Michael Goode of the Chicago Reading Orchestra was recently interviewed this week in the Chicago Reader by Deanna Isaacs. The article caught my attention because it was referring to a piece written by composer Bjorn Berkhout. Bjorn was my roommate in college at Northwestern University in Chicago. He has taught at Loyola University and Northwestern University, and his pieces have been played by many reputable orchestras, including the Omaha Symphony.

Check out this week’s Reader article at the following link:

http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/stories/thebusiness/060721/

Here is a picture of Bjorn and me after a recital I did in 1998. He has written a few pieces for me, including Rise (available from Discordia Music) and Dakota Sleeps (currently unpublished). Bjorn and I are both from South Dakota. I grew up in Sioux Falls, SD, and he grew up in Vermillion about 65 miles south.

Vermillion is an interesting place. I was born there and have spent some time there in the past. It is home to a really amazing musical instrument collection called the National Music Museum (formerly the Shrine to Music Museum). Although it is in a town of only about 10,000 people, this museum has instruments from Amati and other famous makers.

Check out Bjorn’s biography here:
http://www.discordia-music.com/Bios/berkhout.htm

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