Jeremy Van Buskirk
Composer, Educator
Eclectic composer, Jeremy Van Buskirk, has over 25 years experience writing and teaching music at the Longy School of Music
Latest Blog Post
Creativity is Generosity.
New Score Video Posted
Three Pieces for Piano (2004)Upcoming Project
New work for wind ensemble commissioned by World Projects Inc.
2026 premiere
About
Jeremy Van Buskirk (b. 1973) is a composer and educator living in Massachusetts. His music focuses on personal reflection and journeys of discovery. It invites audiences to contemplate shared experiences, exploring both the joy, sadness, and wonder of the human condition.
His piece, The World Was A Secret for wind ensemble, delves into the wonder and danger of unchecked creativity. The electronic work, The Root of All Evil, peers into the frustration created by financial instability, and pieces such as I am you will be. . . and Closer to Home question the inevitability of life’s path. Exuberance and aggression sit side-by-side with peace and tranquility in Jeremy’s music, as they do in our daily lives.
Jeremy’s work as an educator focuses on peeling back layers of complexity to share the splendor of complex musical ideas while holding firm to the belief that music should never be reduced to a set of memorized rules. Over the last 25 years, Jeremy has taught composition and music theory at the Longy School of Music of Bard College, where he also serves as Special Advisor to Academic Affairs.
Organizations such as SEAMUS, ICMC, Alea III, Longy Chamber Orchestra, Lorelei Ensemble, saxophonist Ken Radnofsky, pianist Donald Berman, Wayman Chin, The Fourth Wall Ensemble, Redline Brass Quintet, Vento Chiaro, Electronic Music Midwest, and 60×60 have performed Jeremy's music.
Additionally, he’s received commissions from The Rivers School Conservatory Annual Seminar on Contemporary Music for the Young and festivals organized by World Projects Inc. with performances at Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Center and the Chicago Symphony Center.
Recordings of Jeremy’s electroacoustic music can be found on labels such as SEAMUS, Ablaze Records, and Tell-Tale Music Media. His acoustic music is published by World Projects Publishing.
Jeremy holds a B.M. from Berklee College of Music, M.M. degrees in Composition and Modern American Music from Longy School of Music, and a D.M.A. in Composition from Boston University. He has studied under esteemed teachers such as Lukas Foss, Richard Cornell, John Fitz Rogers, and Paul Brust.
Music
Large Ensemble
New Piece for Wind Ensemble (2025)
New York Wind Band Festival
Carnegie Hall
March 8 – 12, 2026Awakening (2018)
Wind Ensemble
written for the Lockport High School Wind Esnemble in honor of Paul Allison
ListenThe World Was A Secret (2018)
Wind Ensemble
commissioned by World Projects for the Stoneman Douglas High School Wind Symphony
recording, score and parts available from World ProjectsFireworks (2017)
Wind Ensemble
commissioned by World Projects for the Mira Mesa High School Wind Ensemble
recording, score and parts available from World ProjectsCloser to Home (2016)
SSAA Chorus
commissioned by World Projects for Ensemble PermonÃk
recording, score and parts available from World ProjectsStep Up! (2015)
String Orchestra
commissioned by World Projects for the Beckman Chamber Orchestra
recording, score and parts available from World Projectssuch as I am you will be… (2014)
Large Orchestra
commissioned by World Projects and the Boston Composers’ Coalition for the Harker School Orchestra
recording, score and parts available from World ProjectsKaleidoscope (2010)
Large OrchestraAll the Wonder in the World (2010)
commissioned by Alea III - part of 19 Epigrams in Honor of Lukas FossFanfare for Orchestra (2000)
Chamber OrchestraAs Time Goes By (2000)
Flute Concerto - Flute and Chamber OrchestraParadise Lost (1998)
Chamber Orchestra
Dramatic
Mozart and Salieri (2016)
10 Minute Opera
commissioned by the Boston Opera Collaborative and the Longy School of Music of Bard College
Chamber
Set of 3 (2012)
