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Liann J. Kang (formerly Jung Hyun Lee), a doctoral candidate in Composition-Theory, has been awarded first prize in the 2024 Sweetwater/SEAMUS Student Commissioning Competition. This prestigious competition, hosted annually by the Society for Electro-Acoustic Music in the United States (SEAMUS) and supported by Sweetwater Sound, Inc., aims to encourage young composers to explore creative possibilities in electroacoustic music.
Kang’s winning composition, IMAGES (I and II), for alto saxophone and electronics, was performed in collaboration with U of I alumni, saxophonist Dr. Jack Thorpe, and composer/live electronics developer Dr. Victor Zheng. The piece was recently performed by Dr. Thorpe at Louisiana State University and will be included in the next edition of the Music from SEAMUS Compilation Series.
With this award, Kang will receive a $1,250 commission to create a new electroacoustic composition, which will premiere at the 2025 SEAMUS National Conference. This recognition underscores Kang’s growing reputation as a talented and innovative voice in contemporary electroacoustic music.