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John Berners, Composer
John Berners (b. 1961, Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is an American composer of contemporary classical music and associate professor of theory and composition at the University of Indianapolis.

Background
Berners holds a B.M. in music performance and a B.A. in mathematics from Northwestern University. Following studies in trombone with Frank Crisafulli at Northwestern, Berners went on to earn an M.M. and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, studying composition with C. Curtis-Smith, Evan Chambers, William Albright, Bright Sheng, Michael Daugherty, and William Bolcom. He has previously served on the faculties of the University of Iowa, American University, Colburn School for the Arts, California State University at Fullerton, Kalamazoo College, and Interlochen Arts Camp. From his first orchestral work, The Last Days of Calvin and Hobbes, to his chamber piece, Twinkle Toes, the music of Berners shows a fondness for the irreverent and a fascination with American music from bebop to marching bands.

Performances and Commissions
Berners’ works have been performed by the Detroit Symphony, the Virginia Symphony, Kiev Philharmonic, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Boston Symphony Brass, the Ronen Ensemble, Brave New Works, Ensemble SurPlus, Xanthos, and many university ensembles. His works have been featured at festivals such as Tanglewood, June in Buffalo, Music X, Denison University Tutti, and the Missouri New Music Festival. Additional honors include the Gold Medal in Art Song in the 2014 Boston Metro Opera International Composers Competition, winning the Concerto Competition of the Symposium Franco-Européen de la Trompette, nomination by the American Academy of Arts and Letters for a Charles Ives Fellowship, and a "Meet the Composer" grant with the Ronen Ensemble. He has won ASCAP concert music awards annually and received a Rackham Predoctoral Fellowship and Humanities Fellowship from the University of Michigan. In 2010 Berners' work was featured on a concert named no. 1 on the list of "Top 5 Classical Performances" by the Indianapolis Star. Recent commissions have been issued from the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, the Ronen Ensemble, the Indiana Music Teachers Association and the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater and Dance/Museum of Art Concert Series.

List of Works
Orchestra

Concerto for Trumpet and Orchestra (2005/2013)

In Rowan Oak (2010)

Zoot Suite (2003)

Field Day (2001)

Monaco (2001) (solo euphonium with strings, piano & percussion)

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison (1999)

The Last Days of Calvin and Hobbes (1996)

Vocal

Study on Peter (2013) cycle for solo voice

Der Beste Freunde (2012) for voice and piano

Cabaret Songs (2011) set for voice, clarinet and bayan (or piano)

Two Italian Songs (1999) voice and harpsichord

Little Clown, My Heart (1997) cycle for soprano and chamber ensemble (or piano)

Piano

Star Harp Tender (2013)

Zoot Suite (2001)

Whimsy Prelude (2000)

Mazurka (1999)

Chamber Music

Fanfare: A Boundless Moment (2013) brass quartet and organ

scéne d’adieu (2012) violin and piano

Low Hanging Fruit (2010) brass quintet, piano and percussion

Twinkle Toes (2009) flute, violin, cello and percussion

Common American Phrases (2009) clarinet, cello and percussion

Moonrays on Marin (2009) baroque flute and two C flutes

Divertimento (2008) oboe, trombone, double bass

The Mockingbird (2006/8) piccolo, oboe, piano

Tombeau C.P.E. (2004/7) solo flute

Bela’s Village (2006/7) woodwind quintet

Brass Quintet (2006)

Praeludium (2002) string quartet with flute, clarinet, harp, piano

Piccolos and Plungers (1998) flute, sax, trumpet, trombone, piano, two percussion

The Late, Late Movie on Channel 88 (1996) brass and percussion

What Birds See (1981) large brass ensemble

Wind Ensemble

The Late, Late Movie on Channel 88 (2014) wind ensemble

Snow Angels (2007) symphonic winds

What Birds See (1995) symphonic wind ensemble