Podcast - Joe Jaxson

David Fogel Interviews Composer 
Joe Jaxson

Composer-in-Residence for the Richmond Symphony and the Austin Brass Band, the young composer’s conspicuous rise has included an array of recent commissions, performances and appearances: the Richmond Symphony ("Born in the Iron Grip"), The International Horn Society ("Fantasia"), Sandbox Percussion Quartet ("Treeflowers”), Paramount x 5 Alarm Songwriting Camp First Time Composers Program, and “Through the Bay” with the James Madison University Symphony Orchestra and a consortium of ten orchestras across the country--which earned Joe a win in the 2025 American Prize in Composition. Born in NY in 2000 and raised in Staunton, VA, the Jaxson household was filled with the euphonious sounds of Smooth Jazz, Soul, R&B, Classical, and Christian Gospel. Growing up with these genres contributed to Joe developing a diverse apprecation for music and sound that is reflected in his work. Joe earned his B.M. in Composition at James Madison University in 2022, studying with professors Eric Guinivan and Jason Haney. In Spring 2027, Joe will complete his Doctoral studies at UT Austin, where he studied with Professors Donald Grantham, Yevgeniy Sharlat, and Omar Thomas.

Please enjoy this long-format conversation between David Fogel (CEO, The Symphonina Foundation) and Joe.