Minden man wins award for two musical scores

Staff Reports

Minden composer, John O'Neill, has received the prestigious Editor's Choice Award for two of his string orchestra scores by J. W. Pepper, the world's largest retailer of sheet music.

His "Americana Medley" was described as: "a great medley of patriotic tunes ... with all the thrills and trills you would expect." His transcription of Grieg's "Last Spring" was heralded as being: "carefully arranged to make the most of the expressive qualities of string instruments ... for its rich texture and surprising harmonies, this is highly recommended."

These two compositions, as well as his "Mexicali Holiday," "Awakenings" and "Back to the Country" may be heard online at www.jwpepper.com. "Mexicali Holiday" was chosen to be performed at the annual Band and Orchestra Clinic held in Chicago this past December.

Six additional scores, "The Japanese Cricket," "Stephen Foster Medley," "Jugglers," "Big City Blues," "Twilight Tango" and "Variations on the Bluetail Fly" are currently being released by Ludwig Music Publishers of Cleveland; they will be recorded in March by members of the Cleveland Orchestra string section. Beginning in June, 2008, these pieces may also be heard on the J. W. Pepper Web site.

O'Neill is co-founding director, with his wife, Nelle of the Carson Valley Violin School and Carson Valley Sinfonia.