Biography

Audiences and musicians alike have repeatedly praised John Newell's works for their originality, clarity, and expressive power. In his own words, he strives to compose music "whose structure arises from the poetic and musical idea, music in which expression and form become one."

Organizations that have commissioned his works include the Atlantic Sinfonietta, The Bowery Ensemble (New York), the Enid-Phillips Symphony Orchestra (Oklahoma), Monday Evening Concerts (Los Angeles), as well as amateur groups such as the Gateway Regional High School Choir (Huntington, Massachusetts). His work has received a number of awards from the American Music Center, the Massachusetts Cultural Council and Meet the Composer.

John is also an accomplished pianist and conductor. Recently he performed the solo part in the premiere of his Concerto for Piano & Orchestra. He founded and conducted the Berkshire County Chamber Orchestra in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. For many years he has served as music director for the Congregational Church of Worthington, Massachusetts. He is affiliated with Broadcast Music, Inc. and is an artist member of the American Music Center. He publishes his work through Abierto Music.

John was born in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1949. His earliest musical training was in piano. He attended Duke University, pursuing studies in composition, piano and conducting; he graduated summa cum laude in 1971. John earned an M.F.A. from California Institute of the Arts and Ph.D. from State University of New York at Buffalo. While in Buffalo he held the first Edgard Varese Fellowship in composition. He studied composition with Iain Hamilton, Mel Powell, and Morton Feldman.

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