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| STEPHEN SHEWAN has
composed music for numerous media, including orchestra, string quartet,
symphonic band, brass ensemble, solo voices, choir, and piano. His works
for chorus are both melodic and accessible, with strong appeal for professional
and amateur groups alike, and are propelled at times by catchy rhythms flavored
with jazz and pop idioms. In this regard, his music has an attraction similar
to that of the English composer John Rutter, albeit with a distinctly American
accent. Other parallels may be drawn with the music of such diverse contemporary
composers as Benjamin Britten and Daniel Pinkham, both of whom wrote works
of serious import which nevertheless earned enthusiastic public acceptance.
Another parallel with the above mentioned composers is the frequent use
of biblical texts as a basis for composition. We hear a fresh voice at work, demonstrating a talent for ingratiating melody, infectious rhythm, and a command of colorful instrumentation. from liner notes written by John Proffitt for Parables of God and Man. Stephen Shewan received a Bachelor of Science in music education from Roberts Wesleyan College, where his father Dr. Robert Shewan, directed the Chorale. He earned a Masters of Music in French horn performance from Ithaca College, and a Doctorate of Musical Arts in music education/composition at the Eastman School of Music. Dr. Shewan's first compact disc, The Music of Stephen Shewan, was released by Albany Records (TROY 149) in 1995. Parables of God and Man, Music of Stephen Shewan Volume 2, was released by Albany Records (TROY 349) in January 2000. His music, written for all genres, has been performed throughout the United States and Europe. He is published by GIA and Concordia publishing houses. Dr. Shewan has taught public school music since 1983, and is currently one of two band directors at the Williamsville East High School in East Amherst, New York where he conducts the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and one of two concert bands. Williamsville East is known for its innovative composition program that requires all instrumental students to complete at least one composition a year. Dr. Shewan is a member of the NYSSMA Composition Committee, and is a member of ASCAP. He is an active guest conductor, clinician, and pianist.  
Williamsville East High School has two jazz bands with nearly 50 students. The East Jazz Ensemble rehearses every other day during the school day. The All-School Jazz Band rehearses twice a week before the school day begins. In 1999 the Jazz Ensemble performed at the Essentially Ellington High School Festival and Competition at Lincoln Center, and has consistently earned the highest ratings at national competitions. Each year the Williamsville District brings in a guest artist to perform with the Williamsville East, North, and South High School Jazz Bands. Recent artists include Michael Davis, Justin DiCioccio, Jeff Jarvis, Bobby Millitello, Dave Schiavone, Jeff Tyzik and Hank Roberts. East High School also brings in artists to perform with the band and/or give Jazz clinics. Recent artists include Andre Bush, George Garzone, and the Deanna Witkowski Quartet. Student compositions are performed at these concerts. The Williamsville Music Boosters sponsor a yearly concert featuring a jazz musician or band. Students from the three Williamsville High Schools attend workshops with these artists and then warm up for them at an evening concert. Recent artists include Maynard Ferguson, Chuck Mangione, Spyro Gyra, and The Count Basie Band. To encourage composition, the Williamsville high school wind ensemble directors have recently founded the Williamsville Commissioning Consortium. Their objective was to initiate an ongoing project in an effort to commission contemporary works for wind ensemble by some of the most highly respected composers in the country who may be rather new to the medium. In an effort to keep the project cost effective, a national consortium of outstanding high school band/wind ensembles was created with the unique agreement that each member organization would be afforded the opportunity to perform the "premiere performance" of each new piece in their own state or province. This year nearly 25 schools from across the country and Canada are participating in this project.
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