Biography
Linda Tutas Haugen earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from St. Olaf College, and a Master of Arts degree in Music Composition and Theory from the University of Minnesota where she studied with Pulitzer Prize winner, Dominick Argento. She has written for a variety of vocal and instrumental genres, including chamber music, full and chamber orchestra, solo voice, choral, and opera. Her music has received critical acclaim as "music of character and genuine beauty." [Minneapolis Star and Tribune.] Opera Today praised Haugen's opera, Pocahontas, as "superbly crafted," "engaging," and "beautiful and often powerful."Haugen has received numerous grants and commissions, including awards from the American Composers Forum, the Bush Foundation, Minnesota State Arts Board, the Jerome Foundation, and Meet The Composer. Prominent commissions include a 25th Anniversary work for the San Francisco Girls Chorus using texts from the Diary of Anne Frank, a symphony orchestra composition for the National Kidney Foundation in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of organ transplantation, a National Endowment for the Arts funded orchestral work for the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphonies, and a piece for organ and trumpet commissioned by the American Guild of Organists for its 2008 National Convention. She recently completed an ACF Faith Partners Residency in Minneapolis and St. Paul with the Colonial Church of Edina and Mt. Zion Temple, as well as an opera based on the true story of Pocahontas for the Virginia Arts Festival and the Virginia Opera commemorating the 400th Anniversary of the founding of Jamestown. A new work for wind ensemble premiered in May 2009.
Linda has extensive experience as a composer-in-residence, and is committed to working with performers, audiences, schools, and young composers to help them understand the creative process and the importance new music can have in their lives. Her works have been performed by a variety of professional and college ensembles, including Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, North Carolina Symphony, Virginia Opera, members of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Magnum Chorum, St. Olaf College Orchestra, Northwestern College Choir, Chiara String Quartet, and Triad Clarinet Trio. She is a member of ASCAP.
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