Compositions
Arrangements

Jan. 14, 2012 - Jim Stephenson, composer from Chicago and former 17-year member of the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra, introduces "Myraculous," a tribute to Myra Janco Daniels and written by Stephenson.  The composition was premiered during the "Thank You Myra Grand Gala" at the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples on Saturday evening.

Daniels, originally from Gary, Indiana, and a former advertising executive, is the founder of the Philharmonic Center for the Arts in Naples and served as its CEO from the day it opened in 1989 to Sept. 1, 2011. The "Thank You Myra Grand Gala" on Saturday was a tribute to her.

myra gala, jim speaking

Premieres

Stephenson has announced that his violin concerto, "Tributes," will be premiered by the Minnesota Orchestra under the direction of Music Director Osmo Vanska. Performance dates are April 12-15, 2012.

The Rhode Island Philharmonic (Larry Rachleff) will premiere Stephenson's orchestration of his "Fantasie" for violin on February 25, 2012, with soloist Alex Kerr.

December 10th - Stephenson was in Cleveland for the premiere of "Liquid Melancholy," his new clarinet concerto featuring Daniel Gilbert and the Contemporary Youth Orchestra, Liza Grossman, conductor.

Stephenson's music comes home - To help celebrate the 150th anniversary of Lake Forest, IL, Stephenson and the Lake Forest Symphony rededicated his Celebration Overture in performances led by Alan Heatherington on March 4 and 5, 2011.

New commissions

  • Stephenson to write new work for Skyline High School's (Ann Arbor) first ever graduating class in 2012.

  • Following the success of his initial release - Overture to a Winter Celebration - Stephenson is creating two more band works to be published by FJH Music Publishers.

  • Stephenson to write new work for Lawton Philharmonic for 50th anniversary celebration in 2012. The work will actively involve and highlight the nearby endemic native-American population.

  • New Stephenson Wind Ensemble work to highlight Gustavus Adolphus 150th anniversary celebration in March, 2012.

  • Stephenson has verbal agreement with the Grand Rapids Symphony & Chorus to create new work for 50th anniversary for premiere with the Grand Rapids Symphony in December of 2012.

Six concertos in six weeks

Beginning February 26, 2011, Stephenson's music enjoyed six fresh new concerto performances, featuring three premieres and a UK premiere. The composer was in attendance at most of them.

  • Feb. 26 - the wind ensemble premiere of Stephenson's Concerto Braziliano - in its entirety - for trombone and winds. Mark Hetzler, soloist, with the University of Wisconsin/Madison wind ensemble. Scott Teeple, conductor.

  • Feb. 28 - "The Road Less Taken" - a bass trombone concerto with trombone ensemble. Matthew Guilford, soloist, with the Washington Trombone Ensemble, conducted by Joh Kalbfleisch. Washington, D.C.

  • March 4 - "Duels and Dances" World Premiere. Concerto for Oboe and winds. Alex Klein, soloist, with the US "President's Own" Marine Band at the ABA Conference in Norfolk, VA. Major Jason Fettig conducted.

  • March 18 - "Rextreme" Concerto #2 for trumpet received its UK premiere with the Docklands Sinfonia, conducted by Spencer Down. Rex Richardson was the soloist.

  • March 29/31 - "Dodecafecta" - concerto for Brass Quintet and winds received performances at the Maryland Music Educators' Conference in Baltimore. Towson University Brass Quintet, soloists, with the Towson winds, conducted by Dana Rothlisberger.

  • April 16 - "Pandora's Waltz" - world premiere. The new flute concerto was performed by William Larsen with the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra. Michael Hall conducted.