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May 5, 2026 Emerson Eads article Empathy and Musical Dialogue in James Buonemani's Missa Miamiensis is published in the June/July issue of the American Choral Directors Association Choral Journal. You can listen to Missa Miamiensis here.

September 29, 2025 Written for baritone, David Dillard… Available for purchase: https://www.northstarmusicllc.com/index.php/product/a-quoi-bon-dire/

May 25, 2025 Soprano, Teresa Eickel is a NATIONAL FINALISTS: The American Prize ERNST BACON MEMORIAL AWARD for the PERFORMANCE of AMERICAN MUSIC, professional soloist and composer division, 2025. She has been recognized as a finalist with premiere of Emerson Eads’ “Everywhere is Archipelago,” poetry by Margaret Gibson . The song cycle is a powerful set of four songs on the beauty of the earth, our fragile relationship with it, and our responsibility to take care of it. News r

May 23, 2025 We wrapped up a full day with a meaningful visit to the Oslo Chamber Choir and their director, Håkon. Despite their busy rehearsal schedule, they graciously made time to meet with us—a gesture we deeply appreciated. I had the opportunity to personally thank them for their generosity and their continued support of the Minot State University & Oslo Chamber Choir Apprenticeship Program. It was clear that Christina Larsen, our first apprentice, made a lasting impress

May 22, 2025 One of the most unforgettable moments of our entire tour was meeting — and singing alongside — the extraordinary, award-winning Youth Choir Defrost and their inspiring director, my friend, Thomas Caplin. After a long day’s drive from Rauland, we arrived at the glass-enclosed Cathedral Ruins around 4 p.m. There, we were warmly welcomed by Defrost’s tour manager, Guro, who guided us into the stunning historic venue. We spent some time rehearsing, experimenting wit

May 20, 2025 We woke up and traveled to Hardangervidda National Park Center– reminds me so much of interior Alaska, near the Alaska range. The tundra, the moss, the lichens, the caribou… Some of us hiked, then we went into the visitor’s center for a hearty soup and bread… then before we boarded the bus to head to Rjukan, we sang Ja vi elsker dette landet for the staff on the steps of the museum center. After visiting the Hardangervidda, we “traced the steps” of the four Norwe

May 20, 2025 What a great place to hike and experience the outdoors! Fyresdal is a marvel of woodworking and invention within the natural world. The hiking trail is suitable for all user groups, and begins at lake Fyresvatn. We were surrounded by a beautiful pin forest and rock formations called Klokkarhamaren. It was designed by one of Denmark’s leading architectural firms to give everyone the opportunity to hike regardless of our physical abilities. Dalen is a fancy hotel b

May 19, 2025 Before heading to Langesund, we visited the Gjerpen Church in Skien which was built in 1153. Oystein Aronsen, the priest, gave us a tour of his church. Then, MusEd student and future teacher, Nathan Sagsveen led the choir in a beautiful performance of Grieg’s Ave Maris Stella. Gunnar Aasbø met us in Langesund with is trademark accordion and his infectious enthusiasm for music and this beautiful land. He introduced us to the deputy mayor of Langesund, Petter Jørge

May 18, 2025 May 17th – Syttende Mai in Skien The day began early—5:45 a.m., to be exact—likely thanks to a combination of excitement and jet lag. After a much-needed espresso (or five), I set off for a peaceful morning walk along the Skien waterfront. As I walked I thought about how fortunate Minot is to have Rolf Haugen and Jan Terje and Margrethe Olsen as its friends and supporters! They absolutely outdid themselves making us comfortable, making connections possible in the

May 13, 2025 Emerson Eads’ song “Patrick’s Rune” included in “40@40 Anthology Volume I” of 40 songs curated and commissioned by Grammy nominated soprano, Laura Strickling, published by New Music Shelf, has been reviewed by the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Journal of Singing, by Kathleen Roland Silverstein of Syracuse University. The music is available HERE , recording available on YOUTUBE , and the journal review without paywall is available HERE .

