Te Deum is thrilled to welcome Vermont-based composer and pianist Keane Southard as 2025–26 Composer-in-Residence.
Described as “a hugely prolific musician with a wide variety of skill sets” (newmusicbuff.com), Keane Southard (b. 1987) is a composer and pianist who believes deeply in the power of music to inspire positive change in the world. Compositions illustrating this belief include ones that advocate for nonviolence (Where Do We Go from Here?) environmental conservation (An Appalachian Trail Symphony: New England), and positive social change (Do You Hear How Many You Are?). Proclaimed as “a terrific discovery” (Bandworld Magazine) and “highly-professional and well-orchestrated” (Portland Press Herald), Keane’s music features a wide range of styles and approaches from traditional to experimental, systematic to free, and sacred to secular.
Keane will create two (2) compositions for Te Deum for the 2025–26 season. Premiere dates will be announced soon!
Learn more about Keane Southard
Keane has been a recipient of many awards, most recently a residency at the Copland House and winner of the St. Christopher Chamber Orchestra Third International Composer Competition (Lithuania). He has been a fellow at the INK STILL WET composer/conductor workshop at the Grafenegg Festival (Austria), the Intimacy of Creativity (Hong Kong), and the Bennington Chamber Music Conference. As a Fulbright Scholar, Keane conducted research on music education in Brazil and has also taught at Bennington College and Nazareth College. He earned his Ph.D. in composition from the Eastman School of Music.
