Mount Rainier, Washington’s awe-inducing 14,411-foot stratovolcano and the undisputed monarch of the Cascade Range, has inspired countless painters, poets and photographers. This summer, to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the founding of Mount Rainier National Park, the National Park Service will celebrate with song. Stephen Lias, a music professor from Stephen F.
Austin State University in East Texas, has been named the park’s first-ever composer in residence. This summer, Lias will hike, camp and draft compositions in different parts of Mount Rainier National Park in an attempt to capture the spirit of the mountain in a piece of classical music. “A lot of the parks that retain artists-in-residence programs do it as a way to honor the tradition of artists, poets and authors like John Muir, who really helped sway public opinion to start parks in the first place,” said Lias, 58.
“It’s unbelievably meaningful. I don’t have any other way to put it.” More Lias will spend a few stints working and living in the park between now and September.
While in the park, he’ll stay in a cabin near the Nisqually entrance, in addition to time spent camping. In a statement, park Superintendent Greg Dudgeon said he’s “so pleased” to welcome Lias to the park. “The mountain has nourished body and spirit and inspired the imaginations of countless generations,” Dudgeon said.
“As the park’s first official composer in residence, we anticipate Stephen will introduce.
