BIO
John Engstrom is a Grand Rapids-based composer and producer with an affinity towards working within organic and absurd sonic environments. A versatile musician, he has created works for the speaker, the stage, and the stairwell. A diverse body of work, John applies contemporary music composition to popular music practices: two private studio albums centered around exploring various forms of electronic music, improvised for electric bass with delayed reverse reverbs, and designed midi input for organ & synthesizer. He has also collaborated with various artists in different mediums, such as experimental ambient jazz trio, Disco Behemoth, choreographer and dancer, Nirvan Singh, & director and videographer, Nicholas A. Talamantez. John is currently a board member of the Western Student Composers Alliance, tasked with raising awareness for local composers at Western Michigan University. He also works at Broughton Music & Art Center in downtown Kalamazoo, teaching drums, percussion, & piano, along with operating in music retail. Often, John is creating music at his private studio, as well as spending time at Western Sound Studios: working on compositions, producing new tracks, or creating content with peers. In summation, John is a musician and collaborator invested in his craft.
For the past few years, John has been arranging, composing, and performing his pieces for small and large ensembles. In the Spring of 2013, John arranged a piece for percussion ensemble that was then performed in concert. He has written a cadence that is still performed by the St. Charles North High School drumline. John has had his compositions performed by The St. Charles North High school Chamber Orchestra and The Red Gate Sound Project. He wrote a film score for the short film "The Wrong Day", which was a finalist in the All American Film Festival 2017.
In 2017, John was awarded 3rd place in the Illinois Music Educators Association composition contest for his Avant-Garde / Electronic composition, Reverie. John was the winner of the Jank Guitar Store’s, The Road Song Challenge for his arrangement of ‘The Road’ by Casely and the Jank. This earned him a $10,000 award & notability in the Kane County Chronicle: "What was so impressive was that John was able to be powerfully creative while highlighting his individual personality, yet still working with retaining the form of the original song," stated the release. "And that is the mark of a true young professional." He was most recently presented a scholarship in recognition of his accomplishments and potential as a musician and student at Western Michigan University. John continues to pursue his goals of becoming a better creator, colleague, and musician.
