Music Résumé and Bio
 
 

 

 

Don “Orfeo” Rechtman (唐瑞民)
No. 91 302, Wutong Shan Chi Shui Dong Cun
Donghu Street, Luohu District, Shenzhen City, Guangdong, China  518114
广东省深圳市罗湖区东湖街道梧桐山赤水洞村91302
518114
Phone (China): (+86) 135-2889-6144
Weixin (WeChat) name:  oorfeo

Areas of Specialty:

Performance Arts instruction and performance; tonal music composition for all instruments and voices; classical improvisation; music for theater and stage.

Private Instruction:

1968 – current.

ACHIEVEMENTS:

English Editor and Voiceover Artist,  Shenzhen Daily News (May 2020 - Jan. 2024)

Independent Performance Arts Consulting (May 2018 - current)
Provides guidance and support to various schools, training centers, and organizations in Shenzhen, Nanchang and other parts of China.

Performed in the musical "Cinderella," December, 2019, in the role of Sebastian.

DreamBox Education (Aug. 2013 - May 2018)
Co-founded DreamBox Education to provide progressive education in performing arts along with STEAM and other programs.

Private Music Instruction, 深圳市音乐之声琴行有限公司 (The Sound of Music Shenzhen Overseas Co., Ltd.), March, 2012-May, 2020.

Instructor of Performance Arts, China-UK College, Shenzhen, Guangdong China, March 2012-July 2012

“Zen of Zen” concert, “F518 Idea Land,” Bao’an District, Shenzhen, July, 2011

Instructor of Music and English, Jiangxi Dayu College, Nanchang, Jiangxi China, 2007-January 2012

Presented bilingual presentation of an Eastern version of the “Spirituality of Music” to the Music Department of Jiangxi Dayu College, Nanchang, Jiangxi China, March, 2010

Composing, performing and teaching music in China, 2007-Current.

Music Director, Unitarian Universalist Church of Gwinnett, Lawrenceville, GA USA, Feb. 2005 - Dec. 2006

Recorded a CD "Don Orfeo in Concert at Serenity Lakes," music "to relax, inspire and energize."

Composed and produced "Songs My Dolphin Taught Me, Vol. 2," a one-hour CD of meditative dolphin energy music.

Directed the Decatur Civic Chorus in its performances of Spring is Here and The 23rd Psalm, May 15, 2005

Directed the Decatur Civic Chorus in its performance of O Blessed Night, Dec. 12, 2004.

Presented Schwinn Fei, or the Boulder Art of Bicycle Arranging, a recital concert of original music, June 6, 2004 at Lawrenceville United Methodist Church as part of their monthly concert series.

Choir Director, First Moravian Church of Georgia, 2003-Feb. 2005

Qualified for tax-exempt fiscal agency by the DeKalb Council of the Arts (Georgia) for fundraisings and commissions.

Played role of Chuch in Gazzo’s A Hatful of Rain at the Underground Theater, November, 2002.

Presented sermon "The Spirituality of Music" at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Spartanburg, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Boone, NC, the Foothills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Tryon, NC, and at the Universalist Church of Camp Hill, AL in 2002.

Premiered the choral-piano version of the one-act dramatic oratorio Intimations of Immortality in Boulder, Colorado in a performance involving over 60 performers, May, 2002.

Published a choral setting of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, 2001. It was premiered March, 2001 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder.

Presented sermon “The Spirituality of Music” at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Cocoa, FL in 1999, and at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder, CO, and at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Colorado Springs, CO in 1998.

Created "Gathering Lights" CD, live unedited improvisations accompanying guided meditations during the "Festival of Humanity" in Reno, NV, April 1998.

Various works performed at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder and other locations, 1997-2002.

Music Education Director for the Boulder Philharmonic Academy’s Arts Alive! 1996 Summer Camp.

Founded and performed with MuNada, an improvisational ensemble incorporating classical Japanese, Hindustani and Western music traditions.

Recitals and workshops presented in Colorado from 1993 to 2002.

Composed and produced GemProvisations tape of new-age music, October, 1992.

Qualified for the Georgia Council of the Arts’ “Artists in Education” program through 1992.

Composed and recorded Can’t Go Back Again and was sound technologist for Neighborhood Playhouse Theater’s production of Lanford Wilson’s play Fifth of July, April, 1990.

