Creativity runs in Jason Noble’s blood.
It also runs in his family bloodline.
He is a second-year master’s composition student at Western, but his artistic output isn’t limited to notes. He’s a published author as well as composer. This summer, he attended a book signing where people lined up for autographs and the media came out in force.
His book, The Stupendous Adventure of Gregory Green, could also be the stupendous adventure of Jason Noble. The adventure started with an idea to engage children in reading and music, with an underlying moral about the environment. “I remember being young and loving a good story, lively music and lots of colours and pictures,” he said.
He also participated recently in children’s theatre and was struck by the fact that children still love those things, despite the dubious role models on MTV, the abundance of high-tech toys and violent video games. “Kids still want good to triumph over evil.”
He wrote about Gregory saving the forest from becoming a dump, and the domain of the troll monsters Sawtooth, Sludge and Smog. “Gregory has a choice to run and save himself or save the forest,” said Noble. “The trolls’ greed is their undoing. This is a fun story with lively language and music. The morals are evident under the surface. The concept was inspired by Peter and the Wolf.”
Noble, from Petty Harbour, Nfld., was awarded a grant from the Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council to record the music with narration. He decided to keep the production roles in the family by asking his artist brother and actor uncle to contribute. Great uncle Gordon just happens to be Gordon Pinsent, legendary actor with numerous honours, including the Order of Canada and Canada’s Walk of Fame.
“Knowing he was in the family was an inspiration,” said Noble. “He showed it was possible to have a career in the arts.” And Pinsent agreed to narrate the story. “He read the story like I never could and brought the story to life,” said Noble.
“My brother Matthew is a visual artist with a degree from Sir Wilfred Grenfell, so naturally he was my first choice. It was a little different from most books. We went to a publisher with a complete package and they responded immediately.
“Boulder Publications produced the book and CD, available in stores in the Maritimes and through Amazon and Chapters online. “It’s not of local interest only,” said Noble. “It is clearly inspired by my experience in Newfoundland, but it has farther reaching appeal.”
At a book signing in St. John’s, a steady stream of purchasers lined up for autographs from Noble and Pinsent, many with several copies in hand.
Noble has more book ideas in the works, not just in children’s literature. But for now, his focus is back on his music. He is finishing his master’s degree with Omar Daniel and working his second year as composer-in-residence for the Newfoundland and Labrador Music Teachers’ Association. His works will be broadcast by the CBC during Canada Music Week and a recital is planned of his two collections of piano music and children’s songs.
“A lot of students learned my music so I am going home to hear them and offer feedback. Writing music for children to perform has a much different set of limitations than a book, but you are still trying to delight children with art.”
London audiences can hear his compositions at several concerts throughout the year at the Don Wright Faculty of Music. Mo Farag will perform Trail of Socrates for solo violin, the Wind Ensemble presents Doppelpolitik and the UWO Singers will perform Even As We Fail to Understand in April. His thesis composition will also be performed in the spring.
A number of graduate students will include his compositions in their recitals. Noble sings with Amabile Primus and his work Waves was commissioned by the choir to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
Noble taught piano, theory and composition for three years and worked as an accompanist. He plans to pursue his doctorate degree and return to teaching. But he would like to make composing his primary focus.
