1999 Commissioned Composer

Currently a Professor at the Jordan College of Fine Arts at Butler University, James Quitman Mulholland is a much published and performed composer and arranger.  He started the study of composition, voice, piano and various musical instruments at the age of twelve.  A native of Laurel, Mississippi, Mr. Mulholland completed his BM and MM Degrees in Voice and Composition at Louisiana State University, followed by four years as a Graduate Assistant at Indiana University, working toward the degree of DMA in Performance and Literature.

His compositions have been performed at the last four national conventions of the American Choral Directors Association.  Many of his compositions have become standard repertoire for children’s choirs throughout the country, as well as most collegiate and professional ensembles.  In addition, they are performed regularly by universities and choral associations throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe.  Mr. Mulholland has done commissioned works for many choirs throughout the world, including the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus, and the International Children’s Choir Festival, and also for the American Choral Directors Association.

In 1995 he was named as Louisiana State University’s School of Music Alumnus of the Year.  In 1996 he was selected by the ACDA to compose the Raymond W. Brock Memorial Composition which was performed at all of the Regional Conventions.  Outside of his selective writing, he accepts approximately ten commissions a year.  He has received commissions and performances in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and throughout Europe.

How Can I Keep From Singing—commissioned for YNS in 1999