Composer-in-Residence for the Richmond Symphony and the Austin Brass Band, Joe Jaxson is enjoying the whirlwind of a burgeoning professional career that is coinciding with the culmination of his academic pursuits as he continues his doctoral studies.
The young composer’s conspicuous rise has included an array of recent commissions, performances and appearances, including the Richmond Symphony for “Born in the Iron Grip”, The International Horn Society, “First Time Composers program | Paramount x 5 Alarm Songwriting Camp” (2024), “Through the Bay” – winner of the American Prize in Composition with the James Madison University Symphony Orchestra and a consortium of ten orchestras across the country (2023-Present), and “Treeflowers” (2023) performed by the Sandbox Percussion Quartet.

Born in NY (b.2000) and raised in Staunton, VA, the Jaxson(Jackson) household was filled with the euphonious sounds of Smooth Jazz, Soul, R&B, and more thanks to his father; whereas on his mother’s side was Classical and Christian Gospel. Having grown up with these genres blended every which way contributed to Joe developing a strong ear for music and sound. Joe earned his B.M. in Composition at James Madison University in 2022, studying with professors Eric Guinivan and Jason Haney. Finishing up his Doctoral studies at UT Austin, studying with Professors Donald Grantham, Yevgeniy Sharlat, Omar Thomas, Joe works in multiple mediums (Band, Orchestra, Chamber, etc.) to create a diverse and multi-faceted portfolio writing everything from beginning band to experimental foley however championing his want to collaborate and connect with mass audiences.