Sean Friar is a Rome Prize-winning composer and pianist who writes music for orchestras, wind ensembles, chamber ensembles, invented instruments, and electronics. His music has been performed throughout the world by ensembles including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic Scharoun Ensemble, the American Composers Orchestra, Alarm Will Sound, Crash Ensemble, Ensemble Klang, NOW Ensemble, Eastman Wind Ensemble, and many more. His most recent album, Before and After, was released on New Amsterdam Records to international critical acclaim, being called “heartbreaking[ly] beaut[iful]” (Gonzo Circus, Amsterdam), “beautifully crafted” (The Whole Note, Toronto), and “the existential void I want to crawl into like a hot bath on a cold night” (Van Magazine, Berlin).
“Bassoon Concerto” for solo bassoon and wind ensemble.
“Chant” from Before and After, New Amsterdam Records.
Recent & Upcoming Shows
March 21-31, 2023 – Performance tour with Jeff Siegfried, saxophone: Vanderbilt, UNC Chapel Hill, University of Memphis, Appalachian State, Austin Peay. Featuring Mezereon, Shades, Two Solitudes.
March 31, 2023 – North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) Conference, Hattiesburg, MS. Jeff Siegfried and Sean Friar perform Mezereon and others works.
May 9, 2023 – Roulette, New York, NY, Piano Spheres. Ray-Kallay Duo plays Fit.
May 30, 2023 – Zipper Hall, Los Angeles, CA, Ray-Kallay duo plays Fit.
June 10-14, 2023 – Composition Director, Sunset ChamberFest Young Composers Workshop, Los Angeles, CA.
June 17-30, 2023 – Composition Director, Lamont Summer Academy, Denver, CO.
July 30-August 6, 2023 – Composer in Residence, Chamber Music Conference of the East, Hamilton, NY. Performances of Short Winds and String Quartet 2.
October 27-November 2, 2023 – West/Southwest performance and masterclass tour with Jeff Siegfried, saxophone: CU Boulder, University of Southern California, Cal State Long Beach, Texas Tech, and ENMU. Featuring Mezereon, Shades, Elastic Loops.
January 27, 2024 – Pomona College, Music of Californians. Ray-Kallay Duo performs Fit.
June 8-11, 202 – Director, Sunset ChamberFest Young Composers Workshop, Los Angeles, CA.
July 14-21, 2024 – Senior Composer in Residence, Chamber Music Conference of the East, Hamilton, NY.
Get Before and After on Bandcamp, Apple Music, and Spotify here.
