Biography

Andrew Strawn is an American composer who writes dramatic music for the concert hall. Known for his direct melodic style, dynamic orchestration, and evocative harmonic language, his music engages with the audience through romantic, lyrical expression and earnest storytelling. Often drawing from literature and visual art, his works explore topics such as faith, the relationship between joy and sorrow, and changes of soul.
 
Notable commissions include the CCM Concert Orchestra, CCM Wind Symphony, CCM Wind Ensemble, CCM Saxophone Ensemble, UC Symphony Orchestra, and many chamber ensembles and soloists. He was recognized as a finalist for the American Prize in instrumental chamber music, the National Young Composers Challenge, as well as the MakeMusic International Young Composers Competition. In 2023, he won first prize in the Cincinnati SongSLAM. Recently, his first symphony, Confluence, was recorded by Ablaze records for their upcoming album featuring new significant works for wind band.
 
As a conductor, Andrew organized the Ryle Student Wind Ensemble which premiered and recorded three new works in 2021. He has also led the UC Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Youth Saxophone Ensemble, and the Ryle High School Wind Symphony for his own works. He is currently the music director of the Cincinnati Horn Collective.
 
Andrew holds degrees from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) where he studied composition with Douglas Knehans, Michael Fiday, and Ellen Harrison; and saxophone performance with James Bunte and Carly Hood. Outside of music, he is a Kentucky Governor’s Scholar and greatly enjoys both academic and fictional literature. (b. 2003)