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John was a triple winner in the 2008 Composer’s Guild music composition contest--taking first place in the solo piano category with his 4th piano sonata, first place in the arranger's category for his arrangement of “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” for chamber orchestra and first place in the children’s music category. He also took third place in the jazz category for his piece “Shape-shifter #6” for jazz quartet.
John took first place in the jazz/new age/popular category of the 2005 Composer’s Guild composition competition for his piece “Blue Horse Opus” an eight minute tour de force solo vocal piece with jazz quartet backing.
John wrote the words and music.
Some of the judges’ comments: “A big piece, very involved---it
has a Stan Kenton feel, which is a real compliment, and the funk/bop alternate
style creates a very fresh combination”.
-“It is almost too much music”!
-“This piece should be out on the market”!
December 19, 2004
John took the first place prize in the 2004 Composers Guild Composition competition in the solo piano category for his Piano Sonata in Three Movements.
Track 1 Track 2 Track 3
He also won third place in the jazz/popuplar category for his jazz/pop flavored song
"Dream on People", sung by Bay area songstress Karen Monte.
January 22, 2004
John took second place in the solo piano category of the 2003 Composer's Guild Composition competition for his suite of solo piano pieces entitled Seven Sentiments for solo piano . These are seven of 24 solo pieces for piano that John completed in 2003.
He also won fourth place in the same category for his Five Moods in Miniature.
December 28, 2002
John was a double winner in the 2002 Composers Guild Competition, an international composers competition. He took first place in the Jazz Category with a solo piano work entitled Five Forays into Classijazz. These pieces are a blend of classical and jazz influences.
He also took second place in the Choral Category for his composition Peace Circle, scored for ten voices. This piece cycles through all twelve keys, beginning with Gregorian chant, working its way through twelve successive periods of musical history, ending with late twentieth century contemporary.
December 2, 2002
John recently won the Portland Songwriter's Association Best Instrumental of the Year award for his song, Tripura's Walk. You can find this song on his album Fractal Blue. Tripura's Walk is a good example of John's ability to use his melodic and harmonic gifts in an original but still accessible fashion.