James M. Stephenson
“This initiative is a chance to engage with young people. I remember what it was like to be at that age, and to be so engaged and driven by music. I love that I get to write for them. It's inspiring.”
Biography
Leading American orchestras, instrumentalists, and wind ensembles around the world have performed the music of Chicago based composer James M. Stephenson, both to critical praise and the delight of audiences. The Boston Herald raved about “straightforward, unabashedly beautiful sounds,” suggesting “Stephenson deserves to be heard again and again!” A formal sense of melody and tonality characterize his music, each embedded in a contemporary soundscape. These qualities, coupled with the composer’s keen ability to write to each occasion, have led to a steady stream of commissions and ongoing projects. His new ballet score will be premiered by the San Francisco Ballet in 2021, along with other new works such as a guitar concerto, a piano concerto, and several works for university wind ensembles. He has been named "Musical Collaborator" with the Grand Rapids Symphony for the 2020-21 season, a partnership specifically designed to manage music creation during the pandemic. In addition to the PYP commission, in 2020-21 Jim will be writing for the Cincinnati Pops and Buffalo Philharmonic, "The President's Own" US Marine Band, and a new opera for the International Chamber Artists, where he is Composer-in-Residence. Past commissions/premieres include the Chicago Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony, among many other noted soloists and ensembles.
Suite of Suites
The world premiere of James Stephenson's 'Suite of Suites' performed by Portland Youth Philharmonic's chamber orchestra.