Michael Gilbertson, a native of Dubuque, Iowa, currently studies at The Juilliard School and Columbia University. His notable teachers have included Samuel Adler, John Corigliano, Robert X. Rodriguez, and Michel Merlet. Gilbertson’s works have been programmed by ensembles including The Juilliard Orchestra, the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, the Grand Rapids Symphony, the Dubuque Symphony, the Flint Symphony, the Rockford Symphony, the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony, and the Galesburg Symphony.

Among his many commissioned works is a ballet, La Veuve Noire, which was premiered in February of 2005 at the Madison Contemporary Dance Festival. Gilbertson’s commissioned works have been premiered at many notable venues including the Klementinum in Prague and at Carnegie Hall in New York City. His engagements for the 08-09 season include a commission from the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra to commemorate its 50^th anniversary season, the premiere of a new work for chorus and orchestra by the Rockford Symphony, and a performance of his Oboe Concerto by the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra.

Gilbertson’s work has earned numerous awards and recognitions, including awards from ASCAP in 2006 and 2007, and a major scholarship from the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts. His newest orchestra work, titled Vigil, was named the recipient of the 2007-08 Palmer-Dixon Prize, awarded by the Juilliard composition faculty for the ‘most outstanding’ work composed by a student during the year. His music has been heard on WQXR’s Young Artists’ Showcase, and a 2006 performance of his Hodie by the Anderson University Orchestra and Chorus was televised nationally on PBS stations and internationally on EWTN. Gilbertson’s orchestral pops works are published by Robert Wendel Music in New York.