginary ballet suite project for the Florida State University Wind Orchestra. He resides in Virginia, where he serves as Director of Composition & Coordinator of New Music at Shenandoah Conservatory.

Austin Busch is a composition major at Northwestern University.

www.stevechauvette.com

sound artist, multi-instrumentalist, producer, tech enthusiast, disc golfer

thumbnail/cover photography: Kev Ng

YouTube:
https://bit.ly/3dmtbZD
Instagram:
@vibebrothers_
https://www.instagram.com/vibebrothers_/?hl=ru

Braden Pontoli is a collaborative musician, composer, producer, conductor, and educator living in Los Angeles, CA. Braden is always pushing the boundaries to infuse his music into new media and concepts. An emerging film composer and sound designer, Braden creates soundtracks for film, animation, video games, and podcasts. His latest movie “Superbois” with Mancinetti Pictures will premiere later this year. A founding participant of the Screen Music Program in Milan, Italy, Braden collaborated with composers from around the world creating music for a video gameplay in July, 2019. Braden is a member of ASCAP and holds credits on IMBD.

A vocalist, pianist, keyboardist, and percussionist, Braden is in demand to collaborate with performing artists, recording sessions, ensembles, and freelance gigs. You can find his music published through J.W. Pepper. Braden’s work with dance companies has been highlighted by California Institute of the Arts, California School of the Arts, Baldwin Wallace University, and the Cleveland Public Theater. In 2016, Braden began collaborating with MorrisonDance writing music for their show entitled “In The Space of Dreams” a 45 minute show of original choreography and music.

As a conductor and educator, Braden has conducted choral festivals and served as a clinician throughout the United States. Most recently, he served as the Contemporary Vocal Ensemble Director and VoiceArts lecturer at California Institute of the Arts. Previously, he served as vocal music director in the Avon Lake City Schools, teaching approximately 1,000 grades 7-8 students. Braden’s choirs toured regionally and received superior ratings at adjudications. In 2017, Braden’s eighth grade concert choir received the honor of performing at the Ohio Music Education Association Conference. Braden was music director at Rocky River United Methodist Church conducting large works, the chancel choir, and overseeing the church’s music program. 

Braden graduated from Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music with a Bachelors of Music Education. He recently graduated from the California Institute of the Arts with a Master of Fine Arts in Music Performance and Composition. He is a Pittsburgh, PA native.

Symphony No. 1, My Hands Are a City

jonathannewman