For Gordy Haab, returning to Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of the Arts as this year’s Spring Commencement speaker is more than just a full-circle moment – it’s one of his life’s culminating achievements.
“Even greater than the Grammys,” Haab said, reflecting on the significance of being invited back to address VCUarts’ class of 2025 graduates. “It’s the culmination of everything I worked toward when studying at VCU.”
Last year, Haab and his fellow composer Stephen Barton won a Grammy Award for Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media for their work on Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.
Well known in music composition for his scores in other games like Star Wars Battlefront and Halo Wars 2, Haab credits VCUarts as the launchpad for his career in music.
As a student, majored in music composition with a focus on jazz composition under the guidance of renowned jazz educator Doug Richards. “You weren’t just learning in a bubble,” Haab said. “You were gigging around Richmond, getting real-time feedback and learning from musicians who were both teachers and performers.”
Even with impressive accolades like his Grammy win, an Ivor Novello Award and a BAFTA nomination, Haab remains grounded in the values and experiences he gained at VCUarts. “None of this would mean anything without the education I received at VCU,” he said.
Haab hopes his journey inspires graduates to pursue their passions with the same tenacity – and to believe in the creative possibilities they can build for themselves.
Preparing to speak to a new generation of artists, Haab offers a message of resilience and hope. “This industry is always changing,” he said, “but what’s great about artists is that we’re endlessly creative. We will always find a way to build our own stages and perform our own craft.”
Haab will address this year’s VCUarts graduates on Thursday, May 8, at 1:00 p.m. at the Altria Theater. More information is available on the commencement homepage.