In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Susan LaBarr.
Susan LaBarr
b. 1981
Susan LaBarr is a leading American 21st-century choral composer. She attended Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Master of Music in Music Theory and studied piano with Dr. Peter Collins and composition with Dr. John Prescott. While at Missouri State, Susan sang in the Concert Chorale under the direction of Dr. Guy B. Webb. Additionally, Susan was a member of the all-female a cappella group, A Cub Bella, from its origination in 2002 to her graduation. Susan is an active, published composer, with works published by Walton Music, Santa Barbara Music Company, and MorningStar Music. She is currently the Composer-in-Residence for the Tennessee Chamber Chorus, a professional choir based in Cleveland, Tennessee. Her works often explore delicate melodies and dissonant harmonies and her texts feature works by past and contemporary poets. Susan works as Editor of Walton Music.