Frazar Henry, Composer/Pianist
Frazar Henry (b. 2005, they/them) is a composer and pianist currently studying at Oberlin College and Conservatory. Their works, which have been described as rich, haunting and—at times—humorous, synthesize strong narratives with contemporary sensibilities.
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Portland Oregon’s Metropolitan Youth Symphony and Florida’s Gulf Coast Symphony are some examples of the vastly different musical communities who’ve chosen to play Frazar’s music, which is known for its relentless exploration of the timbral and textural capabilities of every instrument in every ensemble.
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 their work Lamentation #4.
Even when they’re not composing, recording, or practicing, Frazar steeps themself in music. They spend much of their time traveling musical realms, spanning experimental electronic music to hip-hop and jazz to renaissance choral music and beyond.
On the rare occurrence when they’re not making or listening to music, Frazar also enjoys reading, writing poetry, biking in nature, and baking bread.