Alumnus Julián Fueyo González Wins an Influential BMI Student Composer Award

Cleveland Institute of Music alumnus Julián Fueyo (BM ’20, Fitch) is one of eight young classical composers named a winner of the 68th annual BMI Student Composer Awards. These awards are among the most prestigious prizes awarded to young composers, and past recipients have gone on to win Pulitzer Prizes in music, earn significant commissions and add major works to the repertoire.

The awards recognize superior musical compositional ability with annual educational scholarships totaling $20,000. This year, nearly 600 students in the Western Hemisphere applied, and all works were judged anonymously. BMI, in collaboration with the BMI Foundation (BMIF) has awarded over 600 grants to young composers since its inception.

Fueyo’s compositions explore the mythological dimensions of music in relation to the collective memory and psychology. His pieces have been performed by Peter Otto, first associate concertmaster of The Cleveland Orchestra, and CIM student violinist Shannon Lee (Laredo/Sloman) and have won first prize at The Robert Avalon International Competition and the Cleveland Composers Guild Competition. Originally from Tampíco, Mexico, Fueyo studied at Interlochen Arts Academy with Cynthia Van Maanen prior to coming to CIM to study with Keith Fitch. He will pursue graduate studies at Yale University this fall.

“Julián's BMI prize is the perfect capstone to a stellar undergraduate career at CIM, which included recognition from no fewer than six local and national student composer competitions,” said Fitch, the Vincent K. and Edith H. Smith Chair in Composition and division head, specialized studies. “He is a truly a shining example of what a CIM education offers its students, and what they can accomplish while here – and beyond. I am thrilled that Julián ended his time at CIM with such an incredible accomplishment and honor, and his colleagues and I are very happy for him. I predict a bright future for him.”

BMIF will celebrate all winners throughout the month of May on the organization’s social media platforms.

With the postponement of this year’s awards ceremony, Deirdre Chadwick, BMI Foundation president and director of the awards, announced the recipients online. The winners will join the 2021 class at a ceremony next year in New York City.

Click here to listen to Fueyo’s winning entry, The Eleventh Heaven.