Music Professor's Latest Compositions Premiered

Two recent compositions by Dr. Daniel Perttu, Westminster College assistant professor of music theory and composition, were premiered this month.

"Three Draconian Dames," a song cycle based on poems written by Perttu, was performed by baritone Shawn Roy and pianist Dr. Nancy Zipay DeSalvo, Westminster associate professor of music, at the University of Alabama at Hunstville's new music festival Feb. 9.

"Mountain Twilight" was premiered by the Greenville Symphony and Shenango Valley Chorale Feb. 17 in Hermitage and Feb. 18 in Greenville.  The composition was commissioned by the chorale for its 40th anniversary.

"Both premieres went extremely well," Perttu said.  "I was particularly excited to hear the premiere of ‘Mountain Twilight' since it was written for such large forces.  Composing for combined orchestra and chorus is a composer's dream come true."

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 regionally, nationally, and internationally in arts festivals, concerts, conferences, and solo recitals.  His peer-reviewed articles have been published in three journals. He was commissioned by the Johnstone Fund for New Music at the Columbus Foundation and recently completed a commission for chorus and orchestra from the Shenango Valley Chorale in Sharon.

Contact Perttu at (724) 946-7024 or email for additional information.

Dr. Daniel Perttu