Dr. Victor Labenske is professor of music at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, California, where he teaches courses in piano and composition. A summa cum laude graduate of PLNU, he earned his master's degree in piano performance at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Joanne Baker. He also earned the Doctor of Musical Arts in piano performance at the University of Southern California, where he studied with Stewart Gordon.
Labenske has been honored with such distinctions as playing in the opening ceremonies of the 1984 Olympic Games and being named an Academic All-American Scholar. His compositional output, over 700 published compositions and arrangements, includes sacred piano collections; educational piano music; and music for violin and piano, voice and piano, and handbells. Labenske remains active as a concert artist as soloist and a collaborative performer.
Education
- D.M.A., Piano Performance, University of Southern California
- M.M., Piano Performance, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Conservatory of Music
- B.A., Music (Piano Performance), Point Loma Nazarene University
Courses Taught
- Private Piano – MUA 1056 – 4056
- Private Composition – MUC 2052 – 4052
- Piano Literature – MUH 3011
- Piano Pedagogy – MUE 3011
- Class Piano – MUA 1041-1043
- Arranging I – MCM 3035
- Intro to Commercial Composition – MCM 1000
Experience in Field
- Research objectives: Manuscript and composer study of contemporary composers (including Alberto Ginastera and Ross Lee Finney)
- Point Loma Nazarene University (San Diego, CA), Professor, 1987 – present
Professional and Community Involvement
- Director of Worship, Classic Service, San Diego First Church of the Nazarene
- Music Teachers National Association (MTNA)
- American Society of Composers and Publishers (ASCAP)
- Music Teachers Association of California (MTAC)
Dissertations, Presentations, and Publications
MTAC State Convention, Invited Presenter. “Hidden Motives: Quotes, Symbols and Other Compositional Techniques Found in Piano Works by Pedagogical Composers,” July 2021
- “Hidden Motives: Quotes, Symbols and Other Compositional Techniques Found in Piano Works by Pedagogical Composers, part 2” California Music Teacher 46:1 Spring 2022
- Glory Shone Round. Lorenz, May 2022.
- Rejoice and Give Thanks. San Diego, CA: Kjos, forthcoming 2022.
- Artistry in Worship. Dayton, OH, Lorenz, June 2021
- Lord, Abide with Me: Hymns of Prayer and Petition. Dayton, OH, Lillenas/Lorenz, 2020
- Adventures in Yellowstone, Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Publ., 2020
- “The Composer’s Score from Conception to Publication: The Evolution of Ginastera’s Piano Sonata No. 2.” Piano Magazine 11:5 (Winter 2019-20), 54-61.
- 2019 Greatest Christian Hits, Van Nuys, CA: Alfred Publ., 2019
- Commissioned Composer for the MTNA National Conference Session, “From the Pen to the Premiere,” March 2019, Spokane, WA
