Idaho State University’s Earles receives ASCAPLUS Award

Randy Earles, a professor in the Idaho State University music department and associate dean of the ISU College of Arts and Letters, has been awarded ASCAPLUS Award this year in the Concert Music Division for his creative contributions to the world of classical music.

Earles is a familiar name to musical audiences in eastern Idaho because of his performances on trumpet with Portneuf Brass (the ISU faculty brass quintet), the Idaho Falls Symphony, and other ensembles.  However, he is also recognized nationally as a composer.

This is the 14^th year that Earles has received this award, which is granted by a peer review panel from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP).  Instead of honoring a single work, this award recognizes the importance of Earles' entire catalog of compositions.

During the past two years many Idaho high school bands have performed Earles' "Idaho Celebration," which was commissioned by the Idaho Department of Education on behalf of Idaho high schools. The work was given its premiere performance by an All-District band in southern Idaho, and was performed later by the ISU Concert Band.

Earles has written many other works for bands, orchestras, and choirs.  His instrumental music has been performed by professional bands in Tokyo and Dallas, military bands from both the U.S. Army and Navy, community bands and orchestras ranging from Twin Falls to Singapore, and college bands and orchestras from around the country.  His choral anthem "Sing the World Together," on a text by Lisa Horton, was commissioned by the Idaho International Choral Festival and has been sung by the combined choirs at the final performance of each biennial festival since 2004.  Foreign choirs from five continents have sung this anthem.  In 2009 his most recent choral composition, "Te Deum," was performed by the ISU Concert Choir.

He is currently working on a set of musical dances for symphonic band that was inspired by listening to performances of dance suites last year at the ISU Baroque Festival.  So far, two of the projected five movements have been completed in draft form.

This award, given by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), is part of its continuing commitment to assist and encourage ASCAP composers.

Awards are granted by an independent panel and are based on the unique prestige value of each composer's original compositions and recent performances in areas not surveyed by the Society.

For more information, contact the ISU music department at 282-3636.

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