Baton Rouge High School
Resume:
GEORGE ALBERT BENNER, D.M.A.
Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts
Natchitoches, LA 71457
(o): 318/357-2537 (f): 318/357-3299
abo464@r.postjobfree.com://faculty.lsmsa.edu/ABenner
EDUCATION
1994: D.M.A., Louisiana State University, music composition.
Dissertation: "Continuous Variation in Ellen Taaffe Zwilich's Intrada; and Generations,
an Original Composition
for Soprano, Tenor, and Orchestra."
1986: M.F.A., Tulane University, music composition.
1981: B.F.A., Tulane University, music.
1975-78: Tulane University, graduate school
33 hours graduate credit--philosophy
1975: B.A., Tulane University, philosophy.
MAJOR INSTRUCTORS
Dinos Constantinides (composition, 1987-1994).
Stephen David Beck (electro-acoustic composition, 1989-1994).
Deborah Drattell (composition and conducting, 1983-1986).
HONORS AND AWARDS
Recipient of ASCAP Standard Awards, 1994-2012.
National Federation of Music Clubs selected six compositions for inclusion in their 2011-
2013 competition bulletin:
The Monkey for flute quartet; A.G. for saxophone solo; Idyll for horn and piano; Idyll
for euphonium and piano;
Serenade for Two for trombone and piano; and Serenade for Two for euphonium and piano.
Appointed to the National Advisory Board of the National Association of Composers in the
U.S.A. (2002).
Appointed to the Advisory Board of the Louisiana Sinfonietta (2000).
Featured composer/lecturer at the 1999 New Music Festival, University of Wisconsin-La
Crosse (Nov. 16-18).
Awarded Second Place (1999) in the Music for a New Millennium Commissions from the
Khachaturian-Leeds Society
of America .
Three Preludes received the Audience Choice Award at the 1997 Louisiana Sinfonietta s
String Quartet Festival of New
Works from Baton Rouge.
Reflections upon a Windowsill (flute/harp) was a Finalist and To an Unborn Soul an
Honorable Mention in the National
Flute Association, Inc., 1996 Newly Published Music Competition.
Ephesians 5:19 chosen (1995) by The Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge, Catholic Community
Services & The Baton Rouge
International Heritage Festival for a concert honoring Pope John Paul II (10-29-95).
Illumination Too--(a) selected (1993) for a world premiere performance (12-6-93) by the
MIT Premiere Orchestra,
Cambridge, MA (b) selected (1993) by the Louisiana Sinfonietta for a performance (2-26-
94) held in conjunction with
LSU s 49th Annual Festival of Contemporary Music, Baton Rouge, LA.
Reoccurrence and 3 for Three archived at the Yoshiro Irino Institute of Music (1993),
Tokyo, Japan.
Nominated for the Mayor-President s Award for Excellence in the Arts, City of Baton
Rouge, 1992-1995.
Pi Kappa Lambda, Beta Lambda Chapter (1991).
COMMISSIONS
Prelude in C minor to go along with my already exisiting Fugue in C minor for inclusionon an 2012 CD of various organ
music (A Marvelous Love) by organist Carson Cooman, produced by Albany Records.
On Mystical Wings--a work for violin and piano premiered April 13, 2010 in Baton Rouge,
LA at ArtsFest 2011.
Dancin on the County Line a piece featuring the string bass and string quartet by the
Louisiana Sinfonietta (2010)
for their summer children s program at the Baton Rouge libraries.
Through the Hymnal a piano duet by the Louisiana Music Teachers Association for the 2009
Composers Commissioning
Award Program premiered at the 2009 LMTA Conference in Lafayette, LA.
A new sacred motet (an anthem for 4-part SATB choir) for the Choral Fellows ensemble of
the Harvard University
for use at daily worship services and other events for which the ensemble sings.
Changes for woodwind septet by the Louisiana Sinfonietta (2007).
Marche a brass quintet arrangement of G. F. Handel s Marche from the Occasional
Oratorio (2006) by the Hudson
Valley Brass Quintet, David Winograd, director.
Louisiana Sunshine theme and variations on You Are My Sunshine for orchestra commissioned
collaboratively (2004) by
Louisiana s seven professional orchestras through the Louisiana Association of Symphony
Orchestras (LASO).
Go, Tell It on the Mountain an arrangement (2003) for brass quartet by the Hudson Valley
Brass, David Winograd, director.
Three Jazz Preludes--a piano work by the Louisiana Music Teachers Association for the
2000 Composers Commissioning
Program.
Into the Jungle--a piano suite aimed and designed for children/young performers as part
of a project funded by the Werner
Foundation for a recording and concerts/lectures/presentations in 2000-01.
Praise--an organ prelude by the Werner Foundation to be included in the initial volume of
chorale preludes designed for both
church musicians and recitalists published through Conners Publications.
St. Norbert College Alma Mater--St. Norbert College Centennial Commission, De Pere, WI.
Ephesians 5:19--by the organist Wieslaw Rentowski for recital performances.
3 for Three--a set of three works by the Magnolia Trio (premiere commission).
