Jonathan Rainous is a composer from Cincinnati, OH, USA. Once he began formal musical study he was captivated by a variety of styles, from hip-hop to Thelonius Monk to Lutosławski and living composers. This potpourri of influences is evident in his stylistically diverse, rhythmically complex, and occasionally quirky music. He has studied at Belmont University (B.Mus), Ithaca College (M.Mus), and the University at Buffalo (PhD), exploring variable forms in multimovement works, stylistic fusion, and narrative in music. Teachers who have tried to get him to calm down and revise (which is all of them!) include David McKay, Mark Volker, Evis Sammoutis, Jorge Villavicencio Grossmann, David Felder, Robert Carl, Tiffany M. Skidmore, Jonathan Golove, and Nina Young.

Recent works include …In the Garden of Vanquished Dreams (6’ / 27’) for trumpet and piano; Dark March (7’) for multi-ability level string orchestra, also known as a “side-by-side” ensemble pairing beginning and advanced students; and his dissertation work, Meeting Place (various, 3’ – 65’), for saxophone and electronics. Currently on his desk is a 20’ monodrama for double bass and mezzo soprano (Generations); Elegy No. 5 for keyboard instrument and SATB monophonic instruments with optional electronics (10’ / 20’ / 40’ / 75’); a short entirely pizzicato “Companion Work” for the Schubertian string quintet (string quartet + cello); Mouse in the House! for young string orchestra; and folk song arrangements for tuba-euphonium quartet.