Raven Chacon

Dates:

Born 1977

Theme:

Fusion of Indigenous traditions into contemporary compositions.

Notable Works:

Voiceless Mass (2021)

American Ledger No. 1 (2018)

Sweet Land (2020)

About:

Raven Chacon, born in 1977 in Fort Defiance, Arizona, within the Navajo Nation, is a distinguished Diné composer, performer, and installation artist. He pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts at the University of New Mexico, graduating in 2001, and later earned a Master of Fine Arts in Music Composition from the California Institute of the Arts in 2004. There, he studied under notable composers such as James Tenney, Morton Subotnick, and Wadada Leo Smith. Chacon’s innovative approach intertwines experimental soundscapes with Indigenous narratives, positioning him as a significant figure in contemporary art and music.

In 2022, Chacon made history as the first Native American to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music with his composition “Voiceless Mass.” This piece, crafted for pipe organ and ensemble, delves into the complex relationship between religion and Indigenous communities, reflecting on themes of silenced voices and cultural erasure. Beyond this accolade, Chacon’s work has been showcased at esteemed venues including the Whitney Biennial, the Kennedy Center, and documenta 14. His 2020 opera “Sweet Land,” co-composed with Du Yun, received critical acclaim and was named 2021 Opera of the Year by the Music Critics Association of North America.

Chacon’s commitment to education is evident through his long-standing involvement with the Native American Composer Apprentice Project (NACAP), where he has mentored over 300 Native high school students in composing string quartets. His contributions to the arts have been recognized with numerous honors, including a 2023 MacArthur Fellowship, the Berlin Prize, and fellowships from United States Artists and the Pew Center for Arts & Heritage. Currently residing in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Toronto, Ontario, Chacon continues to challenge and expand the boundaries of contemporary music and art.