Featured Composer: Denise Knaack

Denise Knaack (1961) earned her BA with majors in Music Education and Communications from Simpson College and a MS Ed from Buena Vista University. She taught music in public schools for 25 years. Her assignments over the years included High School English, K-12 vocal music and beginning band. She also coached speech for a number of years. Denise is also a church pianist, organist and choir director.

Knaack has a long history with the Forum as a public school music teacher. She had a strong commitment to including composition in the elementary general music curriculum. She began entering students in the ICF Student Composition Contest in 1994. Since then her students have had numerous winners and top ten placements in the middle school and elementary division. In 2004 Knaack presented her elementary composition unit at the annual Forum festival. Knaack retired from teaching in 2008. In 2011 Knaack became the coordinator for the ICF Student Composition Contest.

Knaack is well known locally for writing pieces for her elementary choirs and bands. Most of her work is in the area of music for youth including young chorus, beginning band, and piano. Since retirement she has expanded her compositions to include SATB, SAB, and some instrumental solos. She began entering her owncompositions for the adult Call for Scores. She also arranges for her church praise band.