HILLEBRANDT BIO

John Hillebrandt keeps an active schedule as a pianist, composer and educator. His numerous and highly acclaimed performances each season include solo recitals, chamber music, concertos, and original compositions. He retired in 2011 from California State University, Stanislaus, where his remarkable career as staff accompanist and lecturer spanned 15 years and included more than 500 performances. He has been the Principal Pianist and Keyboardist for the Modesto Symphony Orchestra since 1996. He graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. degree in music from the University of Central Florida, and M.M. and Doctorate of Musical Arts degrees in piano performance from the University of Michigan. As a doctoral student, he received a dissertation grant for the composition and performance of microtonal piano music, and won the prestigious concerto competition for which he composed and performed his own Piano Concerto.

Much in demand as a master piano teacher, he has taught many award-winning students, and is a regular adjudicator for the United States Open Music Competition, the Music Teachers’ Association of California, and others. He is also currently teaching a course in Music Appreciation for which he wrote his own curriculum at Modesto Junior College, and performs regularly on faculty artist concerts.

The Modesto Symphony Orchestra featured the world premier of the newly revised Hillebrandt Piano Concerto in November, 2013. The MSO has featured other of Hillebrandt’s creative work in past seasons, including “Fantasy on French Carols” for chorus and orchestra, two new compositions for chamber orchestra on the Holiday Candlelight Concert, and Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons,” featuring original realizations on the harpsichord.

His epic cycle for piano, the “Transcendental Hymn-Fantasies” is in the final stages of preparation.

Hillebrandt is also an avid skier and mountaineer. His climbs include the Grand Teton, Mt. Shasta, Mt. Rainier, and Mt. Whitney; and he has hiked to the top of Half Dome in Yosemite more than 50 times.