The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University will present its Composition Alumni Spotlight March 13, showcasing the works of five graduates from the class of 2024. The concert will feature the Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Jerry Hou, performing compositions that highlight the innovative voices emerging from the Shepherd School’s composition program.
The evening’s repertoire includes:
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Oliver Dubon: “Speak Louder Than Words”
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Tian Qin: “Point Ninety-Nine”
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Jake Sandridge: “Between Shades”
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Ethan Soledad: “Cages of Jade”
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Daniel Zlatkin: “Rothko Echoes”
The recent alumni featured in this concert represent a broad spectrum of musical voices and experiences, reflecting the depth and richness of the Shepherd School community. Their works, all composed in 2024, are a testament to the creativity and innovation fostered within the program, and the concert will be a celebration of the impact that the school’s composition program has on the contemporary classical music landscape.
“The Shepherd School community has been consistently supportive of the creation of new music, and I’m thankful to have been a part of that community,” Sandridge said.
Sandridge recalls the value of being surrounded by “exceptional faculty and student collaborators,” crediting the school’s supportive environment for fostering his growth as a composer. Now teaching electronic music and theory at West Virginia University, Sandridge continues to explore the intersection of sound and technology, a journey shaped by his time studying for his Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) at the Shepherd School. His work frequently experiments with interactive technology and sound to create community-centered musical experiences.
Zlatkin, who also received his DMA at Rice, credits the Shepherd School for fostering interdisciplinary collaborations that pushed his artistic growth.
“I am very grateful to the Shepherd School for being an interconnected place where all sorts of unusual collaborations are possible,” Zlatkin said. “During my time at Rice, I developed artistic relationships with many different vocalists and instrumentalists, encouraged by welcoming, open and supporting faculty. Beyond that, I was able to explore other mediums with the help of places such as Rice’s own Moody Center for the Arts and the Citadelle Art Museum in the Texas Panhandle. Such opportunities proved invaluable to my growth as a musician and person.”
Zlatkin’s compositions, often guided by the human voice, have been described as “fascinating” and “galvanizing” by the Boston Globe. He expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to have his work performed by the Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra.
“I am very grateful to all of my professors who pushed me to grow and believed in me,” Zlatkin said. “The Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra is not only the best conservatory orchestra in the country, it’s one of the best orchestras in the country, period.”
“The intimate quality of the school and the composition department allows us to uplift each other and do much more than we ever could have by ourselves,” echoed Soledad, who noted that he found community and friendship to be the heart of his Rice experience.
For Soledad, who explores bold and dramatic musical expression, having his work performed by the Shepherd School Symphony Orchestra is a fitting culmination of his Master of Music (MM) studies at Rice.
“It’s truly a remarkable honor to have the Shepherd School Symphony play a piece of mine and for it to be conducted by Jerry Hou,” Soledad said. “Not just because of the quality of the playing but also because of the fact that it will be played by many of my colleagues whom I’ve spent so much time with in my studies. The musicians at Rice are intelligent, curious and generous in a way that’s not commonly found elsewhere. I can’t wait to hear what they will do with my work!”
Dubon emphasized the importance of learning alongside some of the best student musicians in the country.
“Forming the muscle of ‘if I write this, a professional musician would do this’ is extraordinarily important as a composer,” said Dubon, who received his MM at Rice. “I need to understand what colors my paintbrush is able to make.”
His compositions, inspired by modernist literature, philosophy and the rural countryside, reflect his interest in exploring the colors and textures of sound. Dubon’s work has been performed internationally, and he continues to innovate with new compositions for DACAMERA.
“At Shepherd, I came to understand that being a composer is about more than just mastering music,” said Qin, who received the The Shepherd School–Houston Symphony Brown Foundation Community-Embedded Musician Fellowship in pursuit of her MM. “For me, the exploration of other disciplines fuels and sustains artistic creativity. I’m incredibly grateful that Rice, as a comprehensive university, offers the opportunity to engage with a wide range of fields, allowing for a richer, more well-rounded creative experience.”
Qin’s music, known for its compelling, humorous and visually evocative qualities, has been performed by renowned ensembles such as Roomful of Teeth and Loadbang. She described the experience of having her work performed again at the Shepherd School as deeply meaningful.
“Having the opportunity to hear my piece being performed again at Shepherd is heartwarming,” Qin said.
The Composition Alumni Spotlight will take place at Stude Concert Hall beginning at 7:30 p.m. March 13. Free tickets can be reserved here. The concert will also be streamed live here.