I³R Announces Winner of Statewide Leitmotif Music Competition
The Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research (I³R) at the U of A is proud to announce that Gus Kerby, Fayetteville-based musician and U of A graduate, has been selected as the winner of its inaugural music competition. His original instrumental composition will serve as I³R’s official leitmotif, a recurring musical theme that embodies the I3R’s mission and vision.
“Music has the power to engage the brain, influence emotions, and enhance well-being. This leitmotif will reinforce the vital role of collaboration in driving innovations and discoveries,” said Ranu Jung, associate vice chancellor and I³R founding executive director.
The competition was launched in partnership with the U of A Department of Music and Hill Records, a student-run record label and entertainment project. This leading-edge collaboration sought to find a signature sound for I³R, encapsulating its commitment to innovation, convergence research, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
“I’m so thrilled that Hill Records can continue to collaborate across the university, and I’m very excited to see creative music used in this way,” said Jake Hertzog, faculty advisor and founder of Hill Records.
The initiative also aimed to strengthen Arkansas’ rapidly growing arts economy by providing a platform for local musicians to showcase their talent while emphasizing connections between wellness and the arts.
“This competition highlights the deep connection between the arts and science and strengthens our engagement with the vibrant creative economy in Arkansas and partnerships,” said Dr. Jung. “At I³R, we pioneer deployable solutions to some of society’s most ‘wicked’ problems. Music, like research, requires curiosity, innovation, and a willingness to explore uncharted territories.”
Kerby’s composition will be used in various settings throughout the Institute such as promotional videos, meetings, events, and other I³R communications. I³R’s leitmotif will serve as a defining sound for the institute, communicating the convergence between music and health.
Music plays a key role in wellness. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrated Health, performing or listening to music activates a variety of structures in the brain that are involved in thinking, sensation, movement, and emotion. These brain effects may have physical and psychological benefits.
Kerby’s composition was chosen through a rigorous two-phase panel review consisting of university representatives, musicians and recording professionals. Panelists evaluated compositions for technical merit, artistic qualities, creativity, and alignment with I³R’s core objectives: deploying scalable innovations and pioneering solutions for societal impact. Kerby, a digital composer, crafted his winning piece with the themes of technological advancement and forward-thinking research in mind. “The piece was created entirely using digital instruments on my computer, which I thought would help contribute to themes of innovation. When people hear this piece, I want them to feel a sense of optimism related to I³R’s mission,” said Kerby.
As the competition winner, Kerby received a $1,000 cash award. His composition debuted at I³R’s Grand Opening celebration on April 15.
“I am honored to have my work selected as a defining sound of I³R,” Kerby continued. “When I heard about the competition, and upon learning about I³R’s cross-campus collaborations, I felt inspired to enter. I am extremely grateful to the I³R team for recognizing my work.”
A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Kerby is a multi-talented musician whose artistry spans violin performance, music production, composition, and independent recording. Drawing from a diverse range of influences, including electronic, jazz, hip-hop, soul, and classical, he strives to create music that is unique and innovative. His passion for pushing musical boundaries aligns with I³R’s mission of fostering creativity and collaboration across disciplines.
Lilly Barcroft, outgoing president of Hill Records, emphasized the competition’s broad impact. “This project has invited musicians of all ages—students, teachers, and alumni—to invest in I³R at the University of Arkansas. It’s been amazing to see people give back to the place that molded them.”
I³R remains committed to fostering interdisciplinary collaborations that drive meaningful innovation. This initiative not only highlights the convergence of art and research but also reinforces the institute’s goal of bringing together multiple disciplines along with community and industry partners to solve complex problems facing the world today.
For more information about I³R and upcoming events, visit https://i3r.uark.edu/.