Artistic Directors
Jake Runestad
Artistic Director
Considered “one of the best of the younger American composers” (Chicago Tribune), EMMY®-winning and GRAMMY®-nominated composer and conductor Jake Runestad has received commissions and performances from leading ensembles and organizations such as VOCES8, Washington National Opera, the Netherlands Radio Choir, the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, the National Chorus of Korea, the Philippine Madrigal Singers, the Dallas Symphony Chorus & Orchestra, the Los Angeles Master Chorale. “The Hope of Loving, the first album dedicated to Jake’s choral music, recorded by Craig Hella Johnson and Conspirare, received a 2020 GRAMMY® award nomination. In 2019, Jake became one of the youngest composers ever awarded the prestigious Raymond C. Brock commission by the American Choral Directors Association, for which he wrote the ground-breaking, dramatic work “A Silence Haunts Me.”
Known for his refined artistry, and imaginative and inspirational leadership, Jake is in-demand as a conductor with ensembles of all levels. Recent and up-coming conducting engagements include Carnegie Hall, Cadogan Hall (London), VOCES8, the Florida All-State Chorus, and festivals in Canada, Europe, Central America, and across the USA. Dubbed a “choral rockstar” by American Public Media, Jake is one of the most frequently performed composers in the world and has traveled to work with ensembles on all but one continent. Jake Runestad holds a Master’s degree in composition from the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University where he studied with Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Kevin Puts.
More at: JakeRunestad.com
Photo courtesy of Justin S. Robinson
Marques L. A. Garrett
Artistic Director
A Virginia native, Marques L. A. Garrett is Associate Professor of Choral Studies at the University of North Texas. He earned his PhD in Music Education (Choral Conducting) at Florida State University.
An active conductor, Dr. Garrett is the founding conductor of the Nebraska Festival Singers. He has served as a guest conductor or clinician with several school, church, community, and festival/honor choirs throughout the country. In addition to his conducting classes at UNT, he leads conducting workshops at other universities and conferences.
A versatile voice that performs both as a baritone and countertenor, Dr. Garrett has sung with several community, church, and university groups as both a chorister and soloist. He was the countertenor soloist in the European premiere of Dan Forrest’s Jubilate Deo in Limerick, Ireland. Currently, he sings with the Festival Singers of Florida and Jason Max Ferdinand Singers.
Dr. Garrett is an avid composer of choral and solo-vocal music whose compositions have been performed to acclaim by high school all-state, collegiate, and professional choirs including Seraphic Fire and the Oakwood University Aeolians. His compositions are available through several publishers.
Contact Us
If you are interested in participating in the festival with your choir, submit this form or contact us directly at 800-395-2036 or [email protected]