Composed and directed music for a dramatic reading of Aeschylus’ The Persians, performed at Emory University February 27 - March 4, 1990.

Wrote, arranged, directed and performed music for 7 Stages Theater’s April, 1989 production of Jim Grimsley’s White People.

Was one of three panelists for a February 26, 1989 international symposium in Ottawa, Ontario entitled "What Are You Doing For the Rest of Your Life?" sponsored by Jewish Student’s Union—Hillel.

Musical Massage recitals given January 18, February 5, and May 12, 1989.

Coached Berkmar High School Theatre Program class on process of creating, directing and producing a musical, Winter-Spring, 1989.

Completed apprenticeship with James Faller at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Atlanta; among other works, composed and directed a dramatic musical setting of the "Christ the King" lessons performed

November 20, 1988, and a Christmas carol O Blessed Night performed December 24, 1988.

July, 1987, wrote and recorded incidental music for piano, voice and synthesizer for Tennessee Williams’ Talk to Me Like the Rain and Let Me Listen, performed by the Dunwoody Stage Door Players.

April-May, 1987, designed the sound and music for the Performance Gallery’s contribution to the Beckett Atlanta Festival.

WORKS PERFORMED:

WeAre… (baritone, piano), words and music by Don, his first Chinese song (in English), November 10, 2008. Performed various places around China.

A Bird Will Sing (baritone, piano), words and music by Don, first performed by the composer at Jiangxi Dayu College, Nanchang, Jiangxi China, December 25, 2007

Dona Nobis Pacem (a cappella choir), original setting of text, performed at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Gwinnett, Easter, April 16, 2006.

The 23rd Psalm (Baritone, choir, piano and harp; trad. Text), piano only version performed at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Gwinnett, March 27, 2005; first full version performed by the Decatur Civic Chorus, May 15, 2005.

Peace Sonata, a 35 minute three-movement work. Performed by Orfeo at the Lawrenceville Road United Methodist Church, June, 2004.

Intimations of Immortality, a dramatic oratorio in one act. The version performed was an unstaged piano-choral arrangement, May, 2002.

Lincoln’s Address at Gettysburg, a choral setting, performed at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder, March, 2001.

Twilight and Night Bring the Dawn, performed by Alan Davis, Marc Heeg, Director. Boulder Unitarian Church, Boulder Unitarian Fellowship, Jefferson Unitarian Church, Golden, CO. Performed with choir, tenor solo, accompaniment and dance, November - December, 1995, October, 1998.

O Blessed Night (Piano, Choir, Tenor), performed at the Boulder Unity Church, December 24, 1993.

Hatikva, an arrangement commissioned for the Ahavath Achim synagogue’s 100th anniversary, performed by the Atlanta Symphony Brass Quintet, March 1, 1987.

Dreams of the Heart (Mezzo with Piano Accomp.); performed by Diane Bosse and Walter Huff.

Ring Christmas Bells (arr. for Brass Quintet); performed by the Atlanta Symphony Brass Quintet.

Woeful Walrus Waltz (Brass Quintet); performed by the Atlanta Symphony Brass Quintet.

Christmas at Callanwolde Cantata (Organ, two recorders, tenor solo, and children’s chorus); performed by the Callanwolde Children’s Choir and the Callanwolde Recorder Ensemble, and Chris Schauffer, Tenor; directed by the composer.

Lover’s Lullaby (from the Blue Bird; Soprano and Baritone, Piano accompaniment); performed by Southeastern Savoyards.

COMMISSIONS:

Apple Tree Suite, String Orchestra.

Come Into My Life Forever, Soprano-Tenor Duet with String Quartet, Piano and Organ accompaniment.

On Time, Baritone with Piano accompaniment.

Judy, Joy of Martin’s Desiring, Baritone with Piano accompaniment.

Grand Polonaise, Piano.

RECITALS:

Presented Schwinn Fei, or the Boulder Art of Bicycle Arranging, a recital concert of original music, June 6, 2004 at Lawrenceville United Methodist Church as part of their monthly concert series.

Premiered the choral-piano version of the one-act dramatic oratorio Intimations of Immortality in Boulder, Colorado in a performance involving over 60 performers, May, 2002.

