Award-winning Los Angeles-based film and concert composer Stephen Cohn considers this to be another step forward in Cooper’s career and the future of classical music.

“Alex is an important new voice in today’s New Music,” said Cohn, who has instructed Cooper since 2023. “Alex is a distinct and charismatic musical personality with a sensitivity to the power of harmony. He really wants to reach people with his unique point of view and access to an imagination that many artists aspire to. He has a long career ahead of him and is just at the beginning of his voyage.”

Within the last 15 months, two of Cooper’s pieces have debuted in Northeast Florida: “Rhapsody for Robin,” performed by the San Marco Chamber Music Society, and “Acoustic Analog,” performed by the Florida Chamber Music Project. These performances have brought attention and widespread acclaim to Cooper’s works, with many more on the horizon.

There is no admission charge for St. Augustine Music Festival performances, which include musicians from the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra and many renowned guest artists.