Music Professor's Composition Performed at International Conference

Valediction, a composition for solo violin written by Dr. Daniel Perttu, Westminster College assistant professor of music, was performed at the College Music Society (CMS) international conference July 2 in Zagreb, Croatia.

According to Perttu, the CMS conference is one of the most prestigious in which music faculty can participate, with fewer than 20% of submissions accepted for inclusion in the program.

"Not only did the conference include a performance of my piece and works by other composers, it also included spectacular presentations by various instrumentalists, music theorists, and historians, and provided great opportunities for networking," Perttu said. "The conference also included seminars about ethnic Croatian music and dance, as well as contemporary trends in Eastern European music."

"The cultural education went beyond music, as we participated in tours of ancient Roman palaces and medieval walled cities," Perttu added. "Overall, the eight-day conference was an incredible experience for professional development and cultural awareness."

CMS promotes music teaching and learning; musical creativity and expression; research and dialogue; and diversity and interdisciplinary interaction. A consortium of college, conservatory, university, and independent musicians and scholars interested in all disciplines of music, CMS provides leadership and serves as an agent of change by addressing concerns facing music in higher education.

Perttu, who joined the Westminster faculty in 2008, is the music theory program coordinator. He earned an undergraduate degree from Williams College, two masters from Kent State University, and doctorate from Ohio State University. His compositions have been performed in 20 states, China, and Croatia, and he was commissioned by the Johnstone Fund for New Music at the Columbus Foundation to compose for the Johnstone Woodwind Master Series at Ohio State University.

Contact Perttu at (724) 946-7024 or e-mail perttude@westminster.edu for additional information.

Dr. Daniel Perttu