Composer Residency at The University of Central Missouri

 
with conductor Dr. Scott Lubaroff after the premiere of Where Rivers Bend and So Simple

with conductor Dr. Scott Lubaroff after the premiere of Where Rivers Bend and So Simple

 

John was invited to be a composer-in-residence at the University of Central Missouri from April 13-19, 2017.  Two performances featuring his compositions were given during the weeklong residency.  The first concert, by the University of Central Missouri Concert Band, under the direction of Dr. Ernest Jennings, took place on Monday, April 17 at 7:30pm.  The second concert, on Wednesday, April 19 at 7:30pm included two world premieres, Where Rivers Bend and So Simple, performed by the University of Central Missouri Wind Ensemble, Dr. Scott Lubaroff, conductor.  The April 19 concert also featured a performance of Big City for orchestra by the University of Central Missouri Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Dr. John Rutland.  Both concerts were at Hendricks Hall Auditorium located on the University of Central Missouri Campus.

SKRONK at Carnegie Hall

UCM Wind Ensemble at Carnegie Hall

UCM Wind Ensemble at Carnegie Hall

John will have his composition “Skronk” performed by University of Central Missouri Wind Ensemble on their upcoming concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The performance, under the direction of conductor, Dr. Scott Lubaroff, will take place in famed Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall on Saturday, February 13 at 8pm.

Orchestrations for 2015 Papal mass in Philadelphia

Curtis Institute of Music professor, Dr. Ke-Chia Chen and composer John Frantzen were commissioned to orchestrate and arrange ten works for the Philadelphia Orchestra’s upcoming performance during the Papal Visit in Philadelphia.  On September 22-27 Philadelphia will host the World Meeting of Families, a massive multi-day Catholic celebration of families culminating in a visit by Pope Francis on Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27.  1.5 million visitors are expected to attend the event.  Chen and Frantzen orchestrated and arranged ten hymns for the Philadelphia orchestra, under the direction Yannick Nézet-Séguin, to be performed at the Papal Mass providing the liturgical music for the 400 member Philadelphia Archdiocesan Choir. The Papal Mass will take place on Sunday, September 27, at 4pm on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia.

BEYOND A WILD DREAM premiere with the Quad City Symphony Orchestra

John will have his new composition “Beyond a Wild Dream” premiered by The Quad City Symphony Orchestra on their 2014-2015 opening concert celebrating their 100th anniversary season.  The premiere performance, under the direction of conductor Mark Russell Smith, will take place at the Adler Theater in Davenport at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4.  In addition there will be a matinee performance at Augustana College’s Centennial Hall Auditorium at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 5.  Other works featured will be Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3, with Andre Watts, piano soloist and Antonín Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 “From the New World”.