Artist Biography

A conductor and composer, Eric William Barnum continues to passionately seek new ground in the choral field.  Working with choirs of all kinds and levels of ability, his collaborative leitmotif endeavors to provide intensely meaningful experiences for singers and audiences.

Barnum is currently the Director of Choral Activities at Drake University (Des Moines, IA), and previously the Director of Choral Activities at the University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh.  He holds a DMA in Choral Conducting from the University of Washington, under the direction of Dr. Geoffrey Boers.  He has an advanced degree in conducting from Minnesota State University, primary study with Dr. David Dickau, as well as BAs in Composition and Vocal Performance from Bemidji State University.  He frequently appears as a guest conductor across the United States, and has had the opportunity to work with some of the most innovative minds in the choral field.  He has also been an invited speaker to state and regional choral conventions.

His compositional voice and vision continues to gain popularity around the globe with performances from choirs internationally.  He composes for choral ensembles of all types, from professional to youth choirs, and has received numerous awards and prestigious grants such as a Bush Foundation Artist Fellowship, a McKnight Foundation Grant, and Minnesota Arts Board Grants.  He has also held residencies with such ensembles as Cantus (Norway), Choral Arts (Seattle, WA), The Rose Ensemble (St. Paul, MN), Kantorei (Denver, CO), Magnum Chorum (Minneapolis, MN), Madison Choral Project (Madison, WI), Coro Vocal Artists (Tucson, AZ), as well as with many high schools and collegiate choirs.

A recording of several of Barnum's choral works, entitled "Life Stories" was released by Gothic Music label in 2014 and was met sterling reviews.  Performed by Choral Arts in Seattle, and conducted by Dr. Robert Bode, the album is available through Naxos.

For those seeking birth dates for programs, Eric was born in 1979.

Eric lives in Clive, Iowa with his wife Heidi and sons Leif & Haakon.