Acclaimed as writing music of “austere beauty” that exhibits the “pressure and presence of personal conviction,” Kevin Siegfried (b. 1969) is in demand as a composer of distinctive and engaging musical works. His music was recently described as “hypnotic and beautifully written” by The Boston Musical Intelligencer, and is known for its direct expression, lyricism, and accessibility. Siegfried’s music is published by E. C. Schirmer, Earthsongs, G. Schirmer, and MorningStar and has been performed by leading ensembles including The Byrd Ensemble, Choral Arts Initiative, Conspirare, The Dale Warland Singers, The Exon Singers, and The New York Choral Society. Recent festival performances include the American Masterpieces Choral Festival, Llangollen International Musical Eistoddfod (Wales), Minnesota Beethoven Festival, and the St. Magnus International Festival (Scotland). Siegfried’s music has been featured at both national and regional conventions of the American Choral Director’s Association, and was performed by the ACDA National Youth Honor Choir during their inaugural concert tour of England. “Lay Me Low” from Shaker Songs, one of Siegfried’s most performed works, was sung by The Joint Armed Forces Chorus at the State Funeral of President George H. W. Bush. Siegfried is the recipient of grants and awards from ASCAP, Choral Arts New England, National Endowment for the Arts, and New Hampshire State Council on the Arts. Since 2014, Siegfried has been composer-in-residence with the Capitol Hill Chorale in Washington, DC. The Chorale has commissioned and premiered over a dozen works, including two cantatas: “Child of Earth,” for mezzo-soprano, SATB chorus, strings, and harp, and “Angel of Light,” for soprano solo, and SATB chorus a cappella. In 2018, the Capitol Hill Chorale received a Chorus America/ASCAP Alice Parker Award, giving special recognition to the Chorale’s relationship with Siegfried and their mission to spotlight innovative musical programming.
