Composer Feature: Keane Southard

This week, we’re featuring composer and pianist Keane Southard!

As a very decorated artist, Keane holds awards from the St. Christopher Chamber Orchestra Third International Composer Competition, Gregg Smith Choral Competition, Dartmouth College Wind Ensemble Composition Competition, and the Michal Kleofas Oginski International Symphony Orchestra Contest. He has been commissioned by notable organizations such as fivebyfive, and OSSIA New Music, in addition to holding multiple residencies and fellowships.

One of the pieces that Keane would like to share is his "Appalachian Trail Symphony: New England". Commissioned by a consortium of New England orchestras, the symphony was inspired by Keane's 734 mile hike of the Appalachian Trail's New England portion. The piece is available for listening at the Youtube link below:

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Keane on the New England portion of the Appalachian Trail.

Keane’s piece, “Appalachian Trail Symphony: New England” is available for listening at this Youtube link.

Another piece Keane would like to feature is his "Three Love Songs" for voice and piano. Each song is set to a different poem, and Keane is in the process of arranging them for voice and wind ensemble, set to be premiered in May with the UMass Amherst Symphony Band. Check out the songs with the link below:

https://youtube.com/playlist...

In recent news, Keane's most recently completed work, Requiem for Animals, will premiere with Brattleboro Concert Choir in Marlboro, VT also in May. The piece commemorates wildlife extinction and the killing of farmed animals.

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The album cover for "Waltzing Dervish: The Wind Music of Keane Southard" recorded by the Northeastern State University Wind Ensemble and conducted by Norman Wika.