Illumination--by the Louisiana Sinfonietta for their Tenth Anniversary season, 1991-1992.
Past and Future Visions--by the violinist Dinos Constantinides for a NY concert at
Lincoln Center (5-16-91).
Eight piano arrangements for an original musical, Amaryllis, by the Anna Dean Teague
Theatre, Inc.
A.G.; Blessed Sacrament; Paean; Fanfare; Through the Ages; How Sweet the Sound; Psalm
100; Choices; Reflections
upon a Windowsill; an arrangement of F. Delius On hearing the first Cuckoo in Spring;
Awakenings;
Reoccurrence; Serenade for Two, The Carpenter-Wood Rag; and the "Easter" Quintet for
Brass; by various
performers.
PUBLICATIONS
A. Series editor for the "Music of America" reprint series (Conners Publications).
1. Vol. #1--A. P. Heinrich s The Sylviad with an introduction by J. Bunker Clark, 1996.
B. Collaborating with Wallace McKenzie on Anthology of Music in America to 1900 for
future publication by
Conners Publications ["Music of America" reprint series, vol. #2]. [Work has been put on
hold.]
C. Editor of various pieces of A. P. Heinrich taken from The Sylviad (modern engraving)
published through Conners
Publications.
D. Compositions published through Conners Publications.
E. "Point of View" column; various reviews and articles in Composer/USA, the national
bulletin of NACUSA (1994 to
present) and the NACUSA website; also in the Wisconsin Alliance of Composer s newletter
(1997 to present) and the
WAC website.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
A. Louisiana School for Math, Science & the Arts--Music Instructor, 1998 to present.
1. Theory: Fundamentals of Music (MU 101), Introduction to Music Theory (MU 201), Sight
Singing and Dictation
(MU213A), Advanced Music Theory I (MU 301) and Advanced Music Theory II (MU 401).
2. Composition: Music Composition (MU 213) and Advanced Music Composition (MU313).
3. Individual Piano Instruction: Minor Study Piano (MU 283).
4. Piano Classes: Beginning Piano Class I (MU 102), Beginning Piano Class II (MU 103),
Intermediate Piano Class I
(MU 202) and Intermediate Piano Class II (MU 203).
5. Director/Conductor: String Ensemble (MU255A), Wind/Mixed Ensemble (MU254B), and
Chamber Ensemble (MU 254).
6. Individual Instrumental Instructor: Major Instrumental Study (MU 373).
7. Independent Study: Music (MU 704): Advanced Theory I, II, III and IV; Introduction to
Composition, Composition,
and Distinction.
8. Philosophy: Introduction to Philosophy (SS 214); Introduction to Ethics (SS 215).
B. Louisiana School for Math, Science & the Arts--Philosophy Instructor, 2004-2008.
1. Philosophy: Introduction to Philosophy (SS214).
2. Ethics: Introduction to Ethics (SS215).
C. St. Norbert College--Music Instructor, 1997.
1. Theory: Counterpoint (MU H72).
2. Composition: Independent Study-Composition (MU H99).
D. Louisiana State University--Graduate Assistant, 1989-1993.
1. Composition: Introduction to Composition (MUS 2741) and Composition (MUS 3151).
2. Theory: Rudiments of Music (MUS 1799, substitute).
3. LSU New Music Ensemble: assistant to the director.
4.
LSU Electro-Acoustic Music Studios: technical assistant
.
E. Tulane University--Theory Assistant, 1983-1986
.
F. Private and group instruction in piano--
1981-1986, 1998-2004.
SPECIAL PROJECT OFFERINGS
(All of the following special projects were given at LSMSA.)
May 17-18 & 21-23, 2012: 007 and Changing Societal Views [with Mrs. Lisa Benner].
May 16-20, 2011: Golden Age of the American Musical Theatre [with Mrs. Lisa Benner].
Jan. 4-8, 2010: The Unanswered Question: Six Talks at Harvard by Leonard Bernstein [with
Mrs. Lisa Benner]
Jan. 5-9, 2009: The American Musical Theatre
[with Mrs. Lisa Benner]
Jan. 7-11, 2008: Leonard Bernstein s Young People s Concerts
[with Dr. Charles Jones and
Mrs. Lisa Benner]
Jan. 8-12, 2007: The Classical Piano
[with Dr. Charles Jones and Mrs. Lisa Benner]
Jan. 3-6, 2006: The American Musical Theatre
[with Mrs. Lisa Benner]
Jan. 3-7, 2005: The Five B's--Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Bartok and Benner [with Mrs. Lisa
Benner]
Jan. 5-9, 2004: Gilbert & Sullivan and the World of Victorian Light Opera
[with Dr. Victor Feske and Mrs. Lisa Benner]
Jan. 6-10, 2003: The American Musical Theatre
[with Mrs. Lisa Benner]
Jan. 7-11, 2002: The Five B's--Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Bartok and Benner [with Mrs. Lisa
Benner]
Jan. 3-9, 2001: Gilbert & Sullivan and the World of Victorian Light Opera
[with Dr. Victor Feske and Mrs. Lisa Benner]
Jan. 3-7, 2000: Femininity, Body Image, and the Media [with Dr. Granger Babcock]
REVIEW PANELS SELECTED FOR SERVICE
July 2010: Music Fellowship Panel Reviewer (2010-11) for the Louisiana Division of the
Arts and the State Arts Council.
