About the Composer

   Virginia Payne is an award-winning pianist and composer. She has written for full orchestra, handbell choir, solo piano, choir, and numerous specialized small ensembles.

  In 2022, she premiered a commissioned work based on the book Sun on the Plains by Jacklyn Johnson. In 2024, her work Thunder’s Anthem for trumpet trio, trombone, tuba, marimba, percussion, and cello was well received. Alongside Thunder’s Anthem, she premiered Steo for solo piano, Star Chaser for full choir, piano, and viola, and Snowfall the third movement of her Winter Suite. In the Spring of 2025, she premiered Water’s Song for Five-Octave Handbell Choir at Colorado Christian University. Fall 2025, Virginia premiered the entirety of her Winter Suite for flute, horn in F, hand chimes, toy piano, full choir, piano, violin, and cello. For Christmas of 2025, she premiered an arrangement of Ding! Dong! Merrily on High! for Three-Octave Handbell Choir and dulcimer.

  Virginia is also an author writing sci-fi and fantasy adventure novels. She has written many themes for these books including Thunder’s Anthem (2024), Dusterwald Lullaby (2025), and Ravenclaw which was premiered as a variation on the piano in the Fall of 2025.

  Virginia is currently studying under the mentorship of Charles Denler as she finishes her BA in Music Composition at Colorado Christian University.