About William
William Ögmundson is generally acknowledged to be one of the finest pianists in New England. He has performed numerous solo recitals and concerts while also making a name for himself as a collaborative pianist, composer and music director. William is also the organist and choir director at the First Congregational Church in Lebanon, NH.
William began performing at the age of 5, and went on to win numerous piano competitions throughout his middle- and high school years. During this time period, he was the featured pianist for the New Hampshire Music Festival Orchestra on four separate occasions. William has performed at numerous venues throughout Europe, most notably the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and at St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, as the organist for a Sunday morning mass.
In recent years, William has also begun to gain a reputation as a brilliant composer. He has written the music for the past five productions of the NorthEast Shakespeare Ensemble, which have been performed at the Lebanon Opera House in Lebanon, NH and at Colby Sawyer College in New London, NH. This year, William wrote original music for the tragedy “Othello”, directed by John Goodlin. Past productions that benefited from his touch include “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, “King Lear”, “Much Ado about Nothing”, and “A Comedy of Errors”. Musical excerpts from these can be found on his CD “Orpheus“.
In addition, William has composed the music for three original productions, and was commissioned to write a piece that was played at Plymouth State University’s 2ooth Anniversary celebration. One of the original productions, “Hope is Like a Feather” (2007) was performed both in the United States, and in South Africa. “Pollyanna” (2008) was first performed at Plymouth State University, and is currently gaining a world-wide following (Listen to a sample from Pollyanna). Most recently, “A Star-Spangled Salute,” a tribute to our men and women in uniform, was performed for the first time at the end of July, 2010.
William also provides piano instruction at Three Oaks Piano Studio in North Sutton, NH. His students range in age from 6-84, and although he often has a waiting list, he is always happy to speak with prospective students.
Will often entertains his audiences by performing stunts such as this one, playing the piano upside-down!