07-18-06: Music Fellowship Panel (2006-07) for the Louisiana Division of the Arts and the
State Arts Council.
05-06-03: Arts-in-the Classroom Grants (2003-04) for the Louisiana Division of the Arts
and the State Arts Council.
05-15-02: Arts-in-the Classroom Grants (2002-03) for the Louisiana Division of the Arts
and the State Arts Council.
11-08-01: State Music Fellowships (2002) for the Louisiana Division of the Arts and the
State Arts Council.
COMMITTEES SERVED
(All of the following are with LSMSA.)
2012-2013: Chair of the Arts Department
Evaluation Review Committee
Curricular Initiatives Network
Rubric/Faculty Evaluations Committee
2011-2012: Evaluation Review Committee
Rubric/Faculty Evaluations Committee
Curricular Initiatives Network
Orchestra Committee for Graduation
2010-2011: Rubric/Faculty Evaluations Committee
Academic/Curricular Advisory Group
Curricular Initiatives Network [Chair]
Clean-up Committee for Graduation
2009-2010: Healthy Enrollment Network
Orchestra Committee for Graduation
2008-2009: Academic Honesty and Integrity Committee
Orchestra Committee for Graduation
2007-2008: Academic Honesty and Integrity Committee
External Review Committee
Curriculum Committee
Professional Issues Committee (sabbatical leave)
Orchestra Committee for Graduation
2006-2007: Advisory Committee (Director of External Affairs)
Professional Issues Committee (sabbatical leave)
Orchestra Committee for Graduation
2005-2006: Orchestra Committee for Graduation
2004-2005: Committee to Review Academic Advising
Final Selection Committee for Student Applicants
Orchestra Committee for Graduation
2003-2004: Professional Issues Committee (faculty evaluations)
Breakdown Committee for Graduation
2002-2003: Adjunct Faculty Compensation Committee
2001-2002: Adjunct Faculty Compensation Committee
Awards Committee for Graduation
2000-2001: Executive Director Search Committee
Awards Committee for Graduation
1999-2000: Special Projects Committee
Final Selection Committee for Student Applicants
Orchestra Committee for Graduation
SCHOLARSHIPS
Louisiana State University--Graduate teaching assistantship, 1989-1993.
Tulane University--Music department tuition waiver, 1983-1986.
University of Miami--Early admissions scholarship, 1971-1972.
GUEST PANELIST
10-26-02: Concerns of the Professional and Student Composer LSU and the University of
Alabama Joint Student
Conference, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.
03-23-02: Giants of the 20th Century--Louisiana Sinfonietta s Mini-Festival, Louisiana
State University, Baton Rouge, LA.
05-17-97: String Quartet in the 20th Century--Creativity in Baton Rouge: String Quartet
Festival of New Works from
Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA.
04-15-97: Young Composer s Workshop--New Music Festival 1997, Viterbo College, La Crosse,
WI.
10-05-96: The Independent Composer: The Composer Outside Academia--1996 SCI Region IV
Annual Conference,
St. Petersburg Junior College, St. Petersburg, FL.
CONFERENCE PAPERS PRESENTED
02-27-96: Establishing and running a music publishing company--The creation of Conners
Publications [Tulane University,
New Orleans, LA].
02-26-96: Charles E. Ives First Violin Sonata and his use of quotations [Southeastern
Louisiana University, Hammond, LA].
(All of the following lectures were given through the LSU Composers Forum Series, Baton
Rouge.)
02-26-96: Establishing and running a music publishing company--The creation of Conners
Publications.
07-19-93: Working with and writing for a jazz string quartet.
03-29-93: Intrada by Ellen Taaffe Zwilich.
11-02-92: The "forgotten" Roy Harris.
06-22-92: A selected chronology of the works of Charles E. Ives.
06-15-92: The First Violin Sonata by Charles E. Ives.
02-03-92: The use of hymn quotations in various works with a brief history of this style.
11-25-91: Characteristic traits in the music of Ellen Taaffe Zwilich.
02-04-91: The "American sound" as heard in Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring.
10-15-90: Sectionalizing Gyorgy Ligeti s Aventures.
MASTER CLASSES GIVEN
April, 2011 (scheduled): Composition Workshop, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge,
LA.
10-26-02: Composition Workshop--LSU and the University of Alabama Joint Student
Conference, Louisiana State
University, Baton Rouge, LA. [with Stepehen David Beck and Craig P. First] .
04-15-97: Young Composer s Workshop--New Music Festival, Viterbo College, La Crosse, WI.
[with Truman Hayes and
Tom Powell].
ADJUDICATOR
Judge (Fall 2011) for the MTNA s Southern Division Composition Competitions (Elementary,
Junior High, High School and
Young Artists) for 2012 awardees.
Judge (Fall 2008) for the MTNA s Southern Division Composition Competitions (Elementary,
Junior High, High School and
Collegiate) for 2009 awardees.
