John Secunde (b. 1995) is an American composer and performer hailing from Limerick, Maine. He has written a variety of solo works, chamber music, vocal music, and works for large ensembles. Drawing inspiration from poetry, rock music, and the natural world, Mr. Secunde writes music that combines intricate compositional means with raw, energetic ends. He has been commissioned by the Fredonia Jazz Workshop, and Novus New Music Inc. to write a concerto for saxophonist Connor Mikula and band. He is the winner of the 2017 Ethos Laureate Prize for Field Guide to Hell, and his piece for solo viola, Introduction and Toccata, was the winner of the 2015 Fredonia Composition Competition. Mr. Secunde's music has been performed by violist David Rose, the Fredonia Concert Band, cellist John Chatterton, and saxophonist Jeff Humphrey. He recently completed a B.M. in Music Composition at the State University of New York at Fredonia, where he studied with Sean Doyle, Karl Boelter, and Andrew Martin Smith, and participated in masterclasses with Jennifer Higdon and Kenneth Froelich. He is currently pursuing a MM in Composition as a Presidential Scholar at the Longy School of Music where he is studying with Osnat Netzer.
In addition to his composing, Mr. Secunde is active as a performer with his new music group Drive(J:), which he formed with fellow composers Jason Handron, John Jansen, and Jared Yackiw in 2016. He also has performed with the 207 Wind Orchestra and the bands at SUNY Fredonia.
Mr. Secunde is a member of ASCAP and Society of Composers Inc, and his music is published by Thousand String Harp Music (ASCAP). When he is not composing, John enjoys reading, collecting wheat pennies, and long walks - preferably not on the beach. He currently resides in Boston, MA.
In addition to his composing, Mr. Secunde is active as a performer with his new music group Drive(J:), which he formed with fellow composers Jason Handron, John Jansen, and Jared Yackiw in 2016. He also has performed with the 207 Wind Orchestra and the bands at SUNY Fredonia.
Mr. Secunde is a member of ASCAP and Society of Composers Inc, and his music is published by Thousand String Harp Music (ASCAP). When he is not composing, John enjoys reading, collecting wheat pennies, and long walks - preferably not on the beach. He currently resides in Boston, MA.