Born in Big Rapids, Michigan (USA), in 1947, Dr. Glen Newton is a 3rd generation composer. Whereas his mother and Grandfather were both known for their compositions for piano and violin, Glen focuses on music for wind instruments and jazz ensembles. He began writing original instrumental and vocal works in the 6th grade and while he was in High School, his compositions and arrangements were performed by stage bands and vocal ensembles in his home town. Since then, his compositions have been performed by bands, orchestras and brass ensembles in the United States and Finland.
After several years of piano lessons, Glen began playing cornet in the 4th grade. He was the lead Trumpeter in the Big Rapids High School stage band from 7th through 12th grade and had considerable success in solo and ensemble contests, including achieving the highest score of any Trumpeter or Cornettist in the state of Michigan in the most difficult proficiency level in his senior year. He also won medals competing on Trombone and Percussion while in High School.
While earning his Ph. D. in Computer Science, Glen managed to find time for a few musical activities - singing in a Barbershop Chorus, writing the script for one of their shows, creating arrangements sung by the District Champion Barbershop Quartet and covering some of his school expenses by playing guitar in a combo.
After moving to a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota, Glen was honoured to participate in two grant-funded composers’ workshops through the West Bank School of Music.
Glen has directed the Roseville Big Band (www.rosevillebigband.org) since 1989. He has written several compositions for the band, including their theme song, ‘Dance to the Big Band Swing’.
He also plays Eb Tenor Horn in the Sheldon Theatre Brass Band, based in Red Wing, Minnesota. On occasion, he will rotate to another section to fill a vacancy for a concert; he has performed as the band’s Principal Cornet, Principal Euphonium, 1st Trombone, 1st Baritone and as a member of the Percussion Section.
Glen plays Trombones - from Bass to Soprano - in the Minnesota Trombone Choir and has contributed 9 compositions to their repertoire. He is also the Trombonist in the Lazy Does It traditional Jazz Band and has played Cornet in that Dixieland Band.
Beside composing and playing brass instruments, Glen sings with the Caroling Company and the Rosetones vocal quartet, plays piano in the David Andrews Big Band and has performed on guitar/mandolin/5-string banjo with the White Knuckles Bluegrass Band.
Glen also enjoys a certain amount of notoriety in the St. Paul area from his appearances hosting public access television broadcasts of Roseville Area High School concerts, Roseville Area Middle School musicals, Rosefest parades and live broadcasts of summer concerts of the Roseville Big Band.