Last night, I attended a special award dinner honoring Mizzou student Dean Wibe, winner of the prestigious 2026 Sinquefield Composition Prize. Dean graduated last spring with his Master’s of Music in Cello Performance from Mizzou and is now pursuing his Master’s in Music Composition.

I enjoyed congratulating Dean and learning more about his composition process, including the inspiration he takes from nature. Also present was Curator Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield, who – along with her husband Rex Sinquefield and the Sinquefield Charitable Foundation – developed this award to support emerging student composers at Mizzou. We were joined by Provost Matthew Martens, College of Arts & Science Dean Cooper Drury and other leaders from the School of Music and Mizzou Advancement.

As the 21st Sinquefield Composition Prize winner, Dean will receive a scholarship as well as a commission to create a new work for the Mizzou Wind Ensemble. His original composition will premiere at the Chancellor’s Arts Showcase next spring.

Thanks to the dedication and generosity of the Sinquefields, Mizzou is a global center for new music composition. From world-class faculty to innovative programing like the Mizzou New Music Initiative and the Sinquefield Composition Prize, we support creative excellence and the ambitions of our talented community.

— Mun