Jenni Brandon: 2026 Composer of the Year at Coastal Carolina University

Jenni is thrilled to be the 2026 Composer of the year for the REP Project at Coastal Carolina University. She will present workshops and events throughout her residency, including masterclasses on composition, accessible yoga for everyone, and developing collaborative projects. She’ll also work with performers as the residency culminates in a recital of her music, and Jenni will conduct her clarinet choir on her work Gather at the Rock.

The REP Project is a collaborative initiative led by Dr. Eric Schultz and CCU students that focuses on diversifying music by working directly with a living American composer each year. Through residencies, students engage with the composer in rehearsals, masterclasses, interviews, and performances, while also discussing the importance of representation in the concert hall. Building on experiences such as iconic composer Valerie Coleman’s impactful residency, the project challenges traditional repertoire lists that have historically excluded many voices, treating new music with the same depth and respect given to composers like Mozart and Brahms. By doing so, The REP Project fosters a more inclusive and relevant approach to musicmaking, while giving students a personalized and inspiring opportunity to shape the future of musical repertoire.