Curtis McKonly

Contact: Curtis McKonly
Tel: 818.783.2547
Cell: 917.903.4095

Current Projects

Composing the score for a new musical RAINBOW JUNCTION.

November, 2004

Curtis moves to Los Angeles, having lived in New York City for over 25 years.

December, 2003

No New Chestnuts On That Open Fire:
All the Good Christmas Songs are Aging

by Dru Sefton

Curtis McKonly, a New York City composer, arranger and musician, continues to write Christmas songs. He's even designed a line of cards inspired by one of his tunes, "Will Santa Come This Year?"

A bit of the lyrics: "When I see the snow and mistletoe, I know the day is near. With my heart aglow, how can I know 'Will Santa come this year?'

McKonly wrote the song in 1989. He's still championing it. "There are writers out here writing good Christmas songs, but having a hard time getting to the artists," McKonly said. "In the old days, writers had publishers that got songs to the artists.

And, artists back then were interested in recording new Christmas songs. "We had a lot of great performers, like Nat King Cole and Gene Autrey that would make the songs popular," McKonly said.

Those who study and enjoy Christmas music hold out hope that there are still classics being written.

© 2003 Newhouse News Service

December, 2003

Welcome Yule!
Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Chorus
Duain Wolfe, conductor
Gary Fry, director

Curtis orchestrates THE SONG IN OUR HEARTS, composed by Gary Fry, for this year's festive concert.

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Star Bright

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May 1996

Curtis arranges The First Noel for Vanessa Williams for her Christmas CD, STAR BRIGHT. The CD received GOLD certification by the RIAA on January 7, 1997.

SONGS FOR AMERICA

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September 2001

Curtis composes Heal The Pain We Bear | The Pledge Of Allegiance as a tribute to the events of September 11. The CD was released in November of 2001. Many performances of these songs were presented in the New York area.

Christmas Present

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August 2002

Rick Henly, trumpeter, records his CD, CHRISTMAS PRESENT for a Christmas release of that year. Curtis arranged The Christmas Song and his song, Will Santa Come This Year? for solo trumpet, orchestra and choir.

Love Like Fire

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June 2000

Rick Henly records his first CD, LOVE LIKE FIRE. Curtis arranges Sun & Moon for orchestra. Recently, Curtis reorchestrated the symphonic arrangement for concert band, which was performed by Rick in the summer of 2006.

For Once

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February 1999

Jeff Kievit commissioned Curtis to arrange When I Look In Your Eyes for solo trumpet and orchestra, featuring vocalist Brian Stokes Mitchell. This beautiful song, written by Leslie Bricusse is from the movie DOCTOR DOLITTLE starring Rex Harrison.

Truth

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July 1999

The Bethel Pentecostal Choir of Long Island, NY asked Curtis to orchestrate their second CD, THIS TRUTH SHALL TRIUMPH.

Our God

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September 1997

Curtis orchestrated selections for OUR GOD IS ONE, the first CD released by the choir from the Bethel Pentecostal Church.

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