Asbury Music Alumnus Receives Chicagoan of the Year in Classical Music Award

January 2, 2025

Dr. Shawn E. Okpebholo ’03, a distinguished composer and professor at Wheaton College, earned the title of 2024 Chicagoan of the Year in Classical Music from the Chicago Tribune. This honor highlights his significant contributions to contemporary classical music and his impactful compositions addressing pressing social issues.

Born in Lexington, Ky., Dr. Okpebholo studied music composition and music history at Asbury University, graduating in 2003. He continued his education by earning master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. He also pursued specialized studies in film scoring at New York University. In 2023, Okpebholo received a Grammy nomination for Best Classical Vocal Solo Album for Lord, How Come Me Here?

During the 2023-2024 season, Dr. Okpebholo served as the Saykaly Garbulinska Composer-in-Residence for the Lexington Philharmonic (LexPhil). He showcased his work in several performances, including the world premiere of Two Black Churches in May 2024. This powerful composition reflects on the tragedies at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala., in 1963, and the Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C., in 2015. Audiences at the University of Kentucky’s Singletary Center for the Arts responded enthusiastically to the premiere, which featured baritone Will Liverman.

Renowned orchestras like the Chicago, Cincinnati, and Houston Symphonies, along with the Lexington Philharmonic, have performed Dr. Okpebholo’s compositions. His music resonates with audiences through its emotional depth and engagement with contemporary social themes. Alongside his compositional work, Dr. Okpebholo teaches as the Jonathan Blanchard Professor of Composition and Music Theory at Wheaton College-Conservatory of Music in Illinois.

Reflecting on his time at Asbury University, Dr. Okpebholo notes the personalized instruction and mentorship he received from instructors James Curnow, Dr. Ronald Holz, and Dr. Vicki Bell. He values the encouragement and prayers from his professors, who served as spiritual mentors and role models.

By naming Dr. Okpebholo the Chicagoan of the Year in Classical Music, the Chicago Tribune recognizes the profound impact he continues to make on the musical world. His dedication to creating meaningful art inspires audiences and musicians alike.

To experience Dr. Okpebholo’s artistry, listen to Two Black Churches, performed by baritone Will Liverman and the Lexington Philharmonic.

The Asbury University Music Department offers a major in Music (with emphases in composition and arranging, instrumental performance, pre-music therapy, vocal performance, and church music leadership), a major in Music Education (with emphases in general music education, instrumental music education, vocal/choral education, and combined instrumental/vocal education), and a minor in Music.