Project 21 Composers

Jarrett Alexander Maxwell
Hometown: Atlanta, Georga
Date of birth: 9/25/1981
I was born in Atlanta, Georgia on September 25, 1981. Shortly after my birth my parents moved to Oklahoma. I have lived in the Oklahoma City area all of my life.
     My interest in music happened rather late in my life. I first recall hearing country music as a child. This was the only music I knew until I reached middle school where I was exposed to other forms of popular music including puck, ska, heavy metal, alternative rock, classic rock, reggae, blues, black gospel and jazz. As a teenager I would buy an album and read the insert material to find out who had influenced the artist. I would then buy the albums of those artists as well. My exploration took me from alternative rock backwards through classic rock, blues, black gospel, jazz, and ultimately into classical music. I immediately fell in love with the complexity of classical music and its inherent artistic beauty. I became fascinated with thematic development which popular music tends to ignore.
     Upon graduation from high school I attended Oklahoma City University from 2000 – 2004 where I studied music composition with Dr. Edward Knight and piano with Jeanne Clewell. After graduating with my bachelors I took two years off from school during which time I traveled overseas twice and married my wife Delores. I resumed studies at Oklahoma City University with Dr. Edward Knight in the fall of 2006 to earn a masters degree in music composition.
     My future goals and dreams are to eventually pursue a doctoral degree and teach music composition. My wife and I hope to live overseas for a period of time to experience another culture before coming back to the United States to raise a family.
Major Completed Works
  • A Groovy Day (4')
    Drums, Bongos, Steel Drums, Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, Vibraphone, Baritone, & Three Chorus Girls
  • A Rainy Day (8')
    three movements, for String Quintet
  • Hezekiah's Prayer (3')
    Cello
  • My Sorrow has Turned to Joy (2')
    Guitar
  • Shadows in the Moonlight
    two movents, for Full Orchestra
  • Song of Solomon (3')
    Flute
  • The Highs and Lows of Life (3')
    Piano
  • The Land of Oblivion (6')
    Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Basson, Cello, Timpani, & various percussion