Dan Locklair, Composer of WDAV’s Theme, Wins National Award for his Requiem

October 14, 2025

of Note

Composer Dan Locklair has been honored with The American Prize Ernst Bacon Memorial Award for the Performance of American Music (2025). He won in the Professional Composers category for his work, Requiem.

The award, which celebrates the performance of American music, recognizes this specific piece written for a multipart chorus, soloists, organ, and string orchestra.

Initially inspired by the passing of his parents, Requiem has evolved into a moving tribute to love, memory, and resiliance. The nine-movement work blends English texts with elements of the Latin Mass and features solo movements that incorporate other Biblical passages. If you’d like to experience it, you can hear the music and follow the score in this video.

Locklair’s compositions have been performed by major ensembles worldwide, including the Helsinki Philharmonic, St. Louis Symphony, and BBC Singers. Closer to home, his work is part of WDAV’s audio theme.

Locklair is Composer-in-Residence and Professor of Music, Emeritus, at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. Learn more about his life and works at his official website.