Short Bio:
Kyle Pederson (b. 1971) is a Minneapolis-based composer, lyricist, pianist, and educator. Kyle was awarded the ACDA Genesis Prize in 2020 and the American Prize in Choral Composition in 2019. His work has been commissioned and recorded by All State/Honors choirs, and youth, church, college, and professional choirs around the world. Kyle enjoys working at the intersection of the sacred and secular, and his lyrics and music invite the choir and audience to be agents of hope, grace, and compassion in the world. Kyle has an undergraduate degree from Augustana University, a Masters Degree in Education from University of St. Thomas, and an MFA in Music Composition from Vermont College of Fine Art. His work is published by Walton, Santa Barbara, Galaxy, Morningstar, Alfred, Hal Leonard, Beckenhorst, Gentry, Hinshaw, and Carl Fischer music publishers. Additional information and links to Kyle’s music can be found at kylepederson.com.
Choral Awards and Residencies
ACDA Genesis Prize, 2020, Winner
The American Prize Choral Composition, 2019, Winner
Composer in Residence for The Wartburg Choir, directed by Dr. Lee Nelson, 2019-2021
Composer in Residence for VocalEssence Singers of This Age, Mpls, MN, directed by Phillip Shoultz, 2020-2023
Composer in Residence for Mahtomedi Schools, MN, 2019-2020
Sampling of Recent Commissions
A Vision Unfolding 2022/23 (extended work for SATB choir with piano, violin, snare drum, trumpet, and spoken word); Co-commissioned:
Florida State University and Festival Singers of Florida, directed by Dr. Kevin Fenton; Tennessee Tech University, directed by Dr. Craig Zamer; University of Dayton, directed by Dr. Steven Hankle; Northwest Missouri State University, directed by Dr. Adam Zrust; University of Mississippi, directed by Dr. Donald Trott; VocalEssence, directed by Philip Brunelle and G. Phillip Shoultz, III
Carnegie Hall, National Concerts, directed by Dr. Lee Nelson and Dr. Jamie Spillane, upcoming commission and residency, 2024
Transept, directed by Dr. Timothy Campbell, upcoming commission, residency, and recording, 2023/24
AMIS International High School Honors Choir, SATB, commission, 2022
For This Mountain Will Remain and Ahlan wa Sahlan
Augustana University, directed by Dr. Paul Nesheim, commission 2022
For Big House (SATB with piano, bass, drums, and sax) in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Augustana Choir
MN-ACDA All State SSAA Choir, commission, 2021
For Does the World Say, premiered 2021
Three Rivers Conference Honors Choir, Southeast Minnesota, commission, 2022
For People Get Ready (SATB with piano)
Master Singers of Eau Claire WI, directed by Dr. Gary Schwartzhoff, commissions 2021-22
For Sing We Now of Christmas (SATB with piano and oboe) and Still I Sing Alleluia (SATB with piano)
The Wartburg Choir, directed by Dr. Lee Nelson, commissions 2019-2022
For Choose Love (SATB with piano and hand pan), My King is Comin’ Soon (SATB a cappella), Soon We Will Be Done (SATB with piano)
VocalEssence Singers of This Age, directed by G. Phillip Shoultz, III (2021-2023)
For The Other Side (SATB with piano and spoken word) and Sing Change (SATB with piano)
Roosevelt High School, directed by Robyn Starks Holcomb, Sioux Falls, SD, commissions, 2019 and 2020
For Choked Air (SATB with piano) and The World Will See (SATB with piano)
First United Methodist Church of Sioux Falls, SD, directed by Kelby Fode, commission 2021
For A New Jerusalem Arise (SATB with piano, organ, handbells, drum, cello)
Ithaca Choral Composition Competition, 2019, Finalist
For Bend, SATB a cappella and Heartbeat, SATB with piano and djembe
Minnesota Valley Men’s Chorale, directed by Steven Boehlke, commission, 2019
For Amen, Let it be So (TTBB with piano)
Minnesota Valley Women’s Chorale, directed by Judy Sagen, commission, 2019
For First Cradle (SSAA with piano and cello)
First Plymouth Congregational Church, directed by Tom Trenney, commission, 2019
For Micah Blues, SATB with piano and saxophone, premiered in 2020
Choral Arts Initiative, directed by Brandon Elliot, commission, 2018
For Remember the Children, SATB, piano and drum accompaniment
TAISM International High School Choral Festival, commission, 2018
For Hands are Knockin', These Hands Know a Better Way, and Silver Linings, SATB, piano accompaniment
Lakeville High School Men's Chorus, directed by Jamye Casperson, commission, 2018
For Bringers of Noise, TB with piano and taiko drums
Beau Chant, directed by Dione Peterson, commissions, 2017 & 2021
For Repeat the Joy, SATB with piano, premiered at the MN ACDA convention and When Christmas Morn is Dawning (various settings)
Little Singers of Armenia Choral Competition, Winner, 2016
For Psallite, SSAA, a cappella
Cerddorion Emerging Composers Choral Competition (NYC), 2nd Place, 2016
For Stars, SATB, a cappella
TAISM International High School Choral Festival, commission, 2015
For Kooloona Wahed, SATB, piano accompaniment
What others are saying about Kyle
American Prize (for award-winning portfolio of pieces):
“Evocative use of harmony, melody, rhythm and texture. Incredibly nuanced variety and balance...with great sense of pacing and idiomatic vocal lines. Inspirational, moving, and spiritual..”
Philip Spencer, founding conductor of International Lutheran Youth Choir:
“integrity of original text; independent yet supportive nature of the piano accompaniment; effective contrast of the second subject against the melody; and contemporary flavor of the choral writing, without sounding formulaic or derivative.”
Peter Clark, Bearded review
“12.25 is a beautifully simple record, yet the talents of Kyle Pederson turn it into an exquisite, spellbinding one. These new musical arrangements capture the heartbreaking sadness and desolation that some of these tracks encompass, and the skill to which the recordings are delivered show Kyle to be a master of his art.”
Alejandro Clavijo, Founder & Editor, Reviews New Age
“Since “December” by George Winston I have not heard those impossibly lovely chords sounding from a piano. Kyle has secured a revival of those moments but with his own character. He uses his abilities in the jazz field to “rework” the melodies of the most famous carols, and in doing so makes listening to them a continuous surprise and a true wonder.
Mainly Piano…Kathy Parsons
"The melodies are intact, but the stylings and instrumentation make them sound original and contemporary without changing the spiritual quality of the songs. I was enchanted by this album the first time I listened to it, and my appreciation of it continues to grow. The gorgeous, flowing arrangements create an exquisite listening experience whether or not you are looking for hymns to listen to. The music is graceful, soothing, and warmly inviting – a breathtaking treat for the ears, soul, and spirit!"
High school singers from TAISM International choral festival:
* You have universes in your mind. Shaikha
* Thank you so much for giving us a spark to bring more light into this world. Sara H.
* Thank you for your beautiful contribution to our lives with Kooloona Wahed. I loved the rich meaning and the chance to sing the low notes. I hope you continue to inspire the world with your work. Ethan B.
Kyle’s wife:
“Something sounded funny there.”
Kyle’s kiddos:
“Daddy, scoot over...I wanna play now.”