Judge (Fall 2002) for the MTNA s Southern Division Composition Competitions (Elementary,
Junior High, High School and
Collegiate) for 2003 awardees.
Judge (Fall 2002) for the MTNA s South Central Division Composition Competitions
(Elementary, Junior High, High School
and Collegiate) for 2003 awardees.
Judge for Second Annual Louisiana School Junior High Piano Competition (02-24-01).
Judge for First Annual Louisiana School Junior High Piano Competition (02-12-00).
EVALUATOR
Talent evaluator as of April 2011 for the State of Louisiana through the G/T program.
SELECTED PERFORMANCES
Please see the separate listing of Known Performances. Currently there have been 590
known performances.
On Mystical Wings ArtsFest 2011, Baton Rouge Community College.
Illumination (a) NSU Chamber Orchestra, Douglas Backenhaus, conducting, LMTA 2010 State
Conference, Natchitoches,
LA (b) Louisiana Sinfonietta, Dinos Constantinides conducting (2006), Baton Rouge, LA (c)
WRKF, 89.3 FM public
radio broadcast (1994), Baton Rouge, LA (d) LSU Philharmonia, Akira Mori conducting, 48th
Annual Festival of
Contemporary Music, LSU (1993), Baton Rouge, LA (e) WRKF, 89.3 FM public radio broadcast
(1992), Baton Rouge,
LA (f) Louisiana Sinfonietta (1992), New Orleans, LA (g) Louisiana Sinfonietta (1992),
Baton Rouge, LA.
Illumination Too--(a) Concert of LSU composers, Lousiana Sinfonietta (2011), Baton Rouge,
LA (b) Cosi Fan Tutti concert (1996),
Viterbo College, La Crosse, WI (c) New Music Festival 1996, Viterbo College, La Crosse,
WI (c) Louisiana Sinfonietta (1994)
in conjunction with LSU's 49th Annual Festival of Contemporary Music, LSU Union Theatre,
Baton Rouge, LA
(d) MIT Premiere Orchestra (1993), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA.
Through the Hymnal--Louisiana Music Teachers Association 2009 Conference, The University
of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Past and Future Visions (a) NACUSA 2008 National Concert, Eisemann Center for Performing
Arts, Countrywide Theatre,
Richardson, TX, (b) Dinos Constantinides and Stephen Brown concert (1991), Bruno Walter
Auditorium of the New
York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center, New York, NY (c) Tampa Bay
Composers Forum
(1991), St. Petersburg, FL.
Changes--Louisiana Sinfonietta (2007), Baton Rouge, LA.
Louisiana Sunshine--Rapides Symphony Orchestra (2006), Shreveport Symphony Orchestra
(2005), Lake Charles Symphony
Orchestra (2005), Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra (2005), Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
(2005), and the Monroe
Symphony Orchestra (2005).
The Carpenter-Wood Rag--(a) CMS/NACUSA National Conference, Kansas City, MO (b) The
Norwegian Music
Academy (2001), Oslo, Norway (c) Svelvik Hall (2001), Svelvik, Norway (d) Notodden
Gallery of Art (2001),
Notodden, Norway (e) Methodist Church at Hoenefoss (2001), Hoenefoss, Norway.
Praise--(a) St. Stefan s Cathedral (2001), The Vatican, Italy (b) The Memorial Church
(2001), Harvard University,
Cambridge, MA.
Ephesians 5:19--(a) St. Stefan s Cathedral (2001), The Vatican, Italy (b) The Memorial
Church (2001), Harvard University,
Cambridge, MA (c) The 1995 Baton Rouge International Heritage Festival, St. Joseph s
Cathedral, Baton Rouge, LA.
Etude on 3-Tones--(a) Iwona Glinka Concert (2002) of LSU Music, Sychrono Conservatory of
Athens, Athens, Greece
(b) Louisiana Sinfonietta concert (2001), Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans, LA (c)
Louisiana Sinfonietta
concert (2001), LSU Union Theatre, Baton Rouge, LA.
Five Variations for Piano--Louisiana Sinfonietta Solo Excursions (1998), Weill Recital
Hall at Carnegie Hall, New York,
NY.
Three Preludes--(a) First New Music North Festival (2001), Jean McNulty Recital Hall,
Lakehead University, Thunder Bay,
Ontario, Canada (b) String Quartet Festival of New Works from Baton Rouge (1997),
Pennington Center, Baton
Rouge, LA (c) New Music Alberta concert (1997), Alberta College, Edmonton, Canada.
Little Suite for Solo Violin--New Music Festival 1997, Viterbo College, La Crosse, WI.
Illumination Too--(a) Cosi Fan Tutti concert (1996), Viterbo College, La Crosse, WI (b)
New Music Festival 1996,
Viterbo College, La Crosse, WI (c) Louisiana Sinfonietta (1994) in conjunction with LSU's
49th Annual Festival of
Contemporary Music, LSU Union Theatre, Baton Rouge, LA (d) MIT Premiere Orchestra (1993),
Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA.
