NEWS & PROJECTS ARCHIVE

John to create Orchestral Show for Blues artist Edwin Holt

July 2008 - John has been engaged to create a new show for acclaimed Blues and Soul artist Edwin Holt. The show will be called "Edwin Holt's Blues Review". Check the artist's website for more info, and look for the show to come to a venue near you!

Strata Big Band on YouTube

July 2008 - You can view two YouTube videos of John's Strata Big Band from the Wildflower Festival here and here. Enjoy!

Strata Big Band @ the McKinney Arts & Jazz Festival

June 2008 - John's Strata Big Band closed the festivities at the McKinney Arts & Jazz Festival on the downtown square on Sunday, June 8 at at 5 pm. Here are a few shots, courtesy of fan Bruce Hatherly.

Silver Celebration Overture premiered in honor of conductor George Jones
May 2008 - The Richardson Community Band honored conductor George Jones with the commissioning of John Wasson's Silver Celebration Overture at the Eisemann Center in Richardson Texas on May 11. John conducted the band in their premiere performance. Congratulations to Mr. Jones on his twenty five years of leadership with the band!

Another hit for the Loveland Jazz Ensemble
The Loveland (OH) Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Bruce Maegly, has recently premiered a new arrangement by John entitled, "Ellington: Beyond Category." This year's commission featured not only the Jazz Ensemble, but included additional percussion performers and a string section as well! John has created a new, unique arrangement for the ensemble each spring for the past several years.

New Commission by the Air Force Academy Band
February 2008 - John has been commissioned by the US Air Force Academy Band to create a new original work featuring Brass Quintet with Concert Band. Following the great success of his previous work "Tangents" (originally commissioned by the Dallas Brass and premiered at the Midwest Clinic in Chicago in 1989), this new endeavor will add to genre increasing in popularity as more chamber groups tour and record with large ensembles. We'll keep you informed about this new project.

Sea Song Fantasy Premiered by Symphonicity

November 2007 - John's latest orchestral work, Sea Song Fantasy, was premiered by Symphonicity (the Symphony Orchestra of Virginia Beach) at the grand opening of the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts in Virginia Beach, VA on November 18, 2007. For more info see the Symphonicity website.

Festival Fanfare for Christmas Premiered by River City Brass Band

October 2007 - John was commissioned to arrange his very popular Christmas orchestra work "Festival Fanfare for Christmas" by the River City Brass Band for their 2007 Christmas holiday season. This work will be made available for purchase at a later date, with a Concert Band version to follow. You can hear the original work as recorded by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra on their Dallas Christmas Gala CD.

Christmas Carol Choir arrangements are available!

October 2007 - As promised, John Wasson Music is releasing the a capella choir arrangements of Christmas Carols from the Irving Bible Church/Evantell "Carol's Story" CD from last year. For inquiries send us an email.

Brass Grooves is released

July 2007 – The Dallas Brass has just released a brand-new project entitled Brass Grooves. Featuring 12 original compositions by John Wasson and recorded by the Dallas Brass, this new product will be an exciting addition to the small ensemble repertoire. Go to the Brass Grooves website for details and ordering information.

Charles Lazarus "A Night in the Tropics" show a smash hit!

July 2007 – Charles Lazarus, along with his jazz quintet and the Minnesota Orchestra, debuted his new show entitled "A Night in the Tropics" on Saturday evening, July 21. The concert was a resounding success, with several standing ovations (including one at the end of the first half!) by a wildly enthusiastic audience. Check back here for links to reviews and further information in the weeks to come. Click here for more infor on Charles and the Tropics show.

The Strata Big Band tears it up at Maple Point

July 2007 – The Strata Big Band made their first public appearance in a while at the Maple Point jazz club in Dallas on Sunday afternoon, July 8. A good time was had by all! The band was in top form, and the crowd was appreciative. Click here to see the photos!

Dallas Brass "American Musical Journey" CD released

March 2007 – The Dallas Brass have released their latest recording. In addition to producing the CD, John contributed 7 new arrangements to the project.  For more details and ordering information, see the Dallas Brass website.

"The Carols' Story" CD released!

November 2006 – The Carols' Story Christmas CD project has been released and is finding an enthusiastic audience. Recorded by the Vox Humana Choir of Irving Bible Church, the CD is available from the Evantell website. All the carol arrangements from this CD, written by John and his wife Gail Wasson, are available for purchase; stay tuned to the website for details, or email us for more information.

American Fanfare for Brass Quintet to be published

September 2006 – American Fanfare was the first piece written specifically for the debut CD release of the Dallas Brass back in 1987. It has been a staple of the group for nearly 20 years, as well as appearing in versions for Concert Band, Brass Band, and Marching Band. John Wasson Music is excited to announce the upcoming release of the quintet version in print publication. Stay tuned to this website or send an email for more info!

Chicago Symphony to perform a Wasson orchestra work

September 2006 – The  Chicago Symphony Orchestra will be opening its holiday concert with John's Hark the Herald Trumpets Sing in eight performances this December.

On the road again with the Dallas Brass

September 2006 – John will once again join the Dallas Brass for a 7-concert tour of Montana in the first two weeks of October. Check the Dallas Brass website for cities and dates.

