The Bob Jones University Division of Music will host internationally acclaimed Latvian composer Ēriks Ešenvalds for a four-day residency on October 5–7 and 10, 2026.
The residency will include three major components:
1. Student Engagement: Ešenvalds will work closely with Music at BJU students through composition lessons, masterclasses and lectures. He will also share insights from his career and explore the rich Baltic choral tradition, including the renowned Latvian Song Festival.
2. High School Choral Day: The Division of Music will host a one-day event for regional high school choirs, offering local students the opportunity to participate in masterclasses led by Ešenvalds alongside BJU choral faculty.
3. Culminating Concert: The residency will conclude with a performance of music by Ešenvalds, presented by the BJU Chorale under the direction of Dr. Andrew Huish, Director of Choral Activities.
Dr. Huish, together with Dr. Isaac Greene, previously led ten BJU students on a study-abroad program to Latvia and Estonia in July 2025 focused on the music of the Baltic region. While in Riga, the group met with Ešenvalds for a lecture on his music and compositional process.
“Ēriks is not only an exceptional composer, but also an engaging speaker and gifted educator who connected immediately with our students, both music majors and non-majors,” said Dr. Huish. “We are delighted to invite him to BJU to engage with both our students and the community.”
Ešenvalds is in demand worldwide as a composer, masterclass clinician, and speaker. He teaches in the composition department at the Latvian Academy of Music in Riga, and his works range from lush, a cappella choral compositions to large-scale orchestral works, ballet, and film music.
Tickets for the culminating October 10th performance will be available through BJU Programs and Productions in September. Contact Dr. Andrew Huish, Director of Choral Activities, at [email protected] with questions about this event.
About Choral Music at Bob Jones University
Choral music is a central part of the Bob Jones University Division of Music, offering both music majors and non-majors extensive experience in ensemble singing, vocal excellence, and sacred choral literature. Through choirs such as the BJU Chorale and a tradition of high-level performance, the program emphasizes musical artistry, stylistic integrity, and the communication of meaningful text within a Christian liberal arts educational context.
