JOHN HEINS (b. 1956) composer John Heins’ Neo-romantic compositions have garnered considerable praise over the past three decades. His compositions have been performed throughout the United States and Europe. In Canada, his Trio for Piano, Oboe and Bassoon was featured at the International Double-Reed Convention. In 1992, the Sinfonisches Blasorchester Bern featured his Overture for Band on their European Tour. Also in 2000, the Aulos Blasorchester performed and recorded the Overture in Switzerland. One of his latest commissions, Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Wind Ensemble, was premiered in 2003 in Washington D.C. In 2004, the Metropolitan Wind Symphony in Boston premiered another commission, Second Essay. Also, in 2004, Ballet Nouveau Colorado premiered his new ballet entitled The House of Alba. His Ballade for Orchestra was recorded and recently released on a CD of new American music recorded by the Kiev Philharmonic, "Masterworks of the New Era, Vol.5" Heins' compositional output includes works for symphonic band and orchestra, as well as numerous solo piano works, chamber music, and concertos. Heins received a Bachelor of Music degree in Composition from the University of Montana and a Master of Music degree in Composition and Performance from the University of Colorado, Boulder. He studied composition with Donald O. Johnston, Cecil Effinger and Karel Husa. Heins has taught at Rocky Mountain College in Billings, MT; and he served as composer, arranger, pianist and clarinetist in the U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific Northwest. He was chosen to be the 2001-2002 MTNA Commissioned Composer for the State of Colorado. Heins' discography includes numerous works recorded on CD; his compositions have also been published by Southern Music, KJOS Music and Ars Nova Music.