UW Music Department to Host Composer Jake Runestad Sept. 26

The University of Wyoming Department of Music will host composer Jake Runestad Thursday and Friday, Sept. 26-27, in the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts.

“Jake has created a brand for himself as a composer and conductor, and has navigated the entrepreneurial waters with great savvy and knowledge,” says Nicole Lamartine, UW director of choral activities. “He will offer workshops on entrepreneurship and will provide specific experiences for choral and composition students.”

Several events during his residency are free and open to the public. 

All singers are welcome to join the UW Collegiate Chorale for open rehearsals of one of Runestad’s newest choral pieces Thursday and Friday, Sept. 26-27, from noon-1 p.m. in Room 2003 of the Performing Arts Center.

Runestad will offer a free, public session on entrepreneurship and self-publishing original compositions Thursday, Sept. 26, from 1-2 p.m. in the Performing Arts concert hall.

His residency will culminate Friday, Sept. 27, with “Big Sing: Your Soul is Song.” The concert, which is free and open to the public, will take place at 5 p.m. in the Performing Arts concert hall. Music will be available at the door for those who wish to participate in the concert.

Runestad is an award-winning and frequently performed composer. His visceral music and charismatic personality have fostered a busy schedule of commissions, residencies, workshops and speaking engagements, enabling him to be one of the youngest full-time composers in the world. He has received commissions and performances from leading ensembles and organizations such as Washington National Opera, the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, the Philippine Madrigal Singers, Craig Hella Johnson and Conspirare.

Runestad earned a master’s degree in composition from the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, where he studied with Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Kevin Puts. He also has studied extensively with acclaimed composer Libby Larsen.

A native of Rockford, Ill., Runestad is currently based in Minneapolis, Minn., and his music is published by JR Music.

For more information about Runestad, visit www.jakerunestad.com.

For more information about his residency at UW, call Kathy Kirkaldie, UW Fine Arts coordinator, at (307) 766-2160 or email kirisk@uwyo.edu.