For more than 20 years, our campus has celebrated the remarkable creativity and talent of our music students through the annual Sinquefield Composition Prize. Last night, I attended a special dinner recognizing the 2027 winner, Nate Leslie, a senior majoring in music composition.

It was an honor to commend Nate, who has roots in rural Missouri and as a Tiger has performed on some of the biggest stages with Marching Mizzou, including the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as well as trips to Ireland and London. It was also a privilege to be joined by Curator Jeanne Cairns Sinquefield, whose generosity and dedication make this honor possible and have established Mizzou’s global reputation for music composition and performance.

Many others from our community were in attendance, including Provost Matthew Martens, Vice Chancellor of Advancement Chris Smith and College of Arts and Science Dean Cooper Drury, as well as leaders and faculty from our world-class School of Music and the Mizzou New Music Initiative (MNMI).

As part of the prize, Nate will have an original composition recorded and performed by a Mizzou large ensemble. His new work will premiere at the President’s Mizzou Arts Showcase next spring at the historic Missouri Theatre.

We’re grateful for the leadership of Curator Sinquefield, Rex Sinquefield and the Sinquefield Foundation. Their support of the Mizzou New Music Initiative and our students has made our campus a global hub for music innovation. We’re proud to prepare a new generation of leaders who are moving their art form forward and achieving excellence.

— Mun