College of Creative Arts ºÚÁÏÉçÇø Micah Ballard has been awarded the prestigious 2024 Dolphy Prize for his composition Forest Fantasie, a dynamic and immersive piece that explores the beauty of natural landscapes while addressing environmental concerns through music. The award recognizes excellence in contemporary composition and is a testament to Ballard’s innovative musical voice.
Ballard, a double major in Music Composition and Game Design, originally wrote Forest Fantasie in 2020 while attending Interlochen Arts Camp. Initially composed as a duet for clarinet and oboe, the piece has since evolved into a five-instrument ensemble featuring flute, Bb and bass clarinet, piano, percussion, and guitar. As a composition major, Ballard was able to refine this piece in lessons with his composition professor, Susanna Hancock.
“I took the original theme I composed for Forest Fantasie back in 2020 and wrote variations of it throughout the eight-minute piece, with the feeling that the theme developed as a narrative journey through a forest environment,” Ballard explained. “I had a lot of fun utilizing unique timbres like temple blocks, vibraslap, and sandpaper to mimic natural sounds, while also introducing mechanical elements like the hi-hat brake drum to symbolize industrialization’s impact on nature.”
A Unique Fusion of Music and Game Design
Ballard’s studies in both music composition and game design influence each other significantly. “Whether I’m composing music for video games I’m working on or drawing inspiration from game soundtracks I love, the two fields are deeply interconnected,” he said. “Video game music has a long tradition of using minimalist strategies—relying on catchy motifs and rhythmic patterns to keep players engaged without overwhelming the experience.” This same approach shaped the rhythmic structure of Forest Fantasie, making it both immersive and thought-provoking.
A reviewer for the Dolphy Prize described Ballard’s composition as “evocative, catchy, and conceived with considerable imagination.” When asked what he hopes listeners take away from the piece, Ballard emphasized its environmental message. “I wanted to show the beauty of natural forests contrasted with the consequences of human interference. That’s why the piece ends on a somber low Bb in the bass clarinet—symbolizing what could happen if we don’t address environmental destruction.”
A Bright Future Ahead
Ballard’s work has already gained broader recognition. In 2025, Forest Fantasie will be officially published in the Alea Publishing catalog, a milestone for the young composer. “It’s an honor to have my work published and available for others to perform and enjoy,” he said.
Beyond his success in composition, Ballard is also leading a game development project titled To Aeris, where players take on the role of an alien bird migrating back to its home planet. The team consists of Ballard himself as the Lead Programmer and Sound Designer, Addie Drake and Greyton Manne as the 3D Environmental Artists, Lilith Wolfe as the 3D and 2D Animator, Gus Kirkpatrick as the Level Designer, and Stella Kinoshita as the 3D Character Designer. Not only is he programming the game, but he’s also composing a dynamic orchestral soundtrack, which adapts in real time to the player’s actions. The game is set to be released in May 2025.
With the Dolphy Prize, an upcoming publication, and an ambitious game project on the horizon, Ballard is making a name for himself at the intersection of music and interactive media. His ability to craft compelling soundscapes—whether in standalone compositions or video game worlds—marks him as an emerging talent to watch.