Alumni News

In August, 2024, Tyler Habig left his software manager role at the eGain Corporation to become the new String Orchestra Director at Bradenton Christian School in Florida. In addition to four string orchestra classes, he also teaches drumline and sixth grade concert band. His students range from 5th grade through 12th grade.

Chris LaRosa has released a new virtual instrument, Pyramids, in collaboration with MNTRA Instruments.  This innovative VI harnesses the unique sound of his crystal glass pyramid collection, meticulously recorded through ultrasonic sampling to capture a rich array of articulations.  Integrated with the sophisticated MNDALA2 DSP processing engine, Pyramids offers composers and producers a sonic experience that blends elegance and creativity.  Check out the behind-the-scenes on creating the instrument!

This month, Kian will have a new work for solo violin premiered as part of the Sounds of US Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. Created and curated by Jennifer Koh, the Sounds of US Festival draws inspiration from America’s upcoming 250th anniversary, reflecting on the values that have shaped the nation.

Two newly-commissioned fixed media works by Nicolas Chuaqui (MM ’16) will be featured in the Guggenheim Museum’s upcoming exhibition Harmony and Dissonance: Orphism in Paris, 1910-1930. The exhibition runs November 8 to March 9, and tickets can purchased here. In his pieces, Chuaqui responded to paintings and sculptures by Kandinsky and Archipenko and musical works by Schoenberg and Milhaud.

Jacobs alum Matthew Peterson Vagabond (MM ‘08) premiere now on YouTube Dalasinfoniettan and chief-conductor Claire Levacher premiered Matthew Peterson’s  Vagabond for chamber orchestra  at concerts in Falun and Smedjebacken (Sweden). You can watch video of the premiere here!

Jacobs alum Chen Yihan’s (MM ‘16)  “Ehohe” for Baroque violin and fixed media has just been released as the closing track on the Julia Glenn CD “Ink Traces” on Navona records.

Jacobs alum Evan Fontaine’s (BM ‘22) “Roots” was premiered October 19th by New York choral ensemble C4: Choral Composer/Conductor Collective.

The faculty ensembles of the University of Missouri will celebrate Jacobs alum Stefan Freund (BM’ 97) at 50 with a recital of 5 of his works. Live-streamed November 2 at 8:30 EDT on Mizzou YouTube.

Student News

Steven Naylor (1st year MM) will be releasing an album of vocal music on November 15, available on all streaming platforms. weltlandschaft, Steven’s second album, features performances by mezzo Imara Miles (a Jacobs alumnus), soprano Sara Mortensen, the Newphonia Ensemble, and himself as pianist. Included on the album are several art songs, a micro-opera, and a chamber work, with many works featuring texts written by Steven.

Steven’s YouTube channel can be found here.

Younje Cho’s orchestral work The Whale (2023/rev. 2024) had its world premiere on August 20, 2024, at Lotte Concert Hall in Seoul, conducted by David Leiland as a prelude at the Korean National Symphony Orchestra (KNSO) International Academy “Colorful” concert. Commissioned with a $6,000 fee after being selected as one of five composers for the 2023 KNSO Composers’ Atelier, Cho was later chosen as an outstanding composer, leading to the premiere of his work. David described the piece as demonstrating great creativity and overflowing imagination, with a very elastic and lucid orchestral sound and a very organic structure, showcasing Cho’s skillful handling of complex textures and themes. The Whale explores the beauty of the sea, the emotional depth of whales, and their struggles due to human activities, embodying Cho’s eco-sonic artistic vision. In addition, he gave a lecture to the performers participating in the academy about his work and contemporary music, drawing on his broad experience across different cultures and musical environments between Korea, Europe, and the United States. He was also interviewed by Yonhap News, and this interview was featured in a Yonhap News article.

In July, Cho participated in the Casa Della Musica San Michele Composition Masterclass in Italy, where he received masterclasses from Francesco Filidei and Mauro Lanza and collaborated with the ensemble Collettivo_21. He also completed his postgraduate advanced studies in composition at Kunstuniversität Graz (University of Music and Performing Arts Graz) in Austria. Looking ahead, In October, Cho participated in the 2024 Tongyeong International Music Festival (TIMF) Academy in Tongyeong, South Korea, as a selected composer. Unsuk Chin has served as the Artistic Director since 2022. During the academy, Cho, along with other selected composers, attended individual masterclasses with Chin and Dieter Ammann as well as various workshops. His work Flourish for octet was featured in the reading sessions by the world-renowned contemporary music ensemble, Ensemble Intercontemporain, and TIMF Ensemble.

More of Younje Cho’ music can be found at younjecho.com.

Alum, Alex Tedrow, has teamed up with composers, JoAnne Harris and Andrew Kosinski, to form District Composers: a collective focused on community enrichment with an emphasis on music education. Already working as active clinicians and educators writing music for young ensembles, the trio aims to further the field of new music in classroom contexts through compositions that challenge students to be creative in ways that the traditional repertoire does not address. With the launch of District Composers also comes an exciting new consortium opportunity for band directors: project: GENERATION. Three works will be composed for concert band; grade 2 (spring ’25) , grade 3 (spring ’26), and grade 4 (spring ’27). Alex, JoAnne, and Andrew will share thematic material, collaborating on a melody which weaves a unifying thread through the set of pieces. Students will recognize the melodic motive while analyzing each composers’ distinct stylistic approach. Each piece represents an increase in challenge level, helping to boost students’ achievement as they develop over consecutive years in band. Directors will receive an educator’s guide with resources to assist in making pedagogical connections. District Composers will host Booth #1812 at the Midwest Clinic this December. Stop by to say hello!

Alexey Logunov’s new composition, non-place for bass flute and chamber orchestra, will be premiered on October 25th at the closing concert of Synesthesia Lab 2024 festival. The performance will take place at the Saidashev State Concert Hall in Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia. The piece will be performed by the Orchestra of the Sofia Gubaidulina Center for Contemporary Music, featuring Konstantin Efimov (member of the Moscow Contemporary Music Ensemble) as the bass flutist, with Fyodor Lednyov as the conductor. To learn more about Alexey’s projects, visit his website.

Daixuan Ai’s chamber ensemble work Childhood Memories was performed and recorded by the Chicago Symphony Civic Orchestra, and the video is now available on CSOtv (https://cso.org/experience/video/20150/daixuan-ai—childhood-memories).

Daixuan was also selected to attend the 2025 Red Note Festival at Illinois State University. A new work of hers will be premiered by the Akropolis Reed Quintet during the festival.

Faculty News

IU bassoon faculty Kathleen McLean and Dr. Eric Smedley will deliver the premiere of the 2nd movement of PQ Phan’s bassoon concerto, Air, with the IU Wind Ensemble on November 5th, 8PM, in Auer Hall. Later that month, Prof. Phan will be a guest composer at the Busan International Contemporary Music Festival in Busan, South Korea, November 21 – 23.

Upcoming Events

(* Starred events are REQUIRED for IU composition students)