Orchestra to play local composer’s work

Marianna teen John Callahan may seem the quiet type, but when his fingertips touch ivory, he creates a patchwork of sound that envelops his audience like an intricate quilt.
The 17-year-old pianist not only loves to play music, but to write it, as well. Callahan’s talent in music composition was recently proven when he was named a winner in the 2008 Young Composer’s Challenge for young people in the southeastern United States.
As a result, Callahan’s original composition, entitled “Flight of the Fourth Caravel,” will be brought to life by the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra this Sunday, Sept. 28, at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center in Orlando.
The competition, sponsored by the University of Central Florida and the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, consists of two categories: Ensemble and Full Orchestra.
Callahan was one of three young composers to have his work played by the full orchestra. Additionally, he will be presented with $1,000 at the Sunday concert, and his teacher will be awarded $500.
“The package was pretty amazing — a huge conductor’s score, and individual parts for all the instruments in the orchestra, including harp and chimes,” wrote Jill Berquist-Wallace, pastor at First United Methodist Church where Callahan is an active member.
Callahan said that “Flight of the Fourth Caravel” has a light theme, and that it wasn’t inspired by one particular thing. It’s title was influenced, he said, by the presence of fourths throughout the piece.
He said the idea of the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra playing something he wrote himself was enough motivation to keep him working on the piece, which took him about a year to complete.
He said he’s very serious about a career in music and in furthering his education in music composition.
He takes piano lessons from Hristo Birbochucov at Florida State University; plays the marimba and xylophone in the Marianna High School Marching Band, and also accompanies students for the district and state Solo and Ensemble Festivals.
Callahan is currently dual enrolled as a home-schooled high school student and a student at Chipola College.
“John Callahan is far from the typical music student at Chipola College,” said Callahan’s Chipola music professor, Dr. Daniel Powell, “... To have your composition played by a leading, professional orchestra is something that is coveted by many composers and is a big honor for young Callahan who is sure to be in the spotlight for many more years.”
According to its Web site, the Young Composers Challenge is supported by Stephen Goldman, UCF-CREATE, and the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra.
“The ability to compose classical music is a rare individual gift that requires careful nurturing from an early age,” said David Schillhammer, Executive Director of the Orlando Philharmonic. “Thanks to the generosity of Stephen Goldman, we have assembled this unique challenge, which helps first to identify those with this extraordinary talent, and then to provide them with an organized outlet for experimentation.”
For more on the Young Composer’s Challenge, visit http://www.youngcomposerschallenge.com .