Collaborative concert features consortium premiere inspired by Van Gogh and a reimagining of “Pictures at an Exhibition”

The program is anchored by the consortium premiere of Vincent’s Sky by Emmy Award-winning composer Jake Runestad. Composed for choir and wind ensemble, Vincent’s Sky draws inspiration from the life and paintings of Vincent van Gogh, exploring his emotional world and artistic vision through three movements that correspond to specific works. The piece combines excerpts from Van Gogh’s letters with Walt Whitman’s poetry, using musical cryptograms, assigning pitches to letters, to create themes based on the name “VINCENT.” Its three movements, “Olive Trees,” “Wheatfield with Crows,” and “The Starry Night,” reflect the contrasts and emotions of Van Gogh’s paintings.

Runestad has a history with Clemson’s Department of Performing Arts. In Spring 2024, he visited campus for a residency that included teaching clinics, masterclasses and rehearsal sessions with Clemson choral and vocal studies students ahead of the premiere of his choral work El Aire Baila. The residency also featured the Symphonic Band’s performance of his wind ensemble work, Ascent, at their spring concert. During that visit, students had the opportunity to collaborate directly with the acclaimed composer, enriching their learning and artistic development.“Clemson Choirs are thrilled to be part of another premiere by Runestad,” said Anthony Bernarducci. “This collaboration with the Band program has been a wonderful experience, allowing us to learn and grow together as we prepare for this inventive and imaginative piece of music.”

Continuing the evening’s visual arts theme, senior performing arts major and pianist Christian Walker ’26 will present Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, arranged by John Boyd. Originally composed as a set of musical depictions inspired by an art gallery, the work uses bold characterizations to bring visual scenes to life.