University News

WIU School of Music Professor James Romig is one of 12 composers from 10 states chosen for a Copland House Residency Award.
[Download Print-Quality Image]

WIU School of Music Professor Chosen for Second Residency at Copland House

August 19, 2019

Share |
Printer friendly version

MACOMB, IL – Western Illinois University School of Music Professor James Romig is one of 12 composers from 10 states chosen for a Copland House Residency Award.

This is Romig's second residency at Copland House. He was chosen from more than 140 applicants from 25 states, the District of Columbia and three countries by a jury of composers.

Earlier this year, Romig was named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Music for his 55-minute piano solo composition, "Still." The composition debuted in 2017 and was released in 2018 by New World Records. It was performed by Romig's wife, Ashlee Mack, the director of piano studies at Knox College in Galesburg, IL.

Since Copland House residency program was launched 21 years ago, it has awarded nearly 200 residencies. Through the program, the selected composers earn an all-expense-paid, short-term stay at the home in the Lower Hudson Valley. The space provides composers an uninterrupted space to work.

"I'm absolutely delighted to be returning to Aaron Copland's quiet and beautiful estate in upstate New York, and, of course, it's an honor to be in the company of all the composers who have received the residency award this year and in the past," said Romig. "A residency like Copland House offers valuable time away from the day-to-day routine of life in the University, so I look forward to having the month of December to create and reflect."

While staying at Copland House, Romig said he will be working on a new composition for harp and string quartet, which will be premiered in Reykjavik, Iceland in 2020, by Katie Buckley and the Siggi Quartet.

Romig has been a guest composer at the American Academy in Rome and at many universities across the United States. He is the director of composition in WIU's School of Music.

Copland House is based about one hour north of New York City, and is where influential musical figure Aaron Copland lived for the last 30 years of his life, until 1990. A few years after his death, a movement was undertaken to restore his historic residence as a way to advocate for American composers. The home became operational in 1998 as a not-for-profit center to support composers sand provide residencies.

For additional information about Copland House, visit coplandhouse.org. For more information about Romig, visit jamesromig.com.

Posted By: Jodi Pospeschil (JK-Pospeschil@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing