Jeffrey Derus

Jeffrey Derus is an American composer, producer, and musician. His music has gained a worldwide presence with commissions and performances from ensembles such as Choral Arts Initiative, INSPIRARE, Constellation Men’s Ensemble, Inversion Ensemble, KC VITAS, the Nova Scotia Choral Federation, Temple University, and Vanguard University. Hailed as “powerful, dramatic, lucid” (Sonograma Magazine) and “elegant” (Voice of OC), his music is “akin to that of Holy Minimalism.” (AllMusic)

Derus’ premiere concert work, From Wilderness: A Meditation on the Pacific Crest Trail, captures the transformative experience of traveling the Pacific Crest Trail. From Wilderness made its commercial debut in April 2022 with Director Brandon Elliott and Choral Arts Initiative along with cellist Kevin Mills. It ranked #3 on the Billboard Charts (Traditional Classical Albums), #2 Best Seller on iTunes Classical Charts, and #1 New Release Opera/Vocal Albums on Amazon. From Wilderness has been praised for its “fascinating and multifaceted sound world.” (CD Hotlist) “It just doesn’t get much better than this.” (Take Effect Reviews)

Jeffrey is the winner of the 2023 ACDA Brock Prize for Professional Composers for his piece “I Will Go”. He is also a recipient of the Britten-Pears and Holst Foundation residency in Aldeburgh, UK. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from California State University, Fullerton and a Master of Arts degree in Education and Curriculum Design from Brandman University. Jeffrey is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, Chorus America, and the Recording Academy.

As a founding board member and choral artist of Choral Arts Initiative; he is called to perform new choral works and compose “music with pros he can proudly rub elbows with.” (Midwest Records)

Published by Caribbean Blue Publishing, discover more at www.jeffreyderus.com.