John Rea (composer)

John Rea (born 1944) is a Montreal-based composer who won the Jules Léger Prize for New Chamber Music in both 1981 and 1992. He obtained his bachelor’s degree at Wayne State University (1967), his Master of Music degree at the University of Toronto (1969), and his PhD at Princeton University. His children’s opera The Prisoners Play from 1972 uses serial techniques. His works have been played by the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, the Quebec Symphony Orchestra, the Nouvel Ensemble Moderne, the Arditti Quartet, the Esprit Orchestra and others. He is the previous dean and head of the composition department at the Schulich School of Music of McGill University, from which he has finally taken his retirement. Among his notable students are composers Robin Minard and John Oliver. Music Stage: The Days/Les Jours, ballet. 1969. Ms The Prisoners Play, opera (Paul Woodruff). 1973. Ms Com-possession ‘Daemonic afterimages in the theatre of transitory states.’ 1980. 2 chamber ensemble (tape). Ms. McGill University Records 83019 (Laucke) Une Fleur du mal. 1992. Sop, clarinet, violoncello and percussion Canto di Beatrice. 1992. For two sop and two violoncelli, melodrama Alma & Oskar (melodrama from b