Fredonia Press

Professional Resume of John LaMontaine:

The compositions of John LaMontaine include a wide range of undertakings: symphonic, chamber ensemble, ballet, opera, choral, and solo works. His influences are also wide-ranging, medieval, classical, romantic, modal, diatonic, dodecaphonic, and serial; hymn, folk song, jazz and the sounds of nature. The highly varied scope of his creative palette has been awarded with admiration of critics and affection of a wide public.

One of La Montaine's earliest works, the CONCERTO FOR PIANO AND ORCHESTRA, Op. 9, commissioned by the Ford Foundation, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1959.

Two Guggenheim fellowships followed, and commissions from the Koussevitsky Foundation, and the William Inglis Morse Trust for Music.
Other honors include an award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, accompanied by a grant to record his Piano Concerto.

An Eastman School Distinguished Alumni Award, and an appointment to serve in 1962 as Composer-in-Residence at the American Academy in Rome.

The premieres of La Montaine's three Christmas operas were commisioned by and took place in the Washington Cathedral. The second of the operas, THE SHEPHARDS PLAYE, was televised nationally by ABC.

The Joffrey Ballet created the ballet NIGHTWINGS from the score BIRDS OF PARADISE.

The STRING QUARTET, Op. 16, was awarded the Rheta Sosland Prize for Chamber Music.

The WILDERNESS JOURNAL, Symphony for Bass-Baritone, Organ and Orchestra, Op. 41, was commissioned by Mrs. Jouett Shouse and opened the second season at Kennedy Center, to celebrate the dedication of the Filene Organ.

Sarah Caldwell, with the Pittsburgh Symphony, and Pennsylvania University Choirs presented the premiere of the Bicentennial opera, BE GLAD THEN AMERICA, libretto and score by LaMontaine. A documentary on the creation of the opera was televised nationally by PBS.