Eric Barnum

Eric Barnum (born 1979) is an American composer of choral, instrumental, and vocal works. He is currently a doctoral student in Choral Conducting at the University of Washington, Seattle.

Background

Eric Barnum studied composition and voice at Bemidji State University, Minnesota, where he studied with Dr. Patrick Riley. He later studied composition and conducting with David Dickau at Minnesota State University. His compositions have won numerous prizes, including the Nathan Davis Prize and the Chanticleer Student Composer Competition. Barnum has been commissioned by ACDA Honor choirs, university ensembles, professional choirs, and school choirs.

MusicAL Style

Barnum’s music is intricately tied to the text, most often chosen from Latin liturgical sources or English poetry. The melodic line in all voices is treated with the utmost importance. Unexpected, but beautiful, harmonic progressions evoke mystical scenes of nature and spirit. Barnum is influenced by the compositions of John Tavener, Arvo Part, Gerald Finzi, and Thomas Newman.

Works for Choir

  • XXV (Kantorei, 2006)
  • Afternoon on a Hill (Minnesota All-State, Walton Music Publishing, 2007)
  • Dawn (Choral Arts Northwest, 2008)
  • Domine, quis habitabit (Rose Ensemble, 2005)
  • Dreams of Thee (Burnsville Middle School, Walton Music Publishing, 2005)
  • Hic est Martinus (Rose Ensemble, 2004)
  • Inferno (Vocal Essence, 2007)
  • I sing of a Maiden (Kantorei, 2004)
  • Jenny Kiss’d Me (Minnesota State University Chamber Singers, Walton Music Publishing, 2006)
  • Lead Me Home (Crookston High School, Walton Music Publishing, 2000)
  • Music in the Night (Magnolia Chorale, 2009)
  • O Crux Ave (Bemidji Choir, Colla Voce Music, 2002)
  • Panis Angelicus (Bemidji Choir, Pavane Publishing, 2007)
  • Red, Red Rose (BSU Men’s Ensemble, Walton Music Publishing, 2008)
  • Requiescat (Magnum Chorum, G. Schirmer Publishing, 2007)
  • She Walks in Beauty (Chanticleer, Hinshaw Music, Inc., 2005)
  • Sweeter Still (Bemidji Chamber Choir, Walton Music Publishing, 2007)
  • The Lady in the Water (Duluth East High School, Santa Barbara, 2007)
  • The Rose of Midnight (Kantorei, 2005)
  • The Sounding Sea (Iowa State University, Walton Music Publishing, 2009)
  • The Stars Stand up in the Air (Minnesota Honor Choir, 2009)
  • the Sweetheart of the Sun (Kantorei, Walton Music Publishing, 2005)
  • The True Knowledge: Four Mystical Poems (Magnum Chorum, 2005)
  • The Valley of Silence (Kantorei, Santa Barbara Publishing, 2007)
  • the wheel that moves the sun and stars (Cathedral High School, Minnesota, 2008)
  • The Year’s at the Spring (MSU Concert Choir, Pavane Publishing, 2005)
  • There’s Nae Lark (Cal State, Long Beach, Santa Barbara Music Publishing, 2007)
  • There was a time (Santa Barbara Music Publishing, 2008)
  • Two Dear Hearts (MSU Chamber Singers, 2004)
  • Venus’ Lament (The Young NYers Chorus, 2005)