Frazar Henry, Composer/Pianist
Frazar Henry (b. 2005, he/him) is a composer and pianist currently studying at Oberlin College and Conservatory, who synthesizes strong narratives (running the gamut from fictional to personal to philosophical) with vivid sonic landscapes. His works have been described as rich, haunting and—at times—humorous.
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Frazar’s music has been played across the country—from Portland Oregon’s Metropolitan Youth Symphony to the Fort Myers Symphonic Mastersingers in Florida—and by a wide variety of chamber ensembles. His experience writing for a diversity of groups is part of what drives his musical style: he’s passionate about fully exploring the timbral and textural capabilities of every ensemble and instrument he writes for.
Frazar has earned prestigious awards for their compositions and performances—most notably, being twice honored with the ASCAP Foundation Morton Gould Young Composer Award for Mystery Prelude and an Enigma in 2016 and In Exordium in 2018. And, recently, after earning 2nd Place in ’21 and ’22, Frazar received 1st Place in the 2023 Webster University Young Composer Competition for his work Lamentation #4.
Even when he’s not composing, recording, or practicing, Frazar steeps himself in music. He spends much of his time traveling musical realms, spanning renaissance choral music to jazz, hip-hop, experimental electronic music, and beyond.
On the rare occurrence when he's not making or listening to music, Frazar also enjoys reading, writing poetry, biking in nature, and baking bread.