Arts & Entertainment  ·  Syracuse, Utah

Composer Jason Tonioli to Premiere 11 Original Orchestral Works at Syracuse City Arts Council Concert

An entire evening of world-premiere music—featuring violinist John Knudson—comes to Syracuse High School Auditorium on March 23, 2026.

SYRACUSE, Utah — When the Syracuse City Arts Council booked composer Jason Tonioli for its 2026 Guest Artist Concert Series, the original ask was modest: a few songs. What audiences will hear on March 23 is something far more ambitious—an entire evening of world-premiere orchestral works, every note composed by Tonioli and performed for the first time anywhere.

The City of Syracuse's official event listing describes the performance as showcasing "world-premiere original works" with "an entire program composed by Jason Tonioli," joined by featured violinist John Knudson.

"After three or four pieces, I realized I could do this. So I just kept writing. It's been fast and furious—writing, revising, rehearsing—and hearing it come to life with more than 50 musicians in the room." — Jason Tonioli, Composer

From a Few Songs to a Full Orchestral Program

Tonioli says what started as a small contribution quickly grew into 11 brand-new orchestral premieres, written in a rapid creative sprint and refined through weekly rehearsals with the full ensemble.

Editor's note: The "11 premieres" count and "50+ musicians" figure are Tonioli's statements. The City's official listing independently confirms the entire program consists of world-premiere original works.

"I originally thought I'd contribute a few pieces," Tonioli said. "But once I started writing, the ideas just kept coming. Every week I was bringing new music into rehearsal."

The Music: Cinematic Scope Meets Hymn Roots

The program spans a wide emotional range—from reflective, hymn-rooted writing to full-orchestra pieces designed to feel like original film scores. Tonioli, whose published catalog includes more than 20 piano solo books, describes several standout works:

"A Mother's Lament" is a musical portrait of grief—what Tonioli describes as "a mother aching for the loss of a son." He says the piece carries the stylistic feel of "Godfather meets Fiddler on the Roof." "It almost made me cry the first time we played it," he said.

"Flying" leans into full-orchestra power, built around sweeping energy. "It uses the full orchestra—really my goal is to challenge them," Tonioli said.

"Hero's Tribute" is an orchestral arrangement of "Amazing Grace" that Tonioli wrote following the death of his father. "That one is deeply personal," he said.

The concert will also feature an orchestral arrangement of the traditional Scottish tune "O Waly Waly," a melody historically paired with several well-known hymn texts.

Featured Violinist: John Knudson

Knudson's appearance brings significant professional credentials to the stage. Published production credits for the video game Hogwarts Legacy list Knudson among the performers, providing third-party verification of his work inside major commercial music productions. According to his published biography on Aingeal Music, one of his most notable performances includes playing violin alongside Billy Joel on "Piano Man" at an Obama Presidential Ball.

Venue and Tickets

Syracuse High School Auditorium seats up to 1,141 people—large enough for genuine symphonic impact while keeping the event within the community. Tickets are $15 per person, with a group rate of $10 each for parties of six or more, according to the City's event listing.

What's Next for Tonioli

Tonioli says the orchestral experience has opened new creative directions. He is planning to publish 12 piano solo books in 2026—a dramatic increase from the one or two he has typically released annually over the past two decades.

"I've had so much fun doing the orchestra that I do think there will be quite a bit of other types of projects I'll be doing based on what I've learned from this experience," he said. "Who knows—maybe I'll be scoring a film next?"

For ticket information, visit the Syracuse City Arts Council's official event listings at the City of Syracuse website.

Concert information sourced from the City of Syracuse official event listing. Composer and performer quotes are original. Specific figures for ensemble size and premiere count reflect statements by Jason Tonioli.