A Conductor’s Focus on the Preparation and Performance of Timothy Takach’s Helios

Authors

• Lester Ray Miller, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

First Advisor

Peter Eklund

Degree Name

Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.)

Committee Members

Carolyn Barber, Jaimie Seaman, Wendy Smith

Department

Music

Date of this Version

4-28-2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Citation

A dissertation presented to the faculty of the Graduate College at the University of Nebraska in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree Doctor of Musical Arts

Major: Music

Under the supervision of Professor Peter Eklund

Lincoln, Nebraska, May 2026

Comments

Copyright 2026, Samantha Michelle Wiener. Used by permission

Abstract

Multimovement a cappella choral works have been composed and performed since the invention of printed music. When selecting such works, choral conductors often look to masterworks of the Renaissance or to the established works of modern composers. Timothy C. Takach (b. 1978) premiered the 12-movement a cappella choral cycle entitled Helios in 2019. Takach has become a celebrated composer whose works are performed by choirs across the country, yet little academic study has focused on his output. This document serves as a resource for the conductor who wishes to program Helios and as an aid in preparing for rehearsal. It also includes a transcript of an interview with the composer discussing the inspiration and composition of Helios.

Recommended Citation

Miller, Lester Ray, "A Conductor’s Focus on the Preparation and Performance of Timothy Takach’s Helios" (2026). Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–. 477.
https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissunl/477