Odisha boy creating waves in USA as a music composer

Reported by Malay Ray
Rourkela, Feb 25:

Vaibhav Mohanty, a 16 year old boy whose parents belong to Odisha, has made a name for himself in USA for his musical compositions.

Teenage prodigy Vaibhav Mohanty
Teenage prodigy Vaibhav Mohanty

The high school student who lives with his parents Bidyut & Sangeeta Mohanty in Charleston in South Carolina in USA loves to compose for concert bands, small ensembles and jazz bands.  His performances have brought him multiple national and international recognitions leading to performances at various venues in America, including one at the world famous Grand Ole Opry House.

Vaibhav has been playing the piano since age 4, saxophone since age 9 and has been composing original western music since he was 9.  He composed ‘Floodgate of Happiness’ on piano, which won the first prize at the school and state level. His composition also received an honorable mention in a national level competition.

‘Altitude’, which he wrote when he was only 13, was performed by Piedmont Wind Symphony at Winston-Salem, North Carolina by about 50 musicians and by All-National Honor Band of National Association for Music Education (NAfME) at Grand Ole Opry House, Nashville, Tennessee using more than two dozen instruments.

Vaibhav, a recipient of a National YoungArts Foundation award, later showcased his musical talent in Miami, Florida during National YoungArts week.

‘Verve Street’, which he wrote at age 15, has been performed by 20 professional musicians of Charleston Jazz Orchestra last October.  A gifted young musician, he was honored at the South Carolina Music Educators’ Conference and has already won 6 national and international music competitions, has been a finalist in one national competition and has got two national honorable mentions in music competitions.

After Vaibhav turned a professional music composer, JPM Music Publication in Festus, Missouri, USA published his music compositions such as ‘Scherzo’, ‘Train Ride’ and ‘Humoresque’ while Lighthouse Music Publishing in Ontario, Canada will publish ‘Altitude’ soon. Several of his compositions are in the process of review for publication.

A talented student, he has got admission to Harvard University to pursue his college studies and is planning to join in fall.

“We feel fortunate for our son’s achievements,” said his parents Bidyut Mohanty & Sangeeta Mohanty to OST over phone from USA.

“I want to compose more and more music,” said Vaibhav Mohanty speaking to OST. When asked about his future plans, Vaibhav said “I want to be a doctor.”

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