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Eric Barnum is a contemporary American composer of choral music. He was born on October 28, 1979, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and grew up in a musical family. His mother was a church organist, and his father played the trumpet. Barnum began playing the piano at the age of five and started composing music when he was in high school. Barnum attended St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, where he studied music composition with Timothy Mahr and Peter Hamlin. He also sang in the St. Olaf Choir, which is known for its excellence in choral singing. Barnum graduated from St. Olaf College in 2002 with a Bachelor of Music degree in composition. After college, Barnum worked as a church musician and a music teacher. He also continued to compose music, and his works began to gain recognition. In 2006, he won the Raymond W. Brock Memorial Student Composition Contest for his piece "The Cloths of Heaven." The following year, he won the ACDA Brock Student Composition Contest for his piece "The Stars Stand Up in the Air." Barnum's music is characterized by its lush harmonies, expressive melodies, and sensitive text setting. He often sets poetry to music, and his works are known for their emotional depth and beauty. Some of his most popular works include "Moonlight Music," "The Cloths of Heaven," "The Stars Stand Up in the Air," and "The Song of the Stars." In addition to his choral music, Barnum has also composed instrumental music, including works for piano, string quartet, and wind ensemble. His instrumental music is similarly expressive and lyrical, and it often features soaring melodies and rich harmonies. Barnum's music has been performed by choirs and ensembles around the world, including the St. Olaf Choir, the Dale Warland Singers, the Oregon Bach Festival Choir, and the National Youth Choir of Great Britain. His works have been featured at festivals and conferences, including the American Choral Directors Association National Conference, the World Symposium on Choral Music, and the Oregon Bach Festival. Barnum has received numerous awards and honors for his music, including the ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Award, the ACDA Brock Student Composition Contest, and the Raymond W. Brock Memorial Student Composition Contest. He has also been commissioned to write music by a variety of organizations, including the St. Olaf Choir, the Oregon Bach Festival, and the American Choral Directors Association. Barnum is currently a professor of music at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, where he teaches music theory, composition, and choral conducting. He is also the director of the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Chamber Choir, which has gained a reputation for excellence under his leadership. In conclusion, Eric Barnum is a talented and accomplished composer of choral and instrumental music. His works are known for their emotional depth, beauty, and sensitivity to text. He has received numerous awards and honors for his music, and his works have been performed by choirs and ensembles around the world. Barnum is a valuable contributor to the world of classical music, and his music will continue to inspire and move audiences for years to come.

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