Hailed as "one of the most important composers of our time," Blake R. Henson has been praised for his diverse and imaginative musical works which the New Jersey Star-Ledger called "powerful and thoughtful at the same time."

Born in Dallas, Texas, Dr. Henson currently resides in De Pere, Wisconsin where he serves as Assistant Professor of Music at St. Norbert College. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in music theory and composition from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, as well as a Doctor of Musical Arts in composition from The Ohio State University. He has studied composition with Thomas Wells, Donald Harris, Joel Phillips, Jay Kawarsky, Ron Hemmel, Michael Cox, and John Parker and has collaborated with such noted composers as Mark Adamo, Stephen Paulus, Tarik O'Regan, and Gerald Custer.

Sought after for his choral, vocal, and orchestral work, Dr. Henson has received numerous commissions from professional ensembles, colleges and high schools, churches, and community choruses and orchestras including Chanticleer, Westminster Kantorei, Westminster Williamson Voices, Anam Cara, Masterwork Chorus and Orchestra, and the New Jersey Chamber Singers. His music has been performed in some of the finest venues in the United States including Carnegie Hall, The National Cathedral, and Spivey Hall; as well as in concert halls in Canada, Mexico, England, South Africa, Taiwan, and Japan. His choral works have been performed at ACDA National Conventions as well as by numerous All-State choirs.

An active author and pedagogue, Dr. Henson is completing a book on Composition Pedagogy and is writing on a text for aural training submersion with James Jordan and David Conte. This summer he will begin a recording project of his choral works with the Philadelphia chamber ensemble Anam Cara to be released under the GIA label.

As a performer, Dr. Henson has appeared with the Westminster Choir, Westminster Kantorei, Fuma Sacra, the New York Philharmonic (Davis, Dutoit, Maazel, Gilbert, Hickocks), the Cleveland Orchestra (Boulez), the New Jersey Symphony (Labadie, Jarvi), Dresden Philharmonic (Fruhbeck de Burgos) and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra (Litton) and has collaborated with such noted conductors as Joseph Flummerfelt, Andrew Megill, James Jordan and Emmanuell Villaume.

Henson is a member of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), Society for Music Theory (SMT), Society of Composers, Inc. (SCI), and the American Society for Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP); he is also a volunteer for the American Cancer Society.

Mr. Henson is published by GIA Music.

Published exclusively by:

• GIA Publications, Inc.

Other octavos by Blake R. Henson are available by these publishers:

• Shawnee Press
• Hinshaw Music
• Abingdon Press
• Amber Waves Publishing

And Dream Awhile, commissioned by the 2010 Ohio Music Educators Association All-State Choir is beginning to find a home in the standard repertoire of high school and collegiate choral music. Meanwhile, I am continually inspired by the stories artists take the time to share with me regarding how My Flight for Heaven has made an impact on their lives. "Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily..."

Although there may be a small wait-list, I am currently accepting commissions for new musical works. Interested performers and ensembles can reach me via the information provided on the contact page.