Reoccurrence (a) ArtsFest2010, Baton Rouge, LA (b) Southeastern Composer s League
Conference 2010, Louisiana Tech
University, Ruston, LA (c) LSU Composer s Forum 2009, Baton Rouge, LA (d) The Old and the
New concert series
(1998), University of Wisconsin Milwaukee.
Somewhere Alone--(a) Lakehead University New Music Ensemble concert (1997), Lakehead
University, Thunder Bay,
Ontario, Canada (b) 16th Annual Festival of Contemporary Music, Nicholls State University
(1993), Thibodaux, LA.
Serenade for Two--(a) B-C Festival of New American Music (1998), Cambridge, MA.
Reflections upon a Windowsill--18th Annual Festival of Contemporary Music, Nicholls State
University (1995), Thibodaux,
LA.
"Stone" Sonata--12th Annual Festival of Contemporary Music, Nicholls State Univ. (1989),
Thibodaux, LA.
"Grace" Quartet--(a) Soundscape Festival through the Contemporary Arts Center (1989), New
Orleans, LA.
Etude on C--50th Annual Festival of Contemporary Music, Louisiana State University
(1995), Baton Rouge, LA.
"McEntee" Septet I--(a) WTUL, 91.5 FM radio broadcast (1991), New Orleans, LA (b) WRKF,
89.3 FM public radio
broadcast (1991), Baton Rouge, LA (c) 46th Annual Festival of Contemporary Music,
Louisiana State University
(1991), Baton Rouge, LA.
Three Little Pieces for Piano--(a) Recital concert (1998), Binghamton, NY (b) 3rd Annual
Festival of New Music,
Contemporary Arts Center (1987), New Orleans, LA.
WORKS DISCUSSED BY OTHERS
Reoccurrence LSU Composers Forum (9-21-09), Solo cello works, Paul Christopher,
Louisiana State University,
Baton Rouge, LA.
Etude on 3-Tones Flute workshop (2-14-02) of Iwona Glinka, Ten Solo Flute Miniatures for
Iwona from LSU
Composers, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA..
"Stone" Sonata--Recital/lecture (6-10-98) of Carson Cooman, Binghamton, NY.
Ephesians 5:19--Lecture (3-01-94) of Wieslaw Rentowski, "Contemporary organ music written
after 1980 by Canadian,
American (Louisiana), and Polish composers," Concordia University, Montreal, Canada.
PUBLICATIONS INCLUDED IN
Christopher Atzinger, Martin Luther s 'Ein feste Burg' as used in works by American and
Canadian composers written between
1970 and 2004 (Doctoral dissertation, Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins
University, 2006).
Lloyd Bone and Eric Paull (eds.), Guide to the Euphonium Repertoire (Indiana University
Press, 2007).
John Henderson, A Directory of Composers for Organ, 2nd edition (United Kingdom: Royal
School of Church Music, 1999).
PIANO PERFORMANCE ACTIVITY
Louisiana School for Math Science, and the Arts (Natchitoches a) LSMSA Student
Recitals (2003) (b) Louisiana
Composers' Consortium concert #17 (2003) (c) Faculty Showcase (2003) (d) LSMSA Student
Recitals (2002)
(e) Louisiana Composers' Consortium concert #11 (2002) (f) Louisiana Composers'
Consortium concert #7 (2001)
(g) Louisiana Composers' Consortium concert #5 (2000) (h) Wind Ensemble Student Recital
concert (2000)
(i) Wind Ensemble concert (2000) (j) Louisiana Composers' Consortium concert #3 (2000)
(k) 2000 Martin Luther
King National Observance Day (l) 1999 Christmas concert Wind Ensemble concert (m) Faculty
Showcase (1999)
(n) Louisiana Composers' Consortium concert #1 (1999).
First United Methodist Church (a) Church services (2003) (b) Church services (2002),
Natchitoches, LA (c) Church
services (2000), Natchitoches, LA.
University of Southeastern Louisiana (Lafayette)--Louisiana School Composers and Friends
(1999).
Northwestern State University (Natchitoches, LA a) LSMSA 1999 Blue & Gold Day (b)
Louisiana School Composers
and Friends (1999/Spring) (c) Louisiana School Composers and Friends (1999/Fall).
First United Presbyterian Church--Church services (1997), De Pere, WI.
Wisconsin Alliance for Composers, Inc.--1996 Conference, University of Wisconsin-
Milwaukee, WI.
College Music Society, Southern Chapter--1991 Conference, Auburn University, Auburn, AL.
Society of Composers, Inc., LSU Chapter--(a) Spring 93 concert (b) Fall 92-2 concert
(c) Summer 92 concert (d) Spring
92-1 concert (e) Fall 91-2 concert (f) Fall 91-1 concert (g) Spring 91 concert (h)
Spring 89 concert. (All
performances in Baton Rouge, LA).
