About Music Director Paul Bonneau

Photo by Henrietta Wildsmith

Paul Bonneau has been Music Director for the Flower Mound Symphony Orchestra since 1996 and has enjoyed a career equally divided between conducting and composing. He has Bachelor, Master, and Doctor of Music degrees in composition from the University of North Texas. He began conducting in the late 1980's with the production of his original works for concert hall and modern dance. Dr. Bonneau has supervised the FMCO's growth to include the Symphony Orchestra and the founding of its two educational orchestras. The FM Preparatory Orchestra (since 1997) and the FM Progressive Orchestra (since 2001) are unique in that they include older children, teens and adult. This creative environment allows multi-generational families to participate together in ensembles.

His compositions include works for film, television, dance, orchestra and all manner of acoustic ensembles and solos. They have been performed internationally in England, Canada, Germany, France, Holland and the United States, including Carnegie Hall and the Juilliard School.

His works performed by the FMSO are:

• Motet for Orchestra (1996)
• Amy Music, Three Reflections for Orchestra (1996)
• Cats N Dogs, A True Story (1997)
• What's the Hurry, Mr. Murray? (1998)
• Latin Mass for Choir, Orchestra, Soprano and Mezzo-Soprano Soloists (2002)
• Concertino for Orchestra (2003)
• American Dream: I Want to Rule the World (2006)
• Red Shift Effect: The Expanding Universe and Class Reunions (2008)

Commissions awarded to Dr. Bonneau include:

• Red Shift Effect: the Expanding Universe and Class Reunions. Commissioned by Paul Stuart, Music Director for the Equinox Symphony Orchestra (Rochester, NY). Premiered with the composer conducting, April 2007.
• Sympathy for Dying Friend (for string orchestra). Commissioned by Sheldon Bair, Music Director for the Susquehanna Symphony Orchestra (Maryland). Performed June 2006 and May 2007.
• American Dream: I Want to Rule the World (for violin and orchestra). Commissioned in part by violinist Lewis Wong and The Greater Rochester Concert Outreach (New York). Premiered by Mr. Wong and the FMSO, March 2006.
• Global Warming, or, I Want to Drive a Hummer and Do My Best to Ruin the Environment, a Rant for Unaccompanied Violin. Commissioned and performed by Lewis Wong. Premiered at Carnegie Hall, October 2005.
• Fan Mail for the Common Man, Two Fanfares for Brass Quintet. Commissioned by Dan Cook and the brass quintet Pistons, Rotors and Slides. Premiered in Flower Mound, November 2004.
• Concerto for Two Horns and Orchestra. Commissioned by horn virtuosi Amy Stokes and Nancy Jarrett. (Performance TBD).
• Concerto for Piano, Saxophones and Orchestra for pianist and saxophonist Michael and Christy Springer. (Performance TBD).

Dr. Bonneau is the founder and Music Director for the Chancel Orchestra of Trietsch Memorial United Methodist Church in Flower Mound. His orchestral arrangements serve a congregation of 4,000 and can be heard during the 11 a.m. Sunday service. He also teaches music theory and musicianship courses at Richland College in Dallas and summer courses in composition at the University of North Texas.

He plays solo jazz piano; bass in his jazz trio Prescription Jazz, and in Trietsch's contemporary worship band Reign during 9:30 a.m. Sunday service; and baroque harpsichord.

Dr. Bonneau enjoys reading, visiting with friends and practicing yoga and rock climbing. And even though he thinks he might spontaneously combust, he probably won't. But he might.