Bozeman Magazine

Accomplished composer and author Dale Trumbore will visit Montana State University Oct. 4-6 to teach classes, deliver a lecture and give a recital of her music. 

MSU’s Honors College and the School of Music, which is part of the College of Arts and Architecture, collaborated to bring Trumbore to campus. 

Music students will learn technical skills from Trumbore, and the entire student body will have an opportunity to hear her discuss how to stay productive and solve problems by tapping into one’s creativity, which is a topic of her book, “Staying Composed: Overcoming Anxiety and Self-Doubt Within a Creative Life.” 

“Students in all majors, wittingly or not, are artists in their own right,” said Ilse-Mari Lee, dean of the MSU Honors College. “Regardless of their chosen career paths, in order to solve the problems of our time, our students will need both imagination — creativity — and technical knowledge. We are delighted that Dale will share her expertise with our students.”  

MSU music professor and director of choral activities Kirk Aamot met Trumbore at a conference years ago in Kansas City, Missouri. He was struck by her ability to express how to remain productive while dealing with anxiety. 

“I think this message coming from somebody like her, who is so successful, is wonderful,” Aamot said. “It’s very human.”   

Aamot remained in contact with Trumbore who, during the pandemic, talked to MSU students via Zoom. MSU ensembles have previously performed her music. While she is at MSU, Trumbore will be a guest teacher in composition and choral studies classes. 

“Having a guest of her stature come to MSU creates a fantastic opportunity for our students to get to work with a world-class musician,” said Jason Bolte, director of MSU’s School of Music. 

Trumbore will work with a student music group to prepare for a recital, which will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, at Hope Lutheran Church, 2152 Graf St. in Bozeman. 

The student ensemble of soprano and alto voices, Voces Luminis, will perform with Trumbore, who will also deliver opening remarks and play a piano solo. MSU music faculty are also slated to perform pieces written by Trumbore. 

“I’m delighted to be visiting Montana State and am looking forward to working with the talented students there," Trumbore said. 

The Oct. 6 concert is open to the public. Tickets cost $10 for the general public and are free for MSU and K-12 students. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at www.tix.com/ticket-sales/msumusic/7078. 

Trumbore will deliver her Honors Presents lecture at 5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5, in Norm Asbjornson Hall on the MSU campus. Students, faculty and staff can RSVP at www.montanastate.campuslabs.com/engage/event/9313862.