Extended Bio

Composer, saxophonist, vocalist, and private instructor Erik M Anderson has a passion for music of diverse genres. A fan of jazz, rock, and hip hop, his music often features driving rhythm and expressive melodies. One can also hear the impact of composers Leonard Bernstein, Samuel Barber, and Igor Stravinsky. Creating music that is both personally meaningful and satisfying to the listener is of great importance to him.

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Premieres of Anderson’s work have been heard in both the US and Europe. His compositions, Hrvatska Rag and Three Songs on poems by Emily Dickenson, were performed at a workshop in Milna, Croatia, directed by composer Dr. Joel Hoffman. His symphonic debut, Prologue, was premiered by the Minot Symphony Orchestra in 2018. He has also had premieres from Pittsburgh-based string quartet, Beo, and faculty members of LA Tech University in Ruston, LA.

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On September 24, 2022, Concerto Nova for electric cello and orchestra was premiered by the Minot Symphony, featuring soloist Dr. J. Erik Anderson. Partnering with schools in Minot and Bismarck, ND, the piece is being adapted for younger orchestras to be performed later in the 2022-23 school year. This project is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and Minot Area Council on the Arts. Other upcoming projects include a song cycle for bass voice and piano. 

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As a performer, Anderson is active in the Minot community. He regularly gigs with rock groups Myles Barcomb & The Sweet Dreams and The Brothers, both of which have released music to Spotify and other streaming services. Since 2015, he has been involved with local philanthropy, Community Rocks!, for whom he has scored 20 rock orchestra arrangements. At their concert in August, he was featured both as a vocalist and in the horn section. He also performs a solo set of jazz for events.