News
Winner of the 2018 ABA Otswald Competition
Stephenson’s Symphony No. 2 – VOICES wins the esteemed 2018 Sousa/ABA/Ostwald competition, sponsored by the American Bandmasters Association. This comes on the heels of winning the 2017 National Band Association/KHS…
Grammy-nominated CD!
“Liquid Melancholy – clarinet music of James M. Stephenson” (John Yeh, clarinet) is a GRAMMY-NOMINATED CD! The decision for “Best Engineered Album, Classical” will occur on February 10, 2019 at…
Chicago Symphony Announces New Commission by Jim Stephenson
Very excited to officially announce that I will be writing a new bass trombone concerto for Charlie Vernon, to be premiered by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of…
Current Projects
ROCOmotive
“ROCOmotive” – a commission for the Houston-based River Oaks Chamber Orchestra (ROCO), this work will be based on miniature trains. The concert will include the world premiere on February 23, 2019, and will be conducted by Brett Mitchell. Tickets
Multi-media Tone Poem
Multi-media tone poem for the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Mark Russell Smith. World premiere on April 6-7, 2019. The work will involve local photography, art, poetry and original music to tell the rich history of the Quad Cities. Tickets
Symphony #3
Stephenson’s first symphony for orchestra (his first two are for wind ensemble) will receive its world premiere on April 26, 2019, as commissioned/premiered by the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. Details forthcoming.
Bass Trombone Concerto
Chicago Symphony/Muti world premiere of bass trombone concerto for Charlie Vernon. Three concerts – June 13-15, 2019. Stephenson will receive his first classical world premiere from the orchestra he grew up listening to! Tickets
Recent Releases
Upcoming Conducting Engagements
As a conductor, Jim offers a wide variety of options, that can lead to more efficient rehearsal and intimate collaboration. Whether premiering a new orchestral work, or directing several works in a festival/college-residency setting, or simply leading a non-Stephenson program, he offers a composer’s insight that otherwise might go untapped, creating a rewarding experience for both performers and audience-members.
Additionally, with his experience and large catalog as an arranger, you can have Jim conduct your themed Pops concert, and bring all of his own arrangements/original works, making for a complete package deal!
Upcoming Residencies
Increasingly in demand as a college guest lecturer, Jim has appeared at many colleges and universities across the United States, where he presents talks, master-classes, coachings, and lessons in group or individual settings.
In recent years, these appearances include Ball State University, Indiana University, Indiana Wesleyan University, Kennesaw State University, North Dakota State University, SUNY-Fredonia, University of Massachusetts/Amherst, University of Michigan, University of North Texas, University of Wisconsin-Platteville, and Wyoming University.
Residencies are tailored to each institution’s needs but they commonly entail the following:
- Conducting the organization’s ensemble(s)
- Masterclasses/lectures with students
- Public/private events with donors and/or board members
- Pre/Post concert talks, engagement
- Private composition lessons (may require additional fees)
Jim will be a guest composer at the University of North Carolina School for the Arts, which will culminate in a performance of his 2nd Symphony - VOICES, for wind ensemble. Jim will attend rehearsals, and meet with student composers while in residency. More on Symphony #2 - VOICES
Every spring Roosevelt University's Music Conservatory Wind Ensemble and Composition program features a guest composer. The one-day residency consists of four 45-minute composition lessons, a 75-minute presentation to the Composition Seminar, and the Wind Ensemble's dress rehearsal and concert (on which Jim Stephenson's compositions would be featured) Conducted by Stephen Squires.
The world premiere of Stephenson's first orchestral symphony (Symphony #3). [his first two are for wind ensemble] To be conducted by Alexander Magalong.
Washburn University Wind Ensemble to perform Hanging by a Thread and Symphony No. 1