Michael Gilbertson

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The music of composer Michael Gilbertson has been described as “elegant” and “particularly beautiful” by The New York Times; “vivid, tightly woven” and “delectably subtle” by the Baltimore Sun; “genuinely moving” by the Washington Post and “a compelling fusion of new and ancient” by the Philadelphia Inquirer. Gilbertson was one of three finalists for the 2018 Pulitzer Prize in Music, losing to rapper Kendrick Lamar.

Dr. Gilbertson holds degrees from the Juilliard School and Yale University. Gilbertson’s works have been performed by orchestras including the Minnesota Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony, Washington National Opera, Albany Symphony, San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, Grand Rapids Symphony, Santa Barbara Symphony, wind ensembles including The United States Marine Band, and Grammy-nominated choirs including Musica Sacra, the Crossing and Conspirare. Dr. Gilbertson is the founder and artistic director of ChamberFest Dubuque — an annual festival that raises money for music education. Dr. Gilbertson’s published music includes works with Boosey & Hawkes, G. Schirmer, and Theodore Presser. In March 2016, Gilbertson was MusicalAmerica Magazine’s featured Artist of the Month.