TCNJ

22 The College of New Jersey Magazine EVER SINCE ODONKOR discovered the saxophone the summer before sixth grade, his world has revolved around notes and melodies and the kaleidoscope of emotions that the right combinations can spark. His pursuit of a career in music began with an eight-bar middle school sax solo and eventually landed him at the center of TCNJ's music community, where he was everywhere all at once, practicing, performing, and always — always — listening. Now, four years after graduating with a BA in music, Odonkor boasts a resume featuring collaborations with some of the biggest names on Broad- way, including Josh Groban, Idina Menzel, and composer and lyricist Andrew Lippa. He orchestrated and arranged the music for a benefit concert honoring Lin-Manuel Miranda and was part of the music team for Here We Are, Stephen Sondheim's last musical. And he's currently juggling a dozen projects that reflect his wide-ranging talents: supervising and arranging the music for Starting Up, a new musical comedy aiming to open Off-Broadway next year; working with artists ranging from comedian Alex Edelman to Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Michael R. Jackson; and serving as an TERENCE ODONKOR at his home in Hamilton Heights in New York. " MUSIC BRINGS ME SO MUCH jOy." executive music producer for a still-top-secret television show. Odonkor is 27 years old and just getting started. "Music brings me so much joy," he says. "I want to make things that make people feel as excited as I do. I want to be the Quincy Jones of this generation. Or, more accurately, I want to be the Terence Odonkor of any generation."

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