Don “Orfeo” Rechtman,
a composer of classical, Chinese and new age music.
The Transformation of Music Education...inspired by a new definition of music
Don has written an article introducing his new definition of music together with the background justifying the definition. The article also offers ways the definition may serve as an impetus to dramatically alter music education and arts education as well as serve as a guide for a pedagogic transformation of all other subjects.
You may see the PDF article here.
Feel free to contact him if you would like him to present his definition to your school or organization.
Don has composed the vocal/piano score for Act One of his Gilbert & Sullivan-styled comic operetta; he anticipates completing the second and final act by the end of the year. You may read the completed libretto and listen to the completed music at
The Ugly Duckling.
Don Orfeo’s
Ode: Intimations of Immortality
A Musical Drama in One Act
libretto by
William WordsworthIt is public domain, so first come, first served! (It's not necessary for me to participate in or be at your performances, but it would be nice if that could happen!)
To hear and see the completed music, go
here.
To hear the 6th verse with AI-generated voices, go here.
Details of the project may be found
NO KINGS MOVEMENT:
The citizens of the U.S. staged demonstrations in multiple cities in June, challenging Trump's developing autocratic rule of the government, including a massive national rally Saturday, October 18 2025 that took place in more than 2,500 U.S. cities and communities. An even larger national (international!) demonstration took place on March 28, 2026. While I was not able to participate directly when in China, I was active in demonstrations in Madison!
If you're in the U.S., you can find ways to participate in future activities at the organizing website www.nokings.org
NOTICE:
I composed an arrangement of the Israeli National Anthem long before the current ongoing genocide of Palestinians, and I was not yet aware of the 76-plus years of the oppression of the Palestinian people by the Israeli government and many of the Israeli citizens. I look forward to the day when Hatikva and Fida'i (the Palestinian National Anthem) can peacefully coexist and be performed by combined ensembles of Israelis and Palestinians. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fida%27i
.
Lots more stuff on the second home page!
Don and Sharon's performance 
team is called "Bug and Bear
(臭虫与熊); the webpage is here:
Available for Workshops,
Performances, Master Classes!
Why I no longer charge for printed or recorded music
All work by Don “Orfeo” Rechtman contained herein is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Contact Information--Current Address in Madison, Wisconsin USA (as of February 21, 2026)
Don “Orfeo” Rechtman (唐瑞民)
3101 Nottingham Way
Madison, WI 53713
Phone (608) 469-7424
Weixin (WeChat) name: oorfeo
Previous Shenzhen Longgang District address (July 28, 2025 thru Feb. 16, 2026)
Don “Orfeo” Rechtman (唐瑞民)
No. 13 Longping West Road, Fantian Space Pavilion 2210, Shangjing Community, Longcheng Street, Longgang District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China 518172
广东省深圳市龙岗区龙城街道尚景社区龙平西路13号非凡空间阁2210
518172
Phone (China): (+86) 135-2889-6144
Weixin (WeChat) name: oorfeo
don@orfeomusic.org
Previous Address in Shenzhen’s Luohu District (Sept. 6, 2023 thru July 28, 2025)
Don “Orfeo” Rechtman (唐瑞民)
Star Pavilion, Phase II, Wanshida Mingyuan, Taining Road, Luohu District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China 518001
广东省深圳市罗湖区太宁路万事达名苑二期明星阁
518001
Phone (China): (+86) 135-2889-6144
Weixin (WeChat) name: oorfeo
don@orfeomusic.org