Bio
Hailed by the British magazine Choir & Organ as writing music that exhibits the “pressure and presence of personal conviction,” Kevin Siegfried (b. 1969) is a composer with an emerging international voice. His music has been described as “timeless,” “ravishing,” and “refined” and is known for its direct expression, lyricism, and accessibility.
Siegfried’s music is published by E. C. Schirmer, Earthsongs, and Trinitas and has been performed and recorded by leading ensembles including The Dale Warland Singers, The Tudor Choir, and Conspirare. The Tudor Choir’s Gentle Words CD, the premiere recording of Siegfried’s Shaker song arrangements, received wide acclaim and was praised as “a stunning addition to the repertoire” by Fanfare Magazine. Siegfried has received grants and awards from ASCAP, Choral Arts New England, The Carlton Savage Endowment’s “Waging Peace Through Singing” Competition, and Bella Voce’s 2001 Choral Composition Competition.
Siegfried graduated from The New England Conservatory with a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Composition. He studied additionally in Paris, at La Schola Cantorum, and in India, with South Indian classical musician Sriram Parasuram. Since 2004, he has been on the faculty of The Boston Conservatory, where he teaches and has served as a vocal coach and musical director. Previous teaching engagements include Harvard University, The New England Conservatory, and The Northwest School in Seattle.
At the Water’s Edge, a four-movement choral cycle setting the poetry of Sarah Orne Jewett, was the subject of articles in the April/May 2007 issue of Choral Singer, a monthly periodical devoted to choral music and technique. Siegfried also appeared last year on NHPR’s “Front Porch” radio program with Liz Bulkley, which is available for download here.
Recently released recordings that feature Siegfried’s music include: Peace and Lay Me Low on The Dale Warland Singers’ CD, Harvest Home (Gothic Records); the premiere recording of Tracing a wheel on water for solo guitar, on Aaron Larget-Caplan's CD, Tracing a Wheel on Water (Music and Life); and Five Shaker Songs on the Brigham Young University Concert Choir's CD, Beautiful River (Tantara Records). A forthcoming CD by The Tudor Choir, which includes the premiere recording of At the Water’s Edge, is due out in the fall of 2007.
Current projects include commissions from: The Capitol Hill Chorale, (DC); Nashua Symphony Orchestra (NH); King’s Chapel (Boston); and guitarist Aaron Larget-Caplan (MA).
Photos by Susan Wilson
Kevin Siegfried • composer
info@kevinsiegfried.com | 603.743.1440
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