Project 21 Composers
Jamie Whitmarsh
Hometown: Bartlesville, Oklahoma
Date of birth: 5/27/1988
Jamie Whitmarsh was born May 27th, 1988, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. After graduating from Bartlesville High School in May '06, he matriculated to Oklahoma City University to study percussion with Dr. David Steffens and composition with Dr. Edward Knight. He is the recipient of the Martin Mailman Excellence in Performance Endowed Scholarship, the Margaret Petree Music Talent Scholarship, and the 2006 winner of the high school division of Tulsa University's 'Bela Rosza Composition Competition'.
Many composers over the years have influenced his musical taste, appreciation, and compositional style. Some such artists include: David Maslanka, Gustav Mahler, Andy Narrell, Opeth, Nobou Uematsu, and Ratatat. His works have been performed in a variety of settings over the last several years. Aside from regularly premiering new works at OCU's Project 21 concerts, his "Children's Games and a Loss of Naivete" was performed at the 2009 SCI Region VI Conference, hosted by Oklahoma City University. His "Theme and Oscillations" was commissioned and premiered in Fall 2008 by the University Brass Ensemble, under the direction of Ben Nilles. In 2009, Jamie was commissioned by 'DuO', a Canadian percussion duet comprised of Dave Robillard and Brennan Connolly, to create "Incontro Deux", a short work for two multi-percussion setups, as part of their 2009 touring season throughout Canada. "Incontro Deux" was also performed at Kansas State University for the 2010 SCI Region VI Conference. The Carl Albert High School Band performed the first movement of "Atoconeura Eudoxia" (commissioned by band director Sarah Neely) on May 13th, 2010. An enthusiastic arranger, Jamie has begun to build a portfolio of percussion arrangements. He has most recently completed an arrangement of Ludwig van Beethoven's "Piano Sonata, no. 21" (commonly referred to as "Waldstein") for large percussion ensemble. In the spring of 2009 the OCU Percussion Ensemble performed Jamie's arrangement of John Michael Hunt's "Sonata for Saxophone and Piano", also for large percussion ensemble. The OCU Percussion Ensemble has also performed his arrangement of Pat Metheny's "Third Wind" (for large percussion ensemble) and "Last Train Home" (for small percussion ensemble). Jamie wrote piano accompaniment for Liam Teague's "A Visit to Hell" (originally for unaccompanied solo steel pan), and orchestrated the accompaniment. The OCU Symphony Orchestra read through it as part of the established orchestral reading process at OCU. A version for percussion ensemble accompaniment is in the works as well. Jamie also arranges for the OCU Steel Drum band, having completed over 30 arrangements (5 of which were only minor edits of previously existing arrangements from other musicians) for the group, as well as writing many original tunes for the group. For the fall marching seasons of 2008 and 2009, Jamie wrote the front ensemble music for the Edmond Santa Fe High School marching band, and will be writing for them again in fall of 2010. He will also be writing the battery and front ensemble music for the Bartlesville High School marching band for their show in the fall of 2010. Jamie has written for theater and film as well. In 2007, he collaborated with Byron Martin to write the incidental music for OCU's production of "The Children's Hour", directed by Dennis Schneider. Later that year he collaborated with Byron Martin and Dan McPherson to write incidental music for the Tabitha Baptist Church's production of "Rennis". In fall of 2009 he scored the OCU Filmmaker's Guild short film "Johnny and Maggie". In 2010 he wrote the incidental music for OCU's Stage II production of "Fuddy Meers", directed by Erin A. Singleton. Later in spring of 2010 he wrote background music for Katelyn Wright as part of one of her movement pieces in her showcase. In the summer of 2010 he will score Ilea Shutler's capstone film "Primer". Jamie is also an active performer and conductor for Project 21, having performed on or conducted for many premieres, for many different composers. Most recently, he conducted the world premiere of Ben Harrell's Operetta 'Plight'. After graduating from OCU with degrees in Percussion Performance, Music Composition, and Instrumental Music Education, Jamie plans to attend graduate school to further his education (with a concentration in either percussion performance, music composition, or conducting). He hopes to one day create works that contribute to the percussion repertoire, specifically in the areas of percussion ensemble/orchestra and percussion concerti. Jamie has studied percussion with Steve Craft and David Steffens, composition with Edward Knight and Nathan Daughtrey, and conducting with Matthew Mailman. Major Completed Works
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