Mark Kilstofte, East Class of 1977, has distinguished himself in the world of music and is currently a professor of music theory and composition at Furman University in South Carolina. Following his graduation from East High, he graduated magna cum laude from St. Olaf College with a Bachelor of Music degree in theory composition and voice, and later earned both a Master of Music in composition and voice and a Doctor of Music Arts in composition from the University of Michigan. Dr. Kilstofte is multitalented as an experienced performer, conductor, composer, and singer.
Dr. Kilstofte has earned many awards, honors, and recognitions. He was praised by the San Francisco Chronicle as "exciting and beautiful, consistently gripping." He is admired as a composer of lyrical line, engaging harmony, strong, dynamic gesture and keen sensitivity to sound, shape, and event. A few of the many music awards and honors he has received include the Rome Prize Fellowship, the Rudolf Nisim Award, the Aaron Copeland Award, and the Composers' Award for String Quartet from the West Virginia Symphony.