John Newell

About the Artist

Born in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1949, John’s earliest musical
training was in piano. He attended Duke University (B.A 1971) and the
recently established California Institute of the Arts (M.F.A 1973).
His primary teacher at CalArts was composer Mel Powell. John's formal
training was completed at the State University of New York at Buffalo,
where he studied with Morton Feldman. Holder of the first Edgard
Varèse Fellowship, he received his Ph.D. in 1979. Since that time
John has pursued an independent creative path, finding inspiration in
the wonder of nature and his experience of the sacred and secular aspects of life.
He has composed a broad range of works for orchestra, solo instruments,
vocal ensembles and chamber groups.

Organizations that have commissioned works include Eight Strings & a
Whistle, Bowery Ensemble and Atlantic Sinfonietta (New York),
Monday Evening Concerts (Los Angeles), the Enid Symphony
Orchestra (Oklahoma), Resinosa Ensemble, Passamaquoddy Bay
Symphony Orchestra and Songs From Here (Maine). His work has
received support from the American Music Center, the Massachusetts
Cultural Council and Meet the Composer. John self-publishes his works
through Abierto Music.

An accomplished pianist and conductor, John is experienced in
collaborating with performers to create and present new works. He has
participated in a number of premiere performances, including the solo
part in his Concerto for Piano and Orchestra. John was the founding
director of Quoddy Voices, a choral ensemble based in Eastport, Maine.

John currently maintains a private teaching studio and is on the
faculty of the SummerKeys adult music program in Lubec, Maine. He and
his wife Linda now divide their time between down east Maine and the Pioneer
Valley of Massachusetts.