Jonathan Newman

Jonathan Newman composes music rich with rhythmic drive and intricate sophistication, creating broadly colored musical works that incorporate styles of pop, blues, jazz, folk, and funk into otherwise classical models. Trained as a pianist, trombonist, and singer, his work is informed by an upbringing performing in orchestras, singing in jazz choirs, playing in marching bands, and accompanying himself in talent shows. His music has been performed by orchestras worldwide, including the Minnesota Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony, the Brussels Philharmonic, Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. His most recent work Bespoke Songs is a vocal chamber music cycle setting texts in six languages by woman poets spanning two millennia. Other recent work includes JRB Variations for piano, and the "imagined ballet" Pi‘ilani and Ko‘olau. He and the conductor Nadège Foofat reside with their children in Virginia, where he serves as Director of Composition & Coordinator of New Music at Shenandoah Conservatory.