Shawn Kirchner (b.1970) is a composer and songwriter active in the musical circles of Los Angeles.  His choral compositions are performed throughout the United States and abroad in concert halls, churches, schools, and on radio, television (and YouTube!).  He is best known for his arrangement of the Kenyan song Wana Baraka.  One of his recent compositions, Tu Voz, a choral setting of a sonnet by Pablo Neruda, was premiered at Los Angeles’ Disney Hall in May 2007, and was commissioned by the Los Angeles Master Chorale.  In addition to composing, songwriting has become a career focus for Kirchner in recent years.  His songs combine emotional warmth with carefully crafted lyrics, and are written in a range of styles including bluegrass, folk, country, gospel and jazz. 

Shawn Kirchner also maintains an active performing career as a singer and pianist.  A member of the Los Angeles Master Chorale, he sings regularly with the Chorale and the Los Angeles Philharmonic at Disney Hall and at the Hollywood Bowl.  Under the Master Chorale’s music director Grant Gershon, he has sung in several collaborations with Steve Reich, including two recordings for Nonesuch Records and a performance at Lincoln Center in honor of the composer’s 70th birthday.  Although primarily a choral singer, his solo work includes a collaboration with Meredith Monk, and a recent appearance at Disney Hall as a tenor soloist in Ariel Ramirez’ Missa Criolla.  His work as a pianist includes performances with the Master Chorale at Disney Hall and free-lance work as a session player.  Before moving to the Los Angeles area, he was a vocal coach/pianist in Chicago, and played for Neil Rosenshein’s studio at the Lyric Opera’s Center for American Artists.  Initially trained in classical music, his improvisational skills now encompass many styles.