About Tanner
Tanner Harrod (b. 1995) is a composer and performer based in Southeast Nebraska. Originally from Murphy, Texas, Harrod enjoys writing for many different mediums, including solo performers, chamber and large ensembles, as well as for voice. Harrod is Assistant Professor of Music at Peru (NE) State College, where he teaches music theory and general music courses. He received his DMA in Composition from the Glenn Korff School of Music at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he taught applied composition, aural skills, the history of rock music, and served as the Assistant Director of the Flyover New Music Series.
Harrod received the Master of Music degree in music theory from the University of Oklahoma. At OU he taught freshman and sophomore-level aural skills and assisted in the music theory class. He graduated magna cum laude from Texas A&M University–Commerce, where he received the Bachelor of Science degree in Music with an All-Level Teacher Certification.
In addition to his work as a theory pedagogue and composer, Harrod maintains an active performance schedule as both a guitarist and french hornist, primarily in musical theatre. Recent engagements include the Nebraska premieres of The Prom (Bellevue Little Theatre, 2023) and Spamalot (Ralston Community Theatre, 2023). In February of 2020, Harrod played mandolin for the world premier of Tony Maglione’s Dust Bowl with the Verdigris Ensemble at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in Dallas, Texas. Additionally, Harrod works as a guitarist in church, jazz, and contemporary classical settings.
Harrod is the recipient of the Othmer Fellowship and the 2022 Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award at UNL and was supported in his studies at TAMUC through both the Hoyle & Ann Oglesby Julian Music Endowment and the Ann Burgess Music Endowment. Upcoming commissions include Supposedly, a new song for Daniel Ikpeama, as well as a new timpani solo for percussionist Trevor Landreth. Harrod is a member of the College Music Society, Pi Kappa Lambda, Society for Music Theory, Society of Composers, Inc., and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, where he serves as the Deputy Province Governor of Province 6 (Nebraska/Western Iowa). He is a Distinguished Member of Sigma Alpha Iota.
