SJHS alumnus is perfect choice for Shell composer
Rehmann’s Fanfare for New Beginnings highlights dedication ceremony

By Rhonda Westfall

The composer of Fanfare for New Beginnings, the musical composition that will formally welcome the new St. Johns Performance Shell to its home in the St. Johns City Park, is certainly not a stranger here – but he has embarked on his own, personal ‘new beginning’ in the past year.

Chad Rehmann, a native of St. Johns and 1999 graduate of St. Johns High School, was a natural selection by the Performance Shell Steering Committee in its search for a composer for the dedication ceremony.

"There is literally no one more qualified than this fine, young gentleman to create an opening composition for the new Performance Shell," said Bill Tennant, steering committee chairperson and former SJHS orchestra director. "Chad is a stellar ambassador of the fine arts in this community – we are honored that he agreed to compose Fanfare for New Beginnings."

Within the past year, Rehmann established the music production company, Rehmann Productions (www.rehmannproductions.com) and finished his first short festival film, "Adopting Change," by Blue Unicorn Productions. The film, under the direction of Catherine C. Pirotta of Argentina, was accepted into the Taste of Art Film Festival in New York, and is awaiting its premier on the West Coast next month at the Los Angeles International Latino Film Festival.

Rehmann’s first major recognition as a composer came during his senior year at SJHS when he received a Level I Arts Award from the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts for his String Quartet #1. Following the acceptance of that award in 1999, he began his undergraduate work in composition at Michigan State University.

During his studies at MSU, Rehmann had works premiered by Future Imperative Duo and Musique 21. In addition, he also orchestrated the full-length musical Folles, which went on to become one of the three finalists for the 2002 Stanley Drama Awards. His piano arrangements for Butterknife premiered last year in New York City.

During his final months at MSU, Rehmann was selected from a national pool of applicants to participate in the NYU/ASCAP Buddy Baker Film Scoring Workshop in New York. While attending that workshop he received word that he had also been chosen as one of 20 finalists for the Young Film Composer Competition, sponsored by Turner Classic Movies in Los Angeles.