Double Bass Duet
commissioned by the Rivers Conservatory for the 2012 Seminar on Contemporary Music for the YoungThe Looking Glass (2012)
Brass Quintet
ListenIn Honor of E.C. (2011)
Woodwind Quintet
ListenFrom One, Apart (2010)
The Fourth Wall Ensemble (Flute, Bass Trombone, Percussion)
ListenSimple Song (2003)
Soprano and CelloPrayer (2001)
Cello and Double BassUp 'Til Now (1999)
Baritone and PianoBass Bossa (1999)
Double Bass QuartetLife Love (1997)
Soprano and PianoWoodwind Quartet (1997)
Solo
Tria (2019)
Piano
commissioned by the Longy School of Music for the dedication of the Greimann Piano
ListenLucifer/Vesper (2013)
PianoFleeting Moments (2012)
Viola
commissioned by the Rivers Conservatory for the 2012 Seminar on Contemporary Music for the YoungIf I Could Start Again . . . (2007)
Solo Clarinet Version
ListenThree Pieces for Piano (2004)
ListenFive Pieces for Piano (2001)Inharmonic (1999)
Electric bassSolo for Cello (1998)Reminiscence (1997)
PianoTwo Short Pieces of Piano (1995)
Acousmatic Music
Counter-motive II (2013)Counter-motive (2013)
Available on SEAMUS Electro-Acoustic Miniatures 2013: Negative Space
ListenThe Noise He Used in Order to Paint (2012)
Available on SEAMUS Electro-Acoustic Miniatures 2012: Re-Caged
ListenAnniversary (2012)Alloy (2012)
Available on Electronic Masters, Vol. 3, Ablaze Records
ListenMetal Etude No. 1 (2011)Duet (2010)Meditations (2010)Loving Laughter (2010)Supercollider Ambient (2009)For the Love of Laughter (2009)Isn't that . . . (2007)The Root of All Evil (2005)Still Life (2005)Swirl (2003)Still (2001)Crowds (1999)
Live Electroacoustic
A Sigh Felt Across the Earth (2013)
commissioned by Ken Radnofsky
Alto saxaphone and electronics
version for trumpet (2024)
ListenPortum in Ultimo (2010)
Lorelei Ensemble
SSAA Chorus, electronics, and D.J.If I Could Start Again. . . (2007)
Viola and Live ElectronicsIt Might All Slip Away (2006)
Guitar and Fixed MediaChant (Prayer II) (2002)
Double Bass Quartet and Live ElectronicsId (2001)
Double Bass and Fixed MediaGamut (1999)
Flute and Fixed Media
Composition and Music Theory Lessons
Online Composition and Music Theory Lessons
I offer individual lessons in composition and music theory remotely for musicians of any age or experience level.
Learn to express your musical ideas with clarity and detail!
Studying composition involves developing both artistic and technical ability. As a teacher, I am committed to helping my students refine their understanding of essential musical components like harmony and orchestration while exploring their unique compositional voice.Students leave my lessons with music that is clear, impactful, and professional.I welcome all musical styles, interests, and experience levels.Learn:
Harmony, counterpoint, orchestration, and form (beginner or advanced)
Traditional notation or DAW-based composition practice
Synthesis and MIDI programming
Computer music software (Max/SuperCollider/Csound)
Music Theory
Music theory should never be reduced to a set of rules you memorize. Learning musical style and how composers treat consonance and dissonance leads to a far greater understanding of the inner workings of music.Feel confident preparing for music theory entrance exams and certifications or building experience analyzing larger musical works.Learn:
Foundational material like intervals and scales
Modal and tonal counterpoint
Tonal or non-tonal harmony
Voice leading and part writing
Large or small-scale musical form
Teaching experience
Over 20 years experience of teaching composition, electronic music, and music theory at the Longy School of Music
My students have been accepted to school like University of Chicago, UC Irvine, and Ohio State University. They have gone on to write music for the concert hall, video games, and work for companies like Native Instruments.
Blog
Hey Wait, That's Music is a blog dedicated thoughts and tips on music and more.Most recent blog post
Creativity is Generosity.
Contact
Please contact me to set up a free online composition or music theory lesson.