Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, John Newell graduated from Duke University, having pursued studies in composition, piano and conducting. He earned his M.F.A from California Institute of the Arts, where his primary teacher was Mel Powell. John completed his formal training at SUNY Buffalo, working with Morton Feldman as recipient of the frst Edgard Varèse Fellowship. Since earning his Ph.D. in 1979 he has pursued an independent creative path.
John’s objective is to create works that refect his personal sensibility, that are rewarding for performers and listeners alike. He is equally at home composing for orchestra, solo instruments, voice, choral ensembles and chamber groups. Recent efforts includeEight Strings & a Whistle, Atlantic Sinfonietta and Bowery Ensemble (New York), Monday Evening Concerts (Los Angeles), Enid Symphony Orchestra (Oklahoma), the Songs From Here project, Resinosa Ensemble and Passamaquoddy Bay Symphony Orchestra (Maine).
John's works are self-published through Abierto Music and he is a member of Broadcast Music Inc. More information about his music is available at: www.johnnewellmusic.com.
An accomplished pianist, conductor and teacher, John teaches privately and on the faculty of SummerKeys adult music program. He was founding director of the choral ensemble Quoddy Voices. John and his wife Linda divide their time between down east Maine and the Pioneer Valley of western Massachusetts.