GEORGE ALBERT BENNER, D.M.A.
Louisiana School for Math, Science and the
Arts
715 University Parkway
Natchitoches, LA 71457
(o): 318/357-2537 (f): 318/357-3299
abenner@lsmsa.edu
http://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, 1994-2010.
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
A piano duet by the Louisiana Music Teachers Association for the 2009
Composers Commissioning Award
Program to
be 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].
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), Advanced Music Theory I
(MU 301) and Advanced
Music Theory II (MU 401).
2. Composition: Music Composition (MU 213).
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
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. St. Norbert College--Music Instructor, 1997.
1. Theory: Counterpoint (MU H72).
2. Composition: Independent Study-Composition (MU
H99).
C. 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.
D. Tulane University--Theory Assistant, 1983-1986.
E. Private and group instruction in piano--1981-1986, 1998 to present.
SPECIAL PROJECT OFFERINGS
(All of the following special projects were given at LSMSA.)
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
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.)
2009-2010: Healthy Enrollment Network Committee
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
10-26-00: A. P. Heinrich, the "Beethoven of America" (with Dr. Charles Jones) at the
Louisiana Music Teachers
Association 2000 Conference, The University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
GUEST LECTURES
10-20-01: A. P. Heinrich, the "Beethoven of America" (with Dr. Charles Jones)
[Academic Required Weekend, Louisiana
School for Math, Science and the Arts].
11-17-99: The Role of Publisher and Composer Combined [University of Wisconsin
La Crosse].
03-25-98: An introduction to the music of Charles E. Ives [Viterbo College, La
Crosse, WI; and repeated at the University of
Wisconsin La Crosse].
03-24-98: An introduction to the music of Charles E. Ives [University of
Wisconsin La Crosse].
04-24-96: An introduction to Ellen Taaffe Zwilich [Viterbo College, La Crosse,
WI].
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
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 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).
SELECTED PERFORMANCES
Please see the separate listing of Known Performances.
Currently there have been 560 known performances.
Past and Future
Visions—(a) NACUSA
2008 National Concert, Eisemann
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.
Illumination--(a) Louisiana Sinfonietta, Dinos Constantinides conducting
(2006), Baton Rouge, LA (b) WRKF, 89.3 FM
public radio broadcast (1994), Baton
Rouge, LA (c) LSU Philharmonia, Akira Mori conducting, 48th Annual Festival
of Contemporary Music, LSU (1993),
Baton Rouge, LA (d) WRKF, 89.3 FM public radio broadcast (1992), Baton
Rouge, LA (e) Louisiana Sinfonietta
(1992), New Orleans, LA (f) Louisiana Sinfonietta (1992), 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.
Étude 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--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.
Étude 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
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.,
1995 to present.
--Vice-President, 1998-1999
--Newsletter Editor, 1997-1999.
--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 Westminster 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).
|
2009: Rockin’ the Dirty Dog |
3 flutes, 2 clarinets, 2 alto saxes, 1 tenor sax |
|
Praise |
violin, oboe, bassoon, cello, trumpet, horn, euphonium (manuscript) |
|
Arr. of Giordani’s Caro mio ben |
violin, oboe, bassoon, cello, trumpet, horn, euphonium |
|
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 |
|
Étude on 3-Tones |
euphonium |
|
2008: Blessed Sacrament |
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 |
|
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 |
|
Étude on 3-Tones |
solo saxophone and strings |
|
Étude on 3-Tones |
solo clarinet and strings |
|
Étude on 3-Tones |
solo oboe and strings |
|
Étude 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 |
piano |
|
Ed. of A.P. Heinrich’s |
piano duet |
|
Ed. of A.P. Heinrich’s |
piano |
|
Étude 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 |
|
Étude on 3-Tones |
clarinet |
|
Étude on 3-Tones |
saxophone |
|
Étude on 3-Tones |
flute |
|
1998: St. Norbert College Alma Mater |
SATB choir and band (available at SNC) |
|
Ed. of A.P. Heinrich’s |
piano |
|
Ed. of A. P. Heinrich’s |
voice and piano |
|
1997: Ed. of A.P. Heinrich’s |
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 |
|
Étude on C |
viola solo |
|
Étude 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 |
|
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’ |
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
D.O.B.: 1-19-55; Spartanburg, SC
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