Composing her future
Sarah Hegenderfer, a second-year music composition major, is on her way to a major career.
University of Akron (UA) music composition major Sarah Hegenderfer was just a second-year student when the Akron Symphony Orchestra premiered her piece “Clearing of Snow” in January 2026 at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall.
For Hegenderfer, having her piece performed by a professional orchestra was a transformative moment. A few months later the Cleveland Women’s Orchestra performed one of her works at the legendary Severance Music Center (see image below). The Alliance, Ohio, native looks to be on her way to a major composing career.
You started at UA as a music education major, and you also play a variety of instruments. What draws you to composition?
I like to tell a story, to convey emotion and connect with the audience and the performers. I write a lot of double meanings into my work. With “Clearing of Snow,” I wanted to portray that feeling of stepping outside in winter but it’s slowly transitioning into spring. It’s also a play on moments when you get glimmers of hope amid grief.
How has studying under the Department of Music faculty informed your work?
The faculty members are very willing to open their arms to me and mentor me in a way that has developed my composition skills. There is a lot of variety here and I have dipped my toes into every program. For example, in the last few weeks of my Music Theory 4 class we had a jazz unit, and the lectures gave me so much to add to my compositional toolbox.
What was it like to sit in the audience for the "Clearing of Snow" premiere?
There was so much to take in. After it was over, a girl came up to me and told me her mom had passed away and that this piece helped her feel a sense of hope. Connecting with that one audience member was the most impactful thing.
What other activities have you been involved in at UA?
I am the president and founder of a student organization called the Akron New Music Society, which fosters collaboration between living composers and performers to grow the new music scene. I’m hoping to start a two-day residency program to bring composers to campus every year.
How does your philosophy minor intersect with your major?
Philosophy really informs my compositional storytelling. I think experiencing the world is what helps you create things. My motto is that creation is the most human thing we can do, and philosophy has helped me develop that mindset and understanding of the world around me.
Where do you envision taking your composing career?
Eventually I’d like to compose for film and animation. I’m inspired by the Studio Ghibli movies such as “Spirited Away.” I love the soundtracks and I think there’s a lot of storytelling there.
Media contact: media@uakron.edu
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