Commissions
As a composer and arranger, John has been commissioned to write works for professional ensembles such as the Grammy Award winning Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia, Band of Bones, Luis Bonilla’s I Talking too Big Band and the HGM Big Band as well as writing for his big band, John Yao & His 17-piece Instrument. Yao has also been commissioned to compose or arrange for many college, university and high schools at various levels of skill. Writing commissions for a specific ensemble allows each work to be tailored to challenge the ensemble. Each commission is a collaborative process where John and the director of the ensemble work together to create a work that highlights the strengths of the ensemble while yet pushing them to new limits.