Louisiana State University--(a) Louisiana Composers Consortium concert #8 (2001) (b)
Louisiana Composers Consortium
concert #6 (2001) (c) Louisiana Composers Consortium concert #4 (2000) (d) Louis Wendt s
1993 M.M. recital
(e) 1992 LSU New Music Ensemble concert (f) 1992 Composers Forum (g) Jennifer
Potochnic s 1992 B.M. recital
(h) 1991 Composers Forum (i) David Campo s 1990 M.M. recital (j) 45th Annual Festival of
Contemporary Music
(1990) (k) Gail Carpenter s 1989 M.M. recital (l) 44th Annual Festival of Contemporary
Music (1989) (m) Recital Hour
(1989) (n) 1989 LSU New Music Ensemble concert. (All performances at the LSU Recital Hall
in Baton Rouge, LA).
MASTER CLASSES
Mildred Allen (1991)
Dinu Ghezzo (1989)
Yao Guan Rong (1992)
Milton Babbitt (1995)
Iwona Glinka (2002)
Jayn Rosenfeld (1993)
Adrian Baciu (1991)
Daniel Kessner (1989, 1993)
Ralph Shapey (1984)
Marshall Bialosky (1989, 1991)
David Ott (1994)
Phyllis Skoldberg (1992)
William Bolcom (1993)
David Penri-Evans (1990)
Janos Starker (1990)
John Cage (1992)
Raoul Pleskow (1992)
Nancy Van de Vate (1992)
Dinos Constantinides (1995)
Bernard Rands (1991)
Ellen Taaffe Zwilich (1989)
Kenneth Gaburo (1991)
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND OFFICES
National Association of Composers, U.S.A., 1994 to present.
--Editor of the national bulletin, Composer/USA, 1994 to present.
--Member of the National Advisory Board, 2002 to present.
--Founding President/Treasurer of the Mid-South Chapter, 1995.
Music Teachers National Association, 1998 to present.
--Louisiana Music Teachers Association, 1998 to present.
--LMTA s Commissioning Chair, 2000 to present.
Music Education National Conference, 2000 to present.
--Louisiana Music Education Association, 2000 to present.
American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers, 1992 to present.
College Music Society, 1991 to 2006.
Louisiana Composers Consortium, 1999 to present
.
--Founder and concert organizer
Southeastern Composers League, 1999 to present
.
Society for American Music (Sonneck Society), 1992 to 2006
.
Wisconsin Alliance for Composers, Inc
.
--Member of the Board of Directors,
1996-1999
Society of Composers, Inc., 1989 to 2006
.
--
President (LSU Chapter), 1991-1993
.
--Treasurer (LSU Chapter),
1989-1990
.
Tampa Bay Composers' Forum, 1991 to present
.
Wisconsin Composers Consortium, 1998.
--Founder and concert organizer
American Music Center, 1992-1997
.
American Composers Forum, 1996-1997
.
Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States, 1993-1996
.
Louisiana Composers Guild, 1986-1995
.
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
A. A & L Musical Enterprises, Inc.--1993 to present.
1. Editor of Conners Publications and CP Press Publications, publishing and promotion.
2.
Co-director of A & L Musical Services.
B. Louisiana Sinfonietta--2000 to present.
1. Member of the Advisory Board.
2. Public Relations Officer and Secretary to the Board, 1992-1993.
C. 21st Century Professionals, Inc
.--music software consultant, 1995.
D. Benner Insurance Services--sole proprietor, 1990-1994
.
E. The Acacia Group--financial services, 1987-1990
.
F. Margo Music--sole proprietor, promoter of "pop" music, 1986-1987
.
G. Werlein s for Music--management, 1980-1986
.
H. Walgreen s Restaurant--management, 1977-1980
.
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND OFFICES
Board Member, The Wesley Foundation, 2007 to present
--Chair, Finance Committee, 2007 to present.
Natchitoches/Northwestern Symphony Society, 1999-2001.
Lions Club International Foundation, Capital City Chapter, Louisiana, District 8-N, 1989-
1995.
--Immediate Past President, 1994-1995; President, 1993-1994; First Vice-President, 1992;
Third Vice-President, 1991-1992; Lion Tamer, 1990-1991. Awarded the Melvin Jones
Fellowship (1994), 100% President s Award (1994), and Lion of the Year (1992).
Lions Eye Foundation, 1989 to present, New Orleans, LA.
Lions League for Crippled Children Camp, 1989 to present, Leesville, LA.
Pi Kappa Lambda, Beta Lambda Chapter, 1991 to present.
United States Golf Association, 1984 to present.
SELECTED REVIEWS
Mauro Borelli, Giornale Romano Di Concerto Di Musica, The Vatican Journal, Italy
Next were two pieces by Albert Benner, an American composer. The first one was called
Praise
and was very spirited, with a bouncy rhythm throughout. The second was the more
substantial
of the two pieces and was called Ephesians 5:19 after the Bible passage. Containing
extracts of
American and German hymn tunes, linked together with a rondo passage based on parallel
fifths,
it was a wonderfully well-written piece that used a jazz-inflected harmonic language
brilliantly.
Dinos Constantinides, Music Director and Conductor, Louisiana Sinfonietta
There is purpose and direction in his music. His commissioned work by the Louisiana
Sinfonietta,
Illumination for string orchestra, demonstrated his tremendous ability to extract
wonderful colors
out of the special effects of various instruments.
