Prize Recipient

2025 Barlow Prize Winner

The Barlow Endowment for Music Composition at Brigham Young University proudly announces the Barlow Prize recipient for 2025.

After reviewing 526 submissions from 46 countries, the judging panel awarded David Biedenbender the $25,000 Barlow Prize to compose a major new work for wind symphony, to be premiered by a consortium of performers which will include BYU Wind Symphony, Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra, United States Navy Band, and University of Michigan Symphony Band.

Composer David Biedenbender has collaborated with many renowned performers and ensembles, and his works have been performed, recorded, and broadcast around the world. “His music is…active, compelling…shot through with energy….wonderfully imagined…Clearly, this is a composer to watch out for.” (Fanfare Magazine) He has written music for the concert stage as well as for dance and multimedia collaborations, and his creative interests include working with classically trained musicians and improvisers, chamber and large ensembles, interactive electronic interfaces and live brain data. His music is influenced by experiences performing in rock and jazz groups, classical ensembles and concert bands, a New Orleans-style brass band, as well as Indian Carnatic Music. A dedicated teacher, he is Associate Professor and Chair of Composition in the College of Music at Michigan State University, and he holds degrees in composition from the University of Michigan and Central Michigan University.