“Showing a deeper understanding of harmony”
(Boston Musical Intelligencer) J. A. J. Sedarski’s (b. 2000) music is a dynamic mixture of large, dramatic gestures and intimate moments. He writes music inspired by his Mexican heritage, real-life events, and the natural world.
Sedarski started his composition journey at 14 at his family piano, collecting dust in the corner. His first credit was at 15 when he wrote music for scenes in a production of The Vagina Monologues at the Rochester Civic Center. At 19 years old, he received his first commission to write for the Boston-based Juventas New Music Ensemble and has composed for the ensemble every year since, including three world premieres in the concert hall. His music has been performed by the MIVOS Quartet, Argento Reading Ensemble, Boston University Symphony Orchestra, Boston University Chamber Orchestra, ALLEA III, and Sound Icon chamber ensemble. He’s enjoyed the tutelage of Rodney Lister, Joshua Fineberg, and John Wallace.
In his first year at university, he won the 2020 Composition Competition with Performance with Orchestra from the School of Music at Boston University for his work Variants for Orchestra. In 2022, he received an achievement award from Luke Hill’s composition studio for his work Gradus ad Paradisum. In the same year, he was a finalist for the American Prize for his work Behind the Universe, which had its world premiere with the Juventas New Music Ensemble. In 2023, he premiered his first monodrama, Sentience, inspired by recent developments in A.I. at the Boston University School of Music. In May 2023, he received his Bachelor of Music in Music Theory and Composition from Boston University.
Sedarski has also enjoyed performances of his music around the world and most recently had his international debut at the Musica Hellenica Festival in July 2023. In addition to giving lectures about Contemporary Mexican Composers, he was able to attend the world premiere of his most recent work entitled Sangre on the festival’s program.
Currently, he works as a freelance Composer, General Manager of the Juventas New Music Ensemble, and Content Marketing Manager of the Handel and Haydn Society.