St. Viator senior conducts his original composition

Jonathan Metzinger, a senior at St. Viator High School in Arlington Heights, dares to dream one day of composing film scores, and it's not that far-fetched.

He learned last month that he had been admitted into Indiana University's Jacob's School of Music, into its highly selective composition program, which accepts less than 10 students per year.

According to admissions officials, more than 3,000 students apply to its musical school each year for approximately 500 spots, with roughly seven or eight admitted into its composition program.

"It's among our most selective," says Townsend Plant, admissions director. "At the undergraduate level, all of them see themselves as professional composers."

Metzinger's newest work ­- his first composed for a concert band - debuted Sunday when the school's symphonic band performed his full-scale symphonic work, "Escapades," during its Spring Fine Arts Festival.

He wrote it at the request of school officials, who asked him to compose something in honor of the Rev. Louis Querbes, founder of the Clerics of St. Viator, during their yearlong celebration of his life, 150 years after he died.

"I wanted it to be dramatic and inspirational, with some heroic themes," Metzinger says. "There are recurring themes and patterns but, overall, it's very textured, which is what I wanted, sort of like a film score."

Already he shares something in common with the Oscar-nominated composer of the film score for "Avatar," James Horner.

Both used the computer program Sibelius to transfer their new composition - written and orchestrated at the piano - into notated sheet music.

"I'm still doing all the orchestration," Metzinger says, "but the computer transfers it electronically onto staff paper. It's amazing."

Last week, for the first time, Metzinger conducted band members himself as they rehearsed the piece before Sunday's concert. Typically, he plays French horn in the band, but as conductor he encouraged them to play bolder during its opening passages, before sustaining their notes during the more expressive, haunting sections through its ending.

At the conclusion, his classmates burst into applause, and senior trumpeter Mike Sroka of Wheeling jumped to his feet to cheer him.

"It's just amazing for someone in our class to do that," Sroka said. "It was hard to get it at first. The dynamics are difficult and there are some pretty technical parts, but once you get it, it hits you."

Junior Jack Nuelle of Mount Prospect agreed, adding that band members were surprised when they first tackled it.

"The overall depth impressed us," Nuelle said. "There is so much scope and depth to the work. It's just a nuance piece, with so many different layers. It's a testament to his talent."

Metzinger figures he has composed nearly 30 original works, including some for the Metropolis Youth Symphony in Arlington Heights, as well as for his school ensembles.

His portfolio submitted to Indiana officials included three original scores: a requiem for a full orchestra, a more avant garde piece for piano and violin and a brass quartet number.

All three were electronically recorded using the computer, and submitted as tapes to the admissions department. However, nothing beats the thrill of hearing his original work performed by a live ensemble, Metzinger says.

"I always hear the band in my head when I'm composing it," he says. "But it's overwhelming to hear them actually play it. It just sounds so ... real."

Audience members at Sunday's concert thought the composition sounded better than real. They cheered and gave him a standing ovation when he stepped down from the podium after conducting the work.