Jacobs student wins composition award

Graduate student Nikolas Jeleniauskas not only sings, dances and plays music, but he can also compose award-winning pieces.\nAustin Peay State University recently awarded Jeleniauskas second place and a $400 prize in the 21st Annual Young Composer’s Competition for his original composition, “Abstractions.”\nJeleniauskas, currently a second-year graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in composition, works closely with his composition instructor, Claude Baker. \n“He’s a wonderful student,” Baker said. “He’s diligent and conscientious. His work displays imagination and a great depth of feeling. ... It’s a great honor and certainly deserved.”\nJeleniauskas got his start in music when he was in middle school. Like most children, he participated in school band and other activities. Jeleniauskas said music was something that his family did and, naturally, he decided to toot his own horn, so to speak.\nHe has come a long way since then. In 2005, Jeleniauskas was given the opportunity to conduct the National Orchestra of Bulgaria. Last year, the Syracuse Society for New Music commissioned him to write music, which Jeleniauskas said was one of the most rewarding experiences of his musical career so far. \nJeleniauskas has also received other awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.\nComposing is not the only musical activity Jeleniauskas practices. He said he dabbles in most instruments, citing clarinet, piano and strings as his favorites. \nJeleniauskas is also a ballet dancer and can be found dancing in the Jacob’s School of Music production of “The Nutcracker” this weekend.\nIn addition to dancing and composing, Jeleniauskas is quite an accomplished singer. Baker said Jeleniauskas is more comfortable when he’s writing music for voice. Jeleniauskas said that as far as performing is concerned, singing is the only thing he thinks he could do professionally. \nHe hopes to become a composer and work with musicians and orchestras. Baker said the future looks bright for Jeleniauskas and knows good things will come to him.