Concert Program

Limitation & Locomotion by Jonah Cohen *world premiere*
Homage to Paradise Valley by Jeff Scott
For All We Know by Nina Simone

~Intermission~ 

In Excess, Everything Suffers for Akropolis and Flugelhorn by Kris Johnson *world premiere*
An American in Paris by George Gershwin

Kris Johnson, Trumpeter and Composer

Kris Johnson is an award-winning trumpeter, composer, and educator. He has appeared on five Grammy-nominated albums and composed the original score for the four-time Emmy-nominated webseries “King Ester”. Kris toured the world as a trumpeter and arranger with the Count Basie Orchestra from 2008-2019 and served as the Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Utah from 2015-2019. Currently, Kris is the Director of Michigan State University’s Community Music School – Detroit. Mr. Johnson has served in the role of Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Utah; a Project Director for Pontiac School District, leading a U.S. Department of Education Arts in Education – Model Development and Dissemination Grant; and as the Education and Digital Programming Manager for the Motown Museum. Additionally, he has served on the teaching faculty at The Ohio State University, Detroit Symphony Orchestra Civic Youth Ensembles, and as an Artistic Liaison for JazzEd Detroit through a partnership with ArtOps and the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation. Kris received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Jazz Studies from Michigan State University in 2005 and 2007 respectively.

Jonah Cohen, Interlochen Student Composer

Jonah Cohen (b. 2004) (he/him) is a composer, pianist, and cellist from Farmington Hills, MI and currently based in Interlochen, MI. His compositions tend to revolve around his fascinations with space, time, motion, and stagnation and how they are relevant in the here and now. He strives to write music that is accessible yet unafraid to explore sonic realms that may be uncomfortable. One of his most central pursuits is balancing risk with safety and security in his music to create memorable and impactful experiences for the audience.

In addition to composition, Jonah is an avid cellist and pianist. As a cellist, he studies with Mrs. Karen Wingert when he is at home, and Dr. Patrick Owen when he is at Interlochen. As a pianist, Jonah studies with Mrs. Mary Siciliano when he is at home, and Dr. Michael Coonrod when he is at Interlochen. Jonah has served as the assistant principal cellist of the Detroit Metropolitan Youth Symphony, and has served as the orchestral pianist for the North Farmington High School Symphony Orchestra. Currently, he is a member of the Interlochen Arts Academy Orchestra.