Composers: Yes, they are normal people!

Today i had the privilege of meeting with one of the composers attending the National ACDA Conference, Jake Runestad. Jake sat down with me as well as two of my peers (Katie O'Brien and Emily Preston) to answer any questions that we might have about compositions, his journey through music, etc. Jake didn't mind if we recorded the interview so please feel free and contact our chapter to hear the inside scoop (ithaca.acda@gmail.com)! 

One of the beautiful things about these interviews that ACDA so graciously organizes is the fact that aspiring choral conductors, educators, performers, and composers get to talk to some of the people who may be part of the reason for us being in the field in the first place. Also, we get to learn that composers are normal people and do normal people things! For example, Jake is a loose-leaf green tea drinker and likes listening to Billy Joel or Hanson in his free time. I'm sure there are plenty of you out there who do the same!

I just wanted to say thank you to Jake for sharing his time with my peers and me as well as for being so thoughtful and thorough with his answers to our questions. He took the time to really think things through before answering, especially when we asked about his composing process. I am extremely excited and thankful for getting to meet with him, especially since the Ithaca College Choir is currently singing the ever wonderful "Alleluia" by Runestad. 

-Caitlin Walton, Junior, Special Events Coordinator

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