OGDEN -- Last summer, Derek Myler composed a musical number without realizing it would end up winning a national competition.
After writing the piece, titled "Psalm 100," Myler noticed it met all the requirements for the competition, so he entered it on a whim.
Not only was he the winner of the 2009-10 American Choral Directors Association's Raymond W. Brock Memorial Student Composition Competition, he was the youngest student ever to win the award, as well as the first Utahn.
"This is the best launching point I could ask for my career," said the 19-year-old Weber State University choral music education major. "The award seriously heightens my credentials. Not only will this be a feather in my cap for the rest of my career but it will be much easier to get my work published."
Myler competed against entries from undergraduate and graduate students throughout the nation. His piece is a four-part choral work with a quick tempo, designed for piano accompaniment. In addition to a cash prize of $1,000, his piece will be premiered at the American Choral Directors Association's Western Division conference in Tucson, Ariz., next March.
"The competition has strict criteria. The work submitted must be an original sacred work with certain provisions in voicing, accompaniment and duration," Myler said.
Myler has always been exposed to music. His parents raised him on good music of all genres.
"But I have always shown a particular interest in classical and jazz styles," he said. "I began playing the piano when I was 7, and I have always sung. Choral music became my main focus, almost an obsession during my high school years."
Myler was born and raised in Roy. He is the son of Doug and Julie Myler and has two brothers. He graduated from Roy High School and plans to leave on a mission to Poland this January for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Upon returning, he plans to finish his education.
"I plan to attend graduate school and get a doctor of musical arts degree in choral conducting," he said. "The ultimate goal is to become the director of choirs at a university and also professionally compose."
For now, though, Myler will continue to write music, spend time with his friends and family and perform as a part-time improvisational comedian with the local troupe Off the Wall on weekends.
"I'm very grateful. I entered it on a whim and the rest, as they say, is history," Myler said. "Be looking for more music from me. It'll be coming."
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