Hochstein alum Jonathan Madden has participated in many facets of Hochstein. First as a young child in Orff music classes, then he took cello lessons at Hochstein, played in Hochstein orchestras – including serving as Principal Cello in the Hochstein Youth Symphony Orchestra – and played piano in Hochstein chamber groups. He was also HYSO Conducting Apprentice for two years and made his international conducting debut on the HYSO tour of Germany and Austria in 2016.
Jon says, “Every teacher that I had here created such a welcoming and positive learning environment for me, not only to grow as a musician, but to grow as a person.”
He added, “What makes Hochstein such a magical place to me is its ability to meet its students where they are at in their life.”
Jon also took composition classes at Hochstein during the summer, background that served him well when he attended St. Olaf College in Minnesota. He wrote music for a number of different choral and instrumental groups at the school. (Watch at https://www.youtube.com/c/JonMadden/videos).
Jon is now back at Hochstein as assistant and composer-in-residence for the Hochstein Youth Singers with Maryellen Giese. His latest composition, “Together, We,” premiered on June 4 with Madden conducting the Hochstein Youth Singers.
The text is drawn from answers the students gave to the prompt “Together…” and what it means to them to be able to sing together again. You can watch the live performance here on the Hochstein YouTube page: https://youtu.be/y7oNFFU-XrE?t=3405.
Jon will be back next year working with Hochstein Youth Singers, this time as Assistant Director to Maryellen Giese.
Consider making a gift to Hochstein before our fiscal year ends on June 30: https://hochstein.org/Support#donate.
Your generosity will help Hochstein continue to provide training for wonderful musicians like Jon.
See below for a video about Jon’s experience at Hochstein.