Role

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Composer

Birth

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1979

 

Eric William Barnum is a contemporary American composer and conductor, known for his choral works that have been performed by choirs around the world. Born in 1979 in Wisconsin, Barnum grew up in a musical family and began playing the piano at a young age. He later studied music at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in composition and piano performance. After completing his undergraduate studies, Barnum went on to earn a Master of Music degree in choral conducting from the University of Minnesota. During this time, he also studied composition with Stephen Paulus, one of the most prominent American composers of choral music. Barnum's early works were heavily influenced by Paulus, and he often incorporated elements of folk music and poetry into his compositions. Barnum's breakthrough as a composer came in 2007, when his piece "The Cloths of Heaven" was selected as the winner of the Raymond W. Brock Memorial Student Composition Contest. The piece, which sets a poem by W.B. Yeats to music, has since become one of Barnum's most popular works and has been performed by choirs around the world. Since then, Barnum has continued to compose choral works that have been praised for their beauty, lyricism, and emotional depth. His compositions often explore themes of love, loss, and the natural world, and he frequently sets poetry by contemporary poets such as Wendell Berry and Mary Oliver to music. One of Barnum's most well-known works is "Moonlight Music," a setting of a poem by Emily Bronte. The piece, which features lush harmonies and soaring melodies, has been performed by choirs at festivals and competitions around the world. Another popular work is "The Stars Stand Up in the Air," which sets a poem by James Joyce to music. The piece features intricate harmonies and a haunting melody that captures the mood of the poem. In addition to his work as a composer, Barnum is also an accomplished conductor. He has served as the artistic director of several choirs, including the Oregon Repertory Singers and the Young New Yorkers' Chorus. As a conductor, Barnum is known for his ability to bring out the emotional depth and beauty of the music he conducts. Overall, Eric William Barnum is a composer and conductor who has made a significant impact on the world of choral music. His works are known for their beauty, lyricism, and emotional depth, and they have been performed by choirs around the world. With his talent and dedication to his craft, Barnum is sure to continue making a lasting contribution to the world of classical music.

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