Chicago Tribune calls Jake Runestad "one of the best of the younger American composers.” Steeped in a belief that music has the power to initiate positive change, Jake creates musical works that are socially conscious and explore authentic human emotions and experiences.

For the season finale, Jake will join Oregon Repertory Singers and Youth Choir to conduct many of his most powerful works live in concert. Oregon Repertory Singers will also present music by young Oregonian composer Joshua Rist, as well as pieces by Mozart, Bruckner, and Mahler which they will perform on their first international tour since 2017.