Music of the 21st Century

• Academics
• The Institute of Music
• Events
• Festivals
• Music of the 21st Century

Music of the 21st Century Concert

Music of the 21st Century is an annual composer residency and festival that brings accomplished guest composers to DePauw’s campus for a week. Students and faculty interact with guest composers in rehearsals, coachings, classes, convocation hour, community outreach events, and countless informal encounters throughout the week. The festival culminates in two concerts of music by the guest composer(s), performed by DePauw Music students and faculty. 

During the week of the festival, the entire DePauw Music community is collectively focused on new music: virtually all students, staff, and faculty are involved in welcoming guest composers and their work into our activities and discourse. This singular, collective focus on contemporary music provides a transformative learning experience that resonates into students’ work across the music curriculum. 

With one or more guest composers on campus for the festival every year, DePauw Music students have the opportunity to work directly with at least four distinguished guest composers during their as a DePauw student. Past guests include Tania Leon, Gabriela Lena Frank, Christopher Theofanidis, Bright Sheng, Daniel Bernard Roumain, Lisa Bielawa, Susan Botti, and Jennifer Higdon. 

Music of the 21st Century is generously funded by DePauw alumni Robert and Margaret Schmidt, and is currently coordinated by composer and DePauw faculty member Eliza Brown.