Kurt Westerberg

Kurt Westerberg is a composer who was born in Naperville, Illinois in 1950. His mother was a mezzo-soprano and pianist which sparked an early interest in music. He began his musical studies at age five with piano lessons. By age ten he was composing his first pieces for himself.

In 1968, he started his undergraduate degree in piano studies at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. While at St. Olaf, his interest in composition grew and he graduated in 1972 with a Bachelor of Music in Composition.

During his time at St. Olaf, he took lessons with G. Winston Cassler, Arthur Campbell as well as studying with Alan Stout (composer) at Northwestern University. It was through them that he was exposed to the works of Charles Ives and György Ligeti. These composers would become a large influence in Westerberg's style. Flynn acted as a mentor to Westerberg throughout his teaching and compositional career, and the two released a combined album May 15, 2014, entitled Dual Visions. Dual Visions includes Westerberg's composition Vision and Prayer on a text by Dylan Thomas. and featuring the Lithuanian National Philharmonic Orchestra. Uncertain Light includes the works Winter Light (1997), Piano Trio (2003), Fantasy for violin and piano (2005), and Concerto for Wind Ensemble (1987). Both albums were released on the Southport record label.

In addition to teaching and composing, Westerberg also became the music director at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Evanston, Illinois, in 1998, after years of playing organ at other parishes in the north suburbs of Chicago.

Westerberg spends much of his time teaching and fulfilling administrative duties at DePaul University, and currently composes approximately two or three new works each year.

After graduating from St. Olaf College, Westerberg familiarized himself with the idea of sound mass from European composers such as Krzysztof Penderecki and György Ligeti. The piece was composed in protest to the Vietnam War and the events at Kent State University and Jackson State University that year. Written for brass and percussion ensemble, jazz trio, chorus, and modern dancers, the work was premiered as a part of St. Olaf's 1971 homecoming events. Subsequent performances were heard in Minneapolis and Washington, D.C., where Westerberg and the St. Olaf musicians were invited for three performances in 1972. Invited by Rep. Albert Quie, R-Minn, the ensemble performed in the rotunda of the capitol building and in the House and old Senate office buildings. Rep. Quie remarked, "A fine performance-very powerful and moving." The performances in the United States capital received national attention, including an article in the Minneapolis Tribune and a National Public Radio interview with the composer.

Recent performances

Night Music 1 for solo guitar (1994) Fantasy for violin and piano (2005) Sargasso for string quartet (1999) In Time of Silver Rain for SATB chorus and piano (2007) Fanfare for Brass and Percussion (2002; commissioned by DePaul University) Night Music III for two marimbas (2002) Rituals and Laments for solo percussionist (2009) Nomads for flute, clarinet, and cello (2011) Vision and Prayer for voices and chamber ensemble (2012) Ensembles and Monologues for clarinet trio (2013) Winterbourne for keomungo and chamber ensemble (2013) Fragments, Remnants, Shards for flute, harp, and piano (2014) Five Movements for Three Clarinets (2011) Fantasy and Chaconne for solo viola The Pianists for mixed chamber ensemble Scenes from Childhood for double woodwind quintet