Jeffrey Derus

is an award-winning American composer and producer. His music has gained a worldwide presence with commissions and performances from ensembles such as Choral Arts Initiative, the Jason Max Ferdinand Singers, Constellation Men’s Ensemble, Inversion Ensemble, the Young New Yorkers’ Chorus, KC VITAS, INSPIRARE, the Nova Scotia Choral Federation, as well as universities around the world. 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 is praised for its “fascinating and multifaceted sound world.” (CD Hotlist) “It just doesn’t get much better than this.” (Take Effect Reviews) In 2023 he received two Gold Medals from the Global Music Awards for his work From Wilderness; for Creativity and Originality. From Wilderness recently placed 2nd in Major Choral Works for The American Prize Pro Division.

Jeffrey is the winner of the 2022 ACDA Brock Prize for Professional Composers for his piece “I Will Go”. He is a recipient of a Helene Wurlitzer Foundation of New Mexico residency and a 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. Published by Caribbean Blue Publishing, his music is available at Graphite and Pavane.