0 Professor Premieres Composition at Chicago Area High School

Professor Premieres Composition at Chicago Area High School

February 28, 2018

Dr. Russell Scarbrough, assistant professor of jazz studies at Houghton University, recently traveled to Chicago to premiere his composition “Solaces.”

Scarbrough served as the guest conductor for this inaugural performance of the piece, which was commissioned by Buffalo Grove High School in Illinois. “Solaces” documents the story of loss that the school experienced over the course of the 2016 school year, including the tragic passing of three beloved teachers due to health issues.

Buffalo Grove’s orchestra director chose to use music to bring the school together, and turned to Scarbrough to compose a piece that would portray the feelings of grief and loss that the students and teachers were experiencing.

Scarbrough was deeply honored by the commission and opportunity to compose a piece of such importance to the school. He remarks, “It’s an opportunity to articulate in music the hope found in Scripture – that there is meaning and purpose to every part of our lives, and that good may come even through tragic suffering and loss.”