"Orfeo’s Senior Recital: 25 Years Too Late," July 29, 2000, a full recital of original music, including a chorus with accompanists, soloists, a dancer, a brass quintet and a string quartet, presented at the Boulder Library Auditorium.

Guest artist, piano recital, Atlanta Music Club.

Guest artist, piano recital, "An Evening of Original Classical Music" at Callanwolde Fine Arts Center.

Piano Recital, "A Musical Extravaganza" of compositions, improvisations, and discussions of musical theory and esthetics at the Cliff Valley Unitarian Church in Atlanta.

PERFORMING/DIRECTING EXPERIENCE:

Various recitals and performances in China, many connected with Jiangxi Dayu University, 2008-2012.

September, 2000 – March, 2001, music and drama director at The Bridge School, a private middle-high school.

November 21 - 22, 1986, wrote and directed incidental music written for voices and lyre for Theater Emory’s production of Homer’s Iliad.

Music Director, Gateway Private School, 1986-1987

October 25, 1985, gave Master Class in Classical Improvisation at Georgia College, Milledgeville, Ga.

Arranged, directed and performed music for Alice in America, a children's musical written by Jaz Dorsey.

October 30 - November 8, 1986, wrote, directed and performed incidental music written for voices and organ for Theater Emory’s production of Ibsen’s Brand

Composed, directed and performed incidental music for Horizon Theatre’s May, 1985 production of Gardenia.

Directed choirs for weddings and other occasions.

Live performance, vocal roles in various Gilbert & Sullivan productions by the Southeastern Savoyards, Atlanta, Georgia.

Assistant director of the Savoyard’s production of Pinafore.

Performed with the Emory University Orchestra, String Bass.

AWARDS RECEIVED:

February, 2002, Received Ahab/Addision mini-grant for a May, 2002 performance of “Intimations of Immortality,” boulder, Colorado

May, 1995, Bachelor of Arts in Music, Canterbury University, Cheshire, England

March, 1985, Recognized by Georgia Council of the Arts as qualified for the "Artists in Education" program; completed 18 week residency in Sandersville, Georgia from August to December 1985.

January, 1981, Guest artist, piano recital, for "Young Performers of Atlanta", at Mercer University, sponsored by the Atlanta Music Club.

May, 1980, "Composer of the Year for Georgia", recognition by the National League of American Penwomen.

Introductory Bio

for

Don “Orfeo” Rechtman

January, 2024

Don Orfeo moved to China September, 2007 to pursue his musical career in the country he feels offers the World its best hope for Peace. He taught music and of English as a second language (ESL) at Jiangxi Dayu University, a major private college in Nanchang, the capital city of China's Jiangxi Province. He also taught drama and ESL as an instructor of performance arts at the China-UK College (a middle/high school preparatory school for Chinese students) in Shenzhen. He taught state-of-the-art performance arts programs for DreamBox Arts, a school he helped establish. He currently provides performance arts consulting services for schools, training centers, and organizations.

As a musical intuitive, he performs music that communicates much the way a psychic would, only with music instead of words. This works well in a one-on-one situation, but also works in the concert setting and as an adjunct modality to various therapies, especially massage. Similarly, his classical music invokes a spirituality reminiscent of the Romantic music masters.

Don has been active in music for theater since his involvement with The Southeastern Savoyards in 1981 in Atlanta, Georgia USA. In Atlanta, he composed, directed and performed music for Dunwoody Stage Door Players’ production of “Talk to Me Like the Rain,” Horizon Theatre’s production of “Gardenia,” Theater Emory’s productions of Ibsen’s “Brand” and the “Iliad,” the Performance Gallery’s contribution to the Beckett Atlanta Festival, and 7-Stages Theater’s production of Jim Grimsley’s “White People.” He assisted Shenzhen Musical Theatre Summer Camp in which young students performed fully staged excerpts from the musicals Peter Pan, Annie, and Sound of Music. In 2019 he performed in the musical "Cinderella" in the role of Sebastian.

He has received numerous commissions, completed residences through the Georgia and National Councils of the Arts, performed on stage, written for theater, presented master classes at both the university and high school levels, and teaches privately. He taught a course on computers and music at the Naropa Institute in Boulder, and also has more than twelve years experience in technical writing and music typesetting.

