Composer Feature: Evan Williams

Happy Friday and first day of August! This week we’re featuring the composer and conductor Evan Williams.

Evan Williams draws from influences ranging from Medieval chants to contemporary pop. He explores the thin lines between beauty and disquieting, joy and sorrow, and simple and complex in his music, while also often tackling important social and political issues. His catalogue contains a broad range of work, including vocal and operatic offerings, instrumental pieces, and electronic music. 

After receiving his bachelor’s degree from the Conservatory of Music at Lawrence University, Williams earned a Master’s from Bowling Green State University and a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Composition with a cognate in Orchestral Conducting at the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati.

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Evan Williams conducting in 2019.

Williams has received numerous awards and recognition including from the American Prize, the National Federation of Music Clubs, ASCAP, and Fellowships from the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. In 2018, he was chosen as the Detroit Symphony’s inaugural African-American Classical Roots Composer-in-Residence. He currently serves as the Steven R. Gerber Composer-in-Residence for the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia.

Originally from the Chicagoland area, Williams currently resides in Boston, MA, and serves as Assistant Professor of Composition at the Berklee College of Music, where he teaches composition, conducting, music technology, harmony, and counterpoint. He previously held teaching positions at Rhodes College, Lawrence University, Bennington College, and at The Walden School’s Young Musicians Program. 

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Cantigas being performed at our most recent Music in Bloom concert.

Juventas recently performed movements from William’s piece Cantigas during our 2025 Music in Bloom concert. William’s other work can be heard on multiple commercial releases, including soprano Katherine Jolly’s critically acclaimed debut album Preach Sister, Preach.