Stephen Yarbrough

Stephen Yarbrough, Composer-in-Residence at the University of South Dakota, received his 10th consecutive ASCAP Standard Works Award in 2005. His Land of the Open Sky will be taken on tour to Hawaii during spring 2006 by the Rapid City (SD) Children’s Choir. The South Dakota Symphony Orchestra phone line now plays Yarbrough’s Alleluias for Orchestra when a caller is put on hold during telephone conversations. Yarbrough’s catalog is extensive; all of his works are self-published and are available to rent or to purchase.

Premieres

Take My Life, an arrangement for SAB choir with piano, was introduced October 2, 2005, in a performance conducted by Warren Shoberg at the Episcopal Church Diocesan Convention, Pierre, SD. Pastorale, a flute solo commissioned by Dennis Knutson, was first heard in a November performance in Sioux Falls, SD. A three-movement octet commissioned by the National Symphony Chamber Orchestra, Dakota Diary, received its premiere in Washington, DC, during the National Symphony Orchestra Education Week, which began November 11. Angel’s Dances was introduced December 9-11 by the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Delta David Gier, Sioux Falls, SD. Grande Polka was the featured premiere composition at the Upper Midwest Low Brass Clinic, January 2006. Star of the West, a commissioned work for 7-octave handbell choir and choir chimes, is scheduled to be premiered in March 2006 by Bells of the Hills conducted by Dee Anne West, Rapid City, SD.

Performances

Over Easy for bass section was performed in March 2005 by members of the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, Sioux Falls. Prairie Spring was presented in April by the Sioux Empire Youth Orchestra, led by John Thompson, at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC. The Iowa All State Orchestra, conducted by William LaRue Jones, presented With the Voice of Joy and Praise on June 11 at the University of Iowa School of Music, Iowa City; the same work will be performed in spring 2006 by the Symphonic Orchestra at the University of Texas at Arlington led by Sergio Espinosa. After School was heard August 6 in a performance by the Interlochen (MI) Symphony led by Stephen Ward. Alleluias for Orchestra was presented five times throughout December by the Cedar Rapids (IA) Symphony under the direction of Charles Smith.

Further Information

• 2003-2004 American Composers Update
• 2002-2003 American Composers Update
• 2001-2002 American Composers Update
• 2000-2001 American Composers Update
• 1999-2000 American Composers Update
• 1998-1999 American Composers Update
• SAI's Composers Bureau Online
• SAI's Music for Young People section