Wolfgang Bottenberg, Professor of Composition, Concordia University
The "McEntee" Septet is a masterly crafted work of chamber music, very interesting to
listen to.
My favourite . . . work is the 3 for Three. Particularly the second movement is
unforgettable.
To make an idea work musically is not at all easy; here [he] really succeeded.
Mickie Willis, Education Program Director, LA Division of the Arts
Reflections upon a Windowsill for oboe and harp was a gorgeous, glistening piece that
showcased
idiomatic writing for both instruments, . . . The piece featured some extraordinarily
beautiful
melodic writing within a very warm and contemporary modal tonality.
Stephen B. Brown, Professor of Music, Murray State University
[He] is a skillful composer, whose compositions exhibit great intelligence and
craftsmanship.
The works I have performed were indeed very well received by audiences.
Reynolds Haywood, President of Selection Board, Khachaturian-Leeds Society
. . . "Stone" Sonata [is] a very exciting piece; the last movement is really masterful
in its creation of rhythmic excitement and nervous tension . . .
Cecilia P. Franklin, Past President, Louisiana Sinfonietta
We have [performed] several of his compositions with great success.
His writing style is very lucid and definitely programmable.
Charles E. Mize, Pastor, Union Congregational Church
Last Sunday s premiere of Psalm 100 was just incredible. What a gift for us here at
Union.
Both the composition and the performance were incredibly moving.
Stephen F. Austin, Director of Music Ministry, First Presbyterian Church
I most recently performed . . . [In My Father s Arms] written for the occasion of the
baptism
of his infant son. I found the piece very accessible and vocally approachable.
It was . . . appropriate for the church service -- and . . . a huge success.
Frank Gagnard, The Times-Picayune, New Orleans, LA
[Five Variations for Piano] is rich, rolling and elaborate, and its strong rhythmic and
bluesy
foundations suggest an updated and educated Gershwin prelude.
David Winograd, Hudson Valley Brass Quintet
The [arrangement of Go, Tell it on the Mountain] piece was a BIG SUCCESS. The guys
LOVED the arrangement and played it beautifully! The upper east side of NY church was
PACKED. The piece was a highlight of the service.
COMPOSITIONS
(All works [unless indicated] are either published or available through Conners
Publications).
2011: Prelude in C minor
keyboard
Chaos
trumpet sextet
Lips to Kiss
voice and piano
Chaos
alto saxophone septet
Chaos
3 trumpets and 3 alto saxophones
Chaos
piano
Dancin on the County Line
flute, 3 alto saxophones, tenor saxophone
Dancin on the County Line
saxophone quintet
2010: Arr. of Go, Tell It on the Mountain
saxophone quartet (3 altos, tenor)
Dancin on the County Line
string bass and piano
Dancin on the County Line
string quintet
2009: 3 C s for 2
horn duet
3 C s for 2
horn and euphonium
Idyll
euphonium and piano
Through the Hymnal
piano duet
Rockin the Dirty Dog
3 flutes, 2 clarinets, 2 alto saxes, 1 tenor sax (manuscript)
Mary and Her Little Lamb
mixed ensemble (manuscript)
Praise
violin, oboe, bassoon, cello, trumpet, horn, euphonium (manuscript)
Arr. of Giordani s Caro mio ben
violin, oboe, bassoon, cello, trumpet, horn, euphonium (manuscript)
Arr. of Grieg s Waltz
violin, oboe, bassoon, cello, trumpet, horn, euphonium
Arr. of Grieg s Springtanz
violin, oboe, bassoon, cello, trumpet, horn, euphonium
Arr. of Grieg s Ases Tod
violin, oboe, bassoon, cello, trumpet, horn, euphonium
Arr. of Beethoven s Minuet
3 flutes, 2 clarinets, 2 alto saxes, 1 tenor sax
Etude on 3-Tones
euphonium
2008: Blessed Sacrament
brass trio
For Honor
brass trio
From the Past
violin and cello
2007: Psalm 117
SATB choir and piano
From the Past
clarinet and bassoon
Psalm 117
2 violins and 2 cellos (manuscript)
Arr. of Bach s Two-Part Invention #4 in D minor
violin and cello (manuscript)
2006: Arr. of Handel s Marche
brass quintet
Arr. of Go, Tell It on the Mountain
string quartet
A Psalm of Life
voice and piano
Blessed Sacrament
string trio
A.G.
bassoon solo; oboe solo
2005: Backwoods Hoe-down
string trio
Fugue in A minor
string trio
2004: Louisiana Sunshine
orchestra (not available)
A.G.
clarinet solo; flute solo; saxophone solo
Blessed Sacrament
organ
From the Past
flute and euphonium
2003: Arr. of Go, Tell It on the Mountain
brass quartet
Arr. of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
alto saxophone and piano
For Honor
clarinet trio
The Request
voice and piano
Arr. of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
voice and keyboard
Arr. of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
keyboard (organ or piano)
Paean
trumpet and piano
Mary and Her Little Lamb
piano four-hands
For Honor
alto sax trio
Wood Dancing
alto sax trio and cello (manuscript)
Arr. of We Shall Overcome
alto sax trio and cello (manuscript)
2002: Psalm 117
SATB choir, trumpet and organ
From the Past
flute and (bass) trombone; oboe and bassoon
Fanfare
organ, brass quartet and string quartet
Fugue in C minor
saxophone trio
A Psalm of Life
alto sax trio
Into the Jungle: An Interval Exploration
string quartet
Through the Ages
flute and (bass) trombone; oboe and bassoon
2001: LSMSA Junior Processional
mixed chamber ensemble
How Sweet the Sound
organ
Etude on 3-Tones
solo saxophone and strings
Etude on 3-Tones
solo clarinet and strings
Etude on 3-Tones
solo oboe and strings
Etude on 3-Tones
solo flute and strings
Fugue in C minor
string trio
2000: Arr. of America
brass trio; flute trio
Idyll
horn and piano
Ed. of A.P. Heinrich s
The Minstrel's Vote for President
piano
Ed. of A.P. Heinrich s
The Four Pawed Kitten Dance
piano duet
Ed. of A.P. Heinrich s
The Embarkation March
piano
Etude on 3-Tones
oboe
Three Jazz Preludes
piano
1999: Into the Jungle: An Interval Exploration
piano
Wood Dancing
3 violins and cello
Praise
organ
Ephesians 5:19
piano
Etude on 3-Tones
clarinet
Etude on 3-Tones
saxophone
Etude on 3-Tones
flute
1998: St. Norbert College Alma Mater
SATB choir and band (available at SNC)
Ed. of A.P. Heinrich s
Vivat Britain s Fair! a Wedding Reel
piano
Ed. of A. P. Heinrich s
Where s the Home or the Exile s Reflection
voice and piano
1997: Ed. of A.P. Heinrich s
The Debarkation March
piano
Through a Baby s Eyes
voice and piano
Through a Baby s Eyes
baritone and piano
St. Norbert College Alma Mater
voice and piano (available at SNC)
"Grace" Variations
cello duet
"Grace" Variations
violin and cello
1996: Psalm 100
voice and piano
Ed. of R. Hannah s The Lord s Prayer
SATB choir and organ
Psalm 117 (1981; rev.)
SATB a cappella choir
Psalm 117
SATB choir and organ
Serenade for Two
trombone and piano
1995: Serenade for Two (1990; rev.)
euphonium and piano
In My Father s Arms
voice and piano
Little Suite for Solo Violin
violin solo
Repetition
violin solo
1994: Generations
soprano, tenor, and orchestra
Wedding Day
soprano and chamber ensemble
1993: A Psalm of Life
SATB a cappella choir
Etude on C
viola solo
Etude on G
violin solo
Illumination Too
string orchestra
Wood Dancing
jazz string quartet
A Psalm of Life
SSA a cappella choir
Double Sided Licorice
clarinet and computer tape
Three Preludes
jazz string quartet
"Easter" Quintet for Brass (1985; rev.)
brass quintet
1992: Patterns
computer tape
Ephesians 5:19
organ
Reflections upon a Windowsill
flute and string quartet, quintet, or orchestra
Reflections upon a Windowsill
oboe and string quartet, quintet, or orchestra
Awakenings (1991; rev.)
violin and piano
Choices
voice and string bass
3 for Three
oboe, clarinet and bassoon
1991: Arr. of F. Delius
Summer night on the river and
On hearing the first Cuckoo in Spring
violin (or flute) and piano
Reflections upon a Windowsill
flute and harp
Reflections upon a Windowsill
oboe and harp
Reflections upon a Windowsill
flute and piano
Reflections upon a Windowsill
oboe and piano
The Carpenter-Wood Rag
soprano saxophone and piano
Illumination
string orchestra
Past and Future Visions
violin and piano
1990: Changes
flute, oboe, Eng. horn, 2 clarinets, bassoon, contrabssn
"McEntee" Septet I (1986; rev.)
flute, Eng. horn, clarinet, violin, viola, cello, string bass
Reoccurrence
cello solo
"Grace" Variations
violin duet
Rhythmization
computer tape
3-Part Invention in C Minor
keyboard
Fantasia--"On Angels Wings"
violin solo
Tempus Fugit
computer tape
1989: Sunday Morning Service
tape
The Carpenter-Wood Rag
clarinet and piano
To an Unborn Soul
solo flute and chamber ensemble
To an Unborn Soul
flute and piano
Somewhere Alone
voice and piano
"Grace" Quartet
string quartet
1988: Faith
string quartet
1987: Influences
chamber orchestra
Three Little Pieces for Piano
piano
1986: "McEntee" Septet
flute, Eng. horn, clarinet, violin, viola, cello, string bass
1985: Five Variations for Piano
piano
"Stone" Sonata
piano
1981: Arr. of Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
SATB a cappella choir
1980: You Are a Rose
voice and piano
PERSONAL
Married: 2 boys (Albert: 3-7-95; Nicholas: 1-24-97)
Wife: Lisa M. [Choral/Voice; Louisiana School for Math, Science & the Arts]
Member of the First United Methodist Church of Natchitoches; Adult Sunday School Leader
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