New Euphonium Solo Work Premiered

May 2006 – On the evening of May 16 the Wind Ensemble of Evans Middle School in McKinney, Texas under the direction of Lisa Smith premiered John's "Sleuth" solo feature for Euphonium and Wind Ensemble; Karl Krause was the featured euphonium soloist. For more information on this work, send us an email (orange link above).

New Orchestral Work Premiered at Easter by Lake Pointe Church

April 2006 - Lake Pointe Church in Rockwall, Texas commissioned John to compose a new work for live orchestra with video media elements, and premiered it at 3 services over Easter weekend.

PraiseHymns Vol. 1 CD and Arrangements Released

April 2006 – John contributed orchestrations to the new PraiseHymns Vol. 1 CD, released in April. You can hear audio examples and see the scores and parts at the Praise Charts site.

Further collaboration with jazz artist Charles Lazarus

January 2006 - Following the successful release of his highly-acclaimed CD Solo Settings, Charles Lazarus has engaged John to assist him in the creation of a new orchestra show to be toured nationally.

Praise Carols promotion a success; Praise Hymns in production

January 2006 – The release of the Praise Carols Christmas CD and acompanying orchestrations was a great success. Praise Charts will now release a similar project, Praise Hymns, in time for Easter 2006. Working with Dan Galbraith, producer and chief arranger, John will again supply several orchestrations.

John to create orchestra arrangements for Big Texas Swing Band

January 2006 - Dave Alexander, leader of the Big Texas Swing Band, has invited John to create a live orchestra show for the group.

Groundbreaking Ceremony for Dallas Performing Arts Center a success

November 2005 – John took part as composer, arranger, and co-conductor of a large (38 piece) ceremonial brass ensemble to celebrate the groundbreaking for the new Dallas Center for the Performing Arts Opera House and Theatre. Also on hand were Laura Miller, mayor of Dallas, and keynote speaker and renowned actor Tommy Lee Jones.

John joins the Dallas Brass for two tours in Fall 2005

September/December 2005 - John hit the road as Tuba performer with the Dallas Brass for a month-long tour that included Alaska as well as dates North Carolina and Tennessee. You can view a picture gallery from the Alaska portion of the trip. He also rejoined the group as a sub in early December for a brief tour in South Dakota and Iowa.

Wasson creates theme for His Nature television show

May 2005 - John has been engaged by Kids Equip Ministries to create a theme for their new children's nature show, His Nature. The program will be broadcast weekly on the Sky Angel Satellite Television network.

John joins forces with Praise Charts as arranger and orchestrator
April 2005 – John recently joined the online publishing house Praise Charts as an arranger and orchestrator. The company has experienced explosive growth in the past couple of years, and John has already created more than 20 arrangements for full orchestra to correspond with the CD releases of such prominent worship artists as Lincoln Brewster, Newsong, and Lakewood Church.

Fanfare Cinematique premiered for the grand unveiling of the architectural designs for the new Dallas Center for the Performing Arts Foundation Opera House and Theatre

June 2004 - The Dallas Opera Orchestra premiered John's Fanfare Cinematique, a new commission for a special evening in which The Dallas Center for the Performing Arts Foundation unveiled the designs for the new Opera House and Theater in Dallas. On hand for the festivities that evening were such luminaries as academy-award winning actor Sidney Poitier, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and his wife Gene, and Dallas Mayor Laura Miller. The Foundation has engaged John to create music for a variety of events throughout the campaign.

Gary P. Nunn performs John's orchestrations with the Richardson Symphony

March 2005 – John had the opportunity to orchestrate several songs of Texas country music legend Gary P. Nunn for a concert performed by Gary and his band with members of the Richardson Symphony.

Artistic collaboration with Charles Lazarus, Canadian Brass trumpet artist

January 2005 - John got the opportunity to hook up with friend and former Dallas Brass colleague Charles Lazarus, who has recently joined the renowned Canadian Brass. John assisted Chuck with music preparation to coincide with the release of Chuck's new critically-acclaimed CD release, Solo Settings. John is currently working on some new music for Chuck's next CD release, already in the planning stages!

John Wasson writes string arrangement for the Gatlin Bros. between rehearsal and performance

January 2004 - When the Gatlin Bros. came to perform with the Richardson Symphony they lacked just one arrangement. They asked John to put together a string accompaniment for their song Walkin' the Floor Over You. John wrote the arrangment after the rehearsal, and brought it back that evening, where Gatlins and orchestra members read it together on the concert!

New original concert works created for Colorado Middle Schools

October 2003- John was commissioned by middle schools in Monument, Colorado to compose both a new original jazz ensemble work and a new concert band feature for trombone section. More information on Cabo Rojo Blues and Departure is available at the Works link above.

"Symphony on the Range" concert features hot contemporary country artists with the McKinney Symphony Orchestra

September 2002 – John had the opportunity to create several orchestral arrangements for a concert of country artists that took place at Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas. Artists included: Bruce Robeson, Kelly Willis, Jack Ingram, Radney Foster, and Allison Moorer. The concert concluded with a stirring rendition of Amazing Grace which gathered all artists on the stage together for an uplifting climax to the evening.

Dallas Symphony records two Wasson works on Dallas Christmas Gala CD

September 2000 – Two of John's commissioned works will be included on the Dallas Symphony's Delos International CD release, Dallas Christmas Gala.Bellsong Fantasy and Festival Fanfare for Christmas, are available as rental works from John Wasson Music.