April 21, 2025 Emerson Eads has been selected as a National Finalist for the American Prize in Vocal Chamber Music, 2025 – The Charles Ives Award for his song cycle, EVERYWHERE IS ARCHIPELAGO, on poetry written by Connecticut’s Poet Laureate Margaret Gibson, commissioned by soprano, Teresa Eickel, published by North Star Music. The song cycle’s world premiere was performed here at Minot State University by Teresa Eickel, and pianist, Briana Schwan. Available for purchase here

April 21, 2025 Emerson Eads has just been announced as a National Finalist for the American Prize in Composition for his composition “At The Dawn I Seek Thee.” This prize-winning work was commissioned by the Vocal Arts Ensemble of Ann Arbor, and their conductor, Benjamin Cohen in 2023, and then was given its world premiere by the conductor and his ensemble including solos by Jenny O’Neill, soprano Nicole Wills, mezzo-soprano Tyler Hodges, tenor Frank Doherty. “At The Dawn I S

May 3, 2024 Note from their conductor, Dr. Nancy Menk: The Belles Voix seniors requested that we bring this piece back this year after we first performedit during the pandemic in masks. It’s one of their favorites! Emerson Eads earned his DMA inChoral Conducting at Notre Dame and is now Director of Choirs at Minot State University inNorth Dakota. We have worked with him on this beautiful, rich setting in the past.

March 19, 2024 The Minot Symphony Orchestra and Minot Chamber Chorale, under the direction of Emerson Eads, gave the North Dakota premiere of Eads’ Mass for the Oppressed, March 16, 2024. Soprano, Teresa Eickel, Mezzo-Soprano, Toby Newman, Tenor, Barry Banks and Baritone, Jason Thoms were the soloists– both Barry and Toby returning to the work after their recorded live performance in South Bend, IN in 2016. Mass for the Oppressed Performances: Minot Symphony Orchestra & Minot

December 11, 2023 Organist, Douglas Cleveland, joined the Puget Brass ranks to premiere Eads’ Invincible Amiability , a work for organ and British Brass Band. It was to be premiered a year ago, but just before the performance the organ was ruined by water damage, making it only possible to perform it with piano and band. The Puget Brass under the direction of Philip Tchopp, who commissioned the work and dedicated it to Norma Aamodt-Nelson and Dr. Charles F. Tschopp, premiered

November 11, 2023 Purchase here: https://www.northstarmusicllc.com/index.php/product/kahlil-songs/

November 8, 2023 At 6:30pm November 9, Entre Ríos Books and Folio: The Seattle Athenaeum invite you to an evening of poetry and song celebrating the debut collection, “The Unquiet Country,” by Seattle author Patrick Milian and composer Emerson Eads. Sopranos Susan Payne O’Brien and Clarice Alfonso will perform duets composed by composer Emerson Eads and commissioned specifically for this book, “A Prime Number of Lines for Lili & Nadia Boulanger.” The evening will conclud

October 30, 2023 On October 28th, At The Dawn, I Seek Thee was premiered by The Vocal Arts Ensemble of Ann Arbor, and their director, Benjamin Cohen. This piece for mixed choir SATB, on a text by 11th Century Andalusian Rabbi, Solomon ibn Gabirol, was commissioned by the VAE and Benjamin Cohen for their October concert entitled The Darkness is No Darkness. I dedicated this piece to the memory of Andrew Hibshman. Andrew was gentle. He cared for others more than himself. I lo

August 3, 2023 https://www.facebook.com/events/272249622104207?ref=newsfeed These are the performances since its world premiere in 2016: Grand Rapids Community College Choir/Orchestra Grand Rapids, MI (Caleb Wenzel, conductor) St. Mark’s Capitol Hill Choir & Orchestra, Washington D.C. (Jeff Kempskie, conductor) St Philips in the Hills Choir and members of the Tucson Symphony, Tucson, AZ (Justin Appel, conductor) Concordia Orchestra & Choir, University of Notre Dame, South Ben

July 27, 2023 Patrick Milian and Eads’ third collaboration, a song cycle for soprano and mezzo-soprano, (contained in an audio format and book format released in September 2023 by Entre Rios Books ) is published with North Star Publishing and available as sheet music for distribution and purchase. The recording/book release will feature recordings by soprano, Arwen Myers , mezzo-soprano Hannah Penn , and pianist, Susan McDaniel . “Arresting poetry and truly beautiful music