Where Are They Now? spotlights Minnesota Varsity Featured and Showcase Artists from 2011 to 2014.
John Walker of Burnsville, Minn. was a Minnesota Varsity 2014 Featured Composer. He recently updated Classical MPR's Christine Sweet with his latest news.
John Walker, 2014 Featured Composer
Age: 18
Hometown: Burnsville, Minn.
Attends: University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minn.
I am pursuing a major in physics with a possible minor in computer science.
My Minnesota Varsity experience really encouraged me to continue with my passion for writing music. It gave me confidence in myself, and it provided me things I should work on to improve as well.
Shortly after I was finished with Minnesota Varsity, I saw the premiere of my first piece with my high school concert band, entitled "Grace." While it was well received, it was another way for me to see what I still have to work on. Last spring as a whole was really just a beginning for what I hope will turn into a very successful hobby, if not a career.
Last summer, I finished another piece called "Rapture of the Rain" for string orchestra and solo viola. In addition, I have a choral piece that is nearly finished and a few sketches for a solo piano piece I hope to finish this winter. I hope my time at St. Thomas will influence me to write much more.
Finally, I made it into the Symphonic Winds Ensemble at St. Thomas (playing tenor saxophone), so I would encourage anyone who reads this to attend our big Christmas concert at Orchestra Hall, December 7th at 4PM and 7:30PM!
(MIDI versions of two of Walker's works — Grace and Rapture of the Rain — can be heard by clicking the links at the right)
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