He composed music for the installation services of several Unitarian Universalist ministers; works included a selection of verses from Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself,” “Spring is Here” (co written with the Church’s Religious Education class), and “Lincoln’s Address at Gettysburg: 1863.” His “Spirituality of Music” presentation has been given to Unitarian Universalist churches and other groups in Colorado, Georgia, Alabama, the Carolinas, and Florida, and more recently presented an updated bilingual version to audiences in China.

In 2000 he presented a variety of his music in a full-length concert entitled “Orfeo’s Senior Recital: 25 Years Too Late,” and in May 2002 presented a concert of his music in Boulder, Colorado USA. This concert included over 60 performers and was the world premiere of the piano-choral version of his 45-minute work “Intimations of Immortality.”

In 2011, he introduced his "Zen of Zen" concert at the F518 Arts venue in Bao'an, Shenzhen, which involved several additional performers in a largely improvised performance of classical and new age music.

His current ongoing projects are the composition of his comic operetta, "The Ugly Duckling," which has what he calls "a self-inflicted deadline for completion of the piano-vocal score by June, 2024," and the orchestration of his composition "Ode: Intimations of Immortality." He has already written several works since his relocation to China, including several Chinese songs.

Don’s published new-age music includes “Gathering Lights,” musical accompaniment to channeled meditations, and "Songs My Dolphin Taught Me, Vol. 2" one continuous hour of meditative dolphin energy music.

COMPOSITION CHRONOLOGY

Bagatelle in Eb; February 2021; piano

道可道 (Dao Ke Dao), February 2020; voice, Chinese instruments. A setting of the first verse of the Dao de Jing.

鄱阳湖上好风光 (Poyang Lake) (soprano, orchestra), words by Jiangxi poet 徐昭昌作词, music by Don, his first Chinese song in English, September 15, 2010. Recorded for a contest; played on radio in Jiangxi province, China.

We Are… (baritone, piano), words and music by Don, his first Chinese song (in English), November 10, 2008.

A Bird Will Sing (baritone, piano), words and music by Don, first performed by the composer at Jiangxi Dayu College, Nanchang, Jiangxi China, December 25, 2007.

Dona Nobis Pacem (a cappella choir), original setting of text, performed at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Gwinnett, Easter, April 16, 2006.

The 23rd Psalm (Baritone, choir, piano and harp; trad. Text), piano only version performed at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Gwinnett, March 27, 2005; first full version performed by the Decatur Civic Chorus, May 15, 2005.

Orchestration of O Blessed Night, performed by The Decatur Civic Chorus, Dec. 6, 2004.

Apple Tree Suite, String Orchestra. February, 2003.

Intimations of Immortality (a dramatic oratorio in One Act; libretto by William Wordsworth); May, 2002; piano-vocal version performed May, 2002. Orchestration in process.

Lincoln’s Address at Gettysburg, 1863 (SATB choral setting), first performed at the Unitarian Church of Boulder, March, 2001. Orchestration in process.

Five-fold Blessing of the Goddess (Baritone with piano; words traditional), first performed at the Unitarian Church of Boulder, 1999.

Song of Myself (Anthem for choir, piano, and instruments; words by Walt Whitman), first performed at the Unitarian Church of Boulder, February, 1997.

Spring is Here! (Anthem for choir with piano), first performed at the Unitarian Church of Boulder, June, 1995.

Intimations of Immortality, Verses II and III (arranged for baritone, choir and piano), first performed at the Unitarian Church of Boulder by the composer with synthesizer accompaniment February 5, 1995, and again with full choir April 16, 1995.

GemProvisations, an improvised recording of new-age music inspired by gemstones, October, 1992.

Can’t Go Back Again (Fifth of July), incidental song for the Neighborhood Playhouse June production of Lanford Wilson’s play Fifth of July, April, 1990.

Look, Ye, to the Lord (acapella Choir, Soprano), first performed by St. John’s Lutheran Choir, January 21, 1990

Hungarian Rhapsody No. 42 (Piano), first performed by the composer at Musical Massage recitals, 1989.

O Blessed Night (Piano, Choir, Mezzo), first performed by St. John’s Lutheran Choir, James Faller, Organ, December 25, 1988.

Christ the King (Organ, Choir, Synthesizer), a dramatic setting of the texts for the Last Sunday in Advent (Christ the King); performed by St. John’s Lutheran Choir, James Faller, Organ, and the composer, bass and synthesizer, November 20, 1988.

