John Lampkin...

In spite of the fact that he is still alive, John Lampkin is finding modest success as a composer. He was born at an early age, and his family was so poor that as a baby he had to sleep in a cello case. Together with the cello it was very crowded. Years later, two "notable" men dropped out of Harvard, Bill Gates and John Lampkin. Bill has the bank notes, but doesn't compose, and well, John...

In a review of his Portraits series for piano, Piano Quarterly wrote, "...[John Lampkin] is incredibly gifted with a wonderful sense of humor." Which proves it. Portraits was also cited in the millennium issue of Piano & Keyboard magazine as one of the significant educational collections of the 20th century. The list of 60 composers included Debussy, Bartok, Copland, Schoenberg, etc., all of whom had an unfair advantage because they were already dead.

Critics have also looked beneath the humor to find seriousness and intelligent musical thought. His Insects: a Musical Entomology in Six Legs for woodwind quintet won the Grand Prize in the Composer Guild's competition last year. In review of the premiere, the Austin press wrote, "it eschews the academic dryness of the past century yet supplies a wealth of innovative textures, rhythms and harmonies. [Lampkin]... has craftily woven musical visualizations of fleas, ants, fireflies and cockroaches into a delightful and accessible musical confection."

He has inspired hundreds of students, and many have established successful musical careers. He has served four terms as President of the Rockland County [NY] Music Teachers Guild, and writes for the monthly newsletter, not surprisingly, a humor column

.603 Route 306 Suffern, New York, 10901845 354-9567 • www.johnlampkin.com