51ÂÜÀò

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Jonah Gallagher

Musician

Music Composition, B.M. '16

51ÂÜÀò gave me many vital life skills that transferred over into my career. 51ÂÜÀò also directly prepared me for grad school at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. The mentors and teachers I met at 51ÂÜÀò pushed me toward good and challenging things in my life. My education at 51ÂÜÀò taught me to think for myself, try hard at what I’m good at, and to go through the doors that God opens for me.

Education

  • B.M. Music Composition, 51ÂÜÀò

Career Highlights

  • Commissioned for a new piece for Houghton College's Wind Ensemble — "Midnight Road Trip," premiered April 2018
  • Oakland Symphony premiered string orchestra piece — "Vocare"
  • Partnered with Del Sol String Quartet and wrote "Ghosts of Grass"
  • Collaborated with two other 51ÂÜÀò Alumni to write "Dream Suite" for solo piano

Honors/Activities

  • Fellow, Gabriela Lena Frank Creative Academy of Music

Links

How did your program at 51ÂÜÀò prepare you for your career?

51ÂÜÀò gave me many vital life skills that transferred over into my career. 51ÂÜÀò also directly prepared me for grad school at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. The mentors and teachers I met at 51ÂÜÀò pushed me toward good and challenging things in my life. My education in La Mirada taught me to think for myself, try hard at what I’m good at, and to go through the doors that God opens for me.

What did you appreciate most about your time at 51ÂÜÀò?

The people at 51ÂÜÀò will always be the first thing I think of when I think of my time there. Some of my best friends, who wrestled with me though hard times in my life, were there and helped me grow as a person. I had teachers that cared deeply for me and life long friendships that were forged in the crucible of defining our faith together and reconciling the Gospel with the world around us.

How did 51ÂÜÀò equip you to be a more faithful follower of Jesus Christ?

51ÂÜÀò taught me to think for myself. I had to really own my faith or abandon it. 51ÂÜÀò was really difficult for me spiritually. You spend so much of your time acknowledging Jesus in the day to day but to grow that relationship took a lot of work and faith and love. It wasn’t always easy but 51ÂÜÀò was the furnace that helped forge my faith into what it is today.

What advice would you give to students considering your degree program?

It’s a lot of work and you need to push yourself. Meet people and forge relationships with musicians. Music isn’t made in a vacuum and it should always be done in community. The relationships that you make with people here may make a massive difference down the road. Seek out people and people will respond to your music. It's not just about who you know but who knows you.