Talk to Me Like the Rain and Let Me Listen (Piano, Voice, and Synthesizer), incidental music to Tennessee Williams’ play of the same name; performed July 24, 1987.

Hatikva (Arr. Brass Quintet, February 15, 1987), written for and first performed by the Atlanta Symphony Brass Quintet, March 1, 1987.

Dreams of the Heart (Mezzo with Piano Accomp.; September, 1985), first performed by Diane Bosse, Walter Huff Accomp., 1985.

Gardenia (Incidental Music) (Flute and Piano, 1985), first performed by Atlanta Chamber Players’ members Paula Peace and Melanie Kramer, 1985.

Come Into My Life Forever (Soprano & Tenor, String Quartet & Piano Accomp.; Words by E. Hooks; October, 1984), first performed by Sharon & Oliver Sueing, the Strings of Faith Quartet, the composer at the piano, directed by the composer, October, 1984 (a commissioned work).

On Time (Medium Voice, Piano Accomp.; Words by John Milton; 1983), a commissioned work), first performed by Diane Bosse, Walter Huff Accomp., 1985.

Lover’s Lullaby (Soprano & Tenor, Piano Accomp.; 1983), first performed by Southeastern Savoyards’ members Neil Clark & Teresa Albert, accomp. by the composer, 1983.

Grand Polonaise (Piano, 1982), first performed by the composer, 1982.  A commissioned work.

Lover’s Waltz (Baritone, Piano Accomp., 1983), first performed by Southeastern Savoyards’ member Pete Chambers, accomp. by Beverly Baughman, 1983.

Tessa’s Lament (For Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Gondoliers) (Mezzo, Orchestra; Words by W. S. Gilbert; November, 1984), first performed by Southeastern Savoyards, November, 1984.

Prophy (Baritone, Piano Accomp., 1983). A commissioned work.

Cydnie’s Lullaby (Piano, Voice, 1983), first performed by the composer, 1983. A commissioned work.

Judy, Joy of Martin’s Desiring (Baritone, Piano Accomp., 1982), first performed by Pete Chambers, accomp. by the composer, 1983. A commissioned work.

Love’s Waterfall (Baritone, Piano Accomp., 1982), first performed by Neil Clark accomp. by the composer, 1983.

Symphonetta a 3 voci a’la Bach (String Trio, 1982)

Sonatina a’la Mozart (Piano, 1981), first performed by the composer, 1982. A commissioned work.

Christmas at Callanwolde Cantata (Organ, recorders, tenor, children’s choir, 1979), first performed by the Callanwolde Children’s Choir and the Callanwolde Recorder Ensemble, Chris Schauffer, tenor, directed by the composer, 1980.

Woeful Walrus Waltz (Brass Quintet, 1979), first performed by the Atlanta Symphony Brass Quintet, 1979.

Three Folk Dances (Piano, 1979), first performed by the composer, 1980.

Girl With the Black Satin Smile (Piano, 1979), first performed by the composer, 1980.

Mazurka-Polonaise (Piano, 1975, revised 1979), first performed by the composer, 1980.

Hesitation Rag (Piano, 1978), first performed by the composer, 1980.

The Children’s Hour (Female Chorus, Piano accomp., 1976).

Twilight and Night Bring the Dawn (Tenor, Piano accomp., 1975), first performed by Pete Chambers, voice, Pam Jones, dance, and accomp. by the composer, 1981.

Nocturne (Piano, 1971).

151st Psalm (Accapella Chorus, 1967), read by high school chorus, 1967.

One of My Dreams (Tenor, Piano, 1967), first performed by Pete Chambers, accomp. by the composer, 1981. Rewritten and sung by the composer, accompanied by Michael Tilly, July, 2001.

Sufferings of Job (Piano, 1967), first performed by the composer, 1981.

Three Themes for the Ballet “Cupid and Psyche” (Piano, 1967), first performed by the composer, 1968.

Meditation on Pride and Conceit (Piano, 1967), first performed by the composer, 1968.

Meditation on Patience (Piano, 1967).

Aria from “The Wild Asses’ Skin” (Baritone, Piano accomp., 1966).

Chopsticks (Arrangement for Chamber Orchestra, 1966), first performed by students at Brevard Music Camp, directed by the composer, 1966.

 

 

Last modified: 02/23/22