Composer Tim Janis to attend Art in the Park
The Tim Janis Ensemble, which features contemporary classical music by a top-selling American composer, will perform Sept. 21 at Art in the Park, Marion.
Sponsor Tim Janis plans to attend as well.
The event is sponsored by Marion Chamber of Commerce and the Art in the Park committee.
This will be the second appearance for the Tim Janis Ensemble.
The group was to perform last year, but was unable to leave Maine by air after the Sept. 11 air attacks, which occurred the Tuesday before Art in the Park.
Janis sponsors hundreds of small ensemble performances across the country but can't attend all of them, so to have him in Marion is special, said Margo Yates, chamber executive secretary.
"This is a huge deal for Marion," she said. "The ensemble was very popular at their first appearance, and they enjoyed it. They want to come back."
Mission music
Sending performers to small towns isn't uncommon for Janis, 34. His "Music With a Mission" philosophy is to make music more than entertainment.
His goal is to make it inspirational, therapeutic, and accessible to everyone.
Janis creates emotional melodies and lush and soothing orchestral soundscapes. As people bought his albums, Janis began receiving letters from fans. They used his music to cope with loss, deal with medical treatments, sleep, and focus on prayer or work.
The Department of Veterans Affairs used a Janis composition in a video designed to encourage businesses to hire disabled veterans.
Janis helped write, record, and produce "Music of Hope," a benefit album for the American Cancer Society. It earned the top spot on the classical album chart, and featured new performances from Ray Charles and Andre Previn, and new music from composers such as John Williams, Billy Joel, and Paul McCartney.
Released in June was "A Thousand Summers," with proceeds going to Church World Service for HIV treatment and prevention projects in South Africa.
Janis also has contributed work to the National Music Education Foundation, People's Princess Foundation (for children's charities), and makes guest appearances during public television pledge drives.
A public television concert, "Tim Janis: An American Composer in Concert," was taped in June 2001. Janis conducted the American Symphony Orchestra at Lincoln Center.
That concert is available on CD.
Other recordings include "Water's Edge" (which charted at No. 2), "December Morning," "Christmas," Along the Shore of Acadia." "Etain," and "Music of Hope."
CDs will be available at Art in the Park or at music retailers. More information is available on the Internet at timjanis.com.
