Filipino-American composer Susie Ibarra wins Pulitzer Prize for Music

In exciting news for the arts and culture scene, Filipino-American composer, percussionist, and sound artist Susie Ibarra has been awarded the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Music.

Her winning piece, titled "Sky Islands," is a captivating work that delves into the unique high-altitude rainforest habitats of Luzon in the Philippines, drawing inspiration from their incredibly rich and delicate ecosystems.

"Sky Islands" first premiered on July 18, 2024, presented by Asia Society. The composition celebrates Filipino biodiversity and culture at its core, incorporating sounds from traditional instruments like northern style bamboo, the gong (kulintang), and flute. The performance itself featured these elements on "Floating Gardens," which are gong metals doubling as both visual and sonic sculptures.

The composition and performance were brought to life by an eight-piece ensemble. This included Susie Ibarra and Levy Lorenzo on percussion, Claire Chase on flute, and the Bergamot Quartet, comprised of violinists Ledah Finck and Sarah Thomas, violist Amy Huimei Tan, and cellist Irène Han.

Support for the creation of "Sky Islands" was generously provided through grants from institutions such as the Fromm Music Foundation at Harvard University, NYSCA, and the NYFA Anonymous Was A Woman Environmental Artists Grants.

The Pulitzer committee praised Ibarra's work, noting that it "challenges the notion of the compositional voice by interweaving the profound musicianship and improvisational skills of a soloist as a creative tool."

"Sky Islands" was chosen for the prize over the other finalists in the category: "Jim is Still Crowing" by Jalalu-Kalvert Nelson and "The Comet" by George Lewis. As the Pulitzer winner, Ibarra receives an award of $15,000.

This significant award adds to Ibarra's recent accolades. She was also a recipient of a Creative Capital 2025 Award for her project "CHAN: Sonnets and Devotions in the Wilderness." This earlier work features a collection of six kundimans, traditional Filipino romance ballads, composed by Ibarra to reflect on landscapes that hold personal meaning for her, including the historic Pasig River.

Ibarra's achievement follows a period of notable recognition for Filipino women in the arts and journalism at the Pulitzer Prizes, with three other Filipinas having been named finalists in different categories just the year prior.