Biography
Brad Burrill (b. 1970) began composing at age 15. His compositions are primarily choral, and he has written for many ability levels, specializing in a cappella works. In 1998, he served as Assistant Director of Music and Composer in Residence at Christ United Methodist Church, in Rochester, MN. In the summer of 2003, his Full Fathom Five was featured at the American Composers Forum – Chicago Chapter Choral Reading Salon. In January 2006, Loss and Gain was chosen as the winner of the 2006 Wisconsin Choral Directors Association Choral Composition Competition. Santa Barbara Music published My Soul Is Awakened in June, 2007, and it has sold over 2400 copies. His setting of The Shadows of the Evening Hours was chosen as one of 8 finalists in "The Ascending Voice" Hymn Competition during the summer of 2007, at Pepperdine University, Malibu, California. He was named Composer of the Month for November, 2011 by ChoralNet's Composers of Choral Music Community.
As a 1992 graduate of UW-Milwaukee with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Vocal Music Education, Brad has been a public school music teacher for over 18 years, working with students in grades 1-12 during that span. He has worked for Mill Valley and Muskego Elementary Schools (1992-1996), Stewartville (MN) High School (1998-2000), Wisconsin Dells High School (2000-2009), and Wausau West High School (2012-2019). He served as guest director for the Wausau Lyric Choir in the spring of 2012. He is also an accomplished baritone soloist and actor, and has directed musical theater productions at the elementary, high school and community theatre levels. He served as bass section leader for the North Shore Congregational Church Chancel Choir from 1990 to 1996, and was married there in 1995. Brad and his wife, Teresa, live in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where they enjoy spending time with their three children and numerous pets.
Achievements
Professional Activities & Achievements
Composer of the Month, November, 2012 by ChoralNet's Composers of Choral Music Community.
Finalist in “The Ascending Voice” Hymn Competition, for The Shadows of the Evening Hours,Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA. June 6, 2007.
2006 Wisconsin Choral Directors Association Choral Composition Competition Winner, for
Loss and Gain, performed at WCDA Convention, Madison, WI. January 13, 2007.
Featured composer at 2003 American Composers Forum – Chicago Chapter Choral Salon, for Full Fathom Five, Oak Park, Illinois. July 27, 2003.
Composer in Residence/Assistant Music Director – Christ United Methodist Church, Rochester, Minnesota. 1998 – 1999.
Principal Arranger/Bass – Acme Vocal Company, vocal jazz quintet, Milwaukee, WI. 1993 – 1997.
Co-writer, Co-director – Show Biz Kids, children’s musical theater, Muskego, WI. 1994 – 1996.
Commissions & Published Works
My Soul Is Awakened – SSAA a cappella version. Commissioned by Dr. Jennifer Rodgers, Iowa State University, and Phillip Swan, Lawrence University. Premiered October 27, 2021.
Give Thanks to the Lord – for SATB a cappella. Commissioned by Scott Drackley and the St. Christopher's Episcopal Church Choir, Gladwyne, PA. Premiered April 7, 2013.
Philosophy of Truth – for SATB with world drum ensemble. Commissioned by Whitefish Bay High School Choirs, Whitefish Bay, WI. Premiered December 8, 2010.
Song for an Angel – for baritone soloist and piano. Commissioned by Rev. Karl Schimpf, North Shore Congregational Church, Fox Point, WI. Premiered June 13, 2010.
Build New Bridges – for SATB a cappella. Commissioned by the East Troy High School Camerata, East Troy, WI. To be premiered, date TBA.
O My Luve’s Like a Red, Red Rose – for TTBB a cappella. Commissioned by the Singing Pioneers, UW-Platteville, WI. Premiered November 14, 2009.
Come Dream With Me – for children’s choir, SATB choir and piano. Commissioned by the Racine Unified School District K-12 Music Department, Racine, WI. Premiered: Racine Area Choir Festival, Jerome I. Case High School, Racine, March 27, 2007.
My Soul Is Awakened – for SATB choir a cappella. Commissioned by the Racine Arts Council and Washington Park High School Concert Choir, Racine, WI. Premiered: Nov. 10, 2005. Published by Santa Barbara Music, June, 2007. (SBMP 711)
This Is The Day – for SATB choir, brass quartet and organ. Christ United Methodist Church, Rochester, Minnesota. Premiered: October 28, 2001.
Other Music Experiences
Professional teaching/directing:
Choral Director - Wausau West High School, Wausau, WI. 2012 – 2019.
Guest Director - Wausau Lyric Choir, Wausau, WI. Spring, 2012.
Choral Director – Wisconsin Dells High School, Wisconsin Dells, WI. 2000 – 2009.
Choral Director – Stewartville Middle and High Schools, Stewartville, MN. 1998 – 2000.
Elementary Music – Muskego-Norway Public Schools, Muskego, WI. 1992 – 1996.
Professional singing:
Baritone – Midwest Choral Artists, Platteville, WI & Madison, WI. 2019 – present.
Baritone – Wausau Lyric Choir, Wausau, WI. 2009 – 2012.
Baritone – Heartland Singers, Midwest. 2009 – 2012.
Baritone – Grandsons of the Pioneers men’s chorus, Milwaukee, WI. 1990 – 2007.
Baritone/Tenor – Phantom of the Organ Halloween Children’s Concerts, Rochester, MN; Minneapolis, MN; York, PA; Charleston, SC. 1997 – 2005.
Bass – Acme Vocal Company, vocal jazz quintet, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 1993 – 1997.
