John Newell
Music Composer
John is a composer, pianist, and conductor whose work draws inspiration from the natural world and the wisdom of sacred traditions. Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, he earned a B.A. from Duke University in 1971 before completing an M.F.A. at the California Institute of the Arts and a Ph.D. at the State University of New York at Buffalo, where he was the first recipient of the Edgard Varèse Fellowship.
His compositions—written for orchestra, chamber ensembles, vocal groups, and solo instruments—have been commissioned by organizations including Eight Strings & a Whistle, Atlantic Sinfonietta, Monday Evening Concerts, and the Enid Symphony Orchestra. An active performer and collaborator, he has appeared in numerous premieres, including the solo role in his Concerto for Piano and Orchestra. He currently teaches privately and serves on the faculty of the SummerKeys adult music program in Maine.
