Mary Bichner is an American orchestral composer of opera and ballet with sound-to-color synesthesia — a neurological condition that allows her to “see” splashes of specific colors when she hears their corresponding pitches sounded.
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Atlanta Philharmonic Orchestra Composition Contest Winner for "Oh, The OF It All!"
September 27, 2026
Mary is honored that "Oh, the OF It All!", the orchestral mini-ballet she composed based on a libretto by the wonderful John J King, was named one of three winners of the Atlanta Philharmonic Orchestra's 2026 Composition Contest. The piece will receive its live premiere by the APO in February 2027, as part of the orchestra's soon-to-be-announced 2026-2027 season.
Composed for a traditional mid-sized ballet orchestra consisting of 2 flutes (flute + flute/piccolo), 2 oboes (oboe + oboe/English horn), 2 clarinets (clarinet + bass clarinet), 2 bassoons (bassoon + bassoon/contrabassoon), 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones (2 tenor + 1 bass), tuba, timpani, percussion (snare drum, triangle, gong), piano, celesta, harp, and string orchestra; "Oh, the OF It All!" tells the tale of American illustrator Edward Gorey’s fondness for the New York City Ballet and its legendary choreographer, George Balanchine.
The piece was recorded in-studio by the Budapest Scoring Orchestra in October of 2022, but the 2027 performance by the Atlanta Philharmonic Orchestra will mark the work's very first live performance.
Thank you so much to the APO for selecting "Oh, the OF It All!" for its 2026 Composition Competition Contest, and looking forward to the premiere!
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