Meet Michael
My journey has taken me to both the most beautiful summits and the deepest, darkest of valleys.
Yet people have told me time and again that my music speaks to them.
What transition can we sing about? What joy? What celebration? What sorrow? Can our music subvert the given narrative? Can our song persevere? Can we triumph?
Full Biography
Michael Bussewitz-Quarm is a composer whose choral music engages with pressing social and environmental issues. Her work addresses topics ranging from coral reef conservation to gun violence and the global refugee crisis. An active advocate for the transgender community, she aims to foster understanding through guest speaking engagements and artistic collaboration.
Winner of The American Prize in Choral Composition in 2021, Bussewitz-Quarm's works are performed by leading professional and educational choral ensembles across North America. Notable performances include her Carnegie Hall debut of "Where We Find Ourselves," the west coast premiere of "The Unarmed Child" by Eugene Concert Choir and Orchestra, "I'll Fly Away" at the International Society of Contemporary Music's New Music Days in Vancouver, and "Nigra Sum" performed by The Duke University Chorale on their California tour.
Her compositions have been featured on Public Radio East, KMUZ, and WCPE, with performances by ensembles such as Singers of New and Ancient Music, musica intima, the Gregg Smith Singers, and the Esoterics. While most of her work is self-published through MB Arts, she also has several publications with Peermusic Classical and Hal Leonard.
Current projects include "Peacebomb," a collaboration with lyricist Anthony Silvestri, Mine Advisory Group of Washington D.C., and Article 22; "Buufis," a choral consortium work inspired by Ben Rawlence's "City of Thorns" with lyricist Euan Tait; and "US," a new work for Sing Democracy 250, a nationwide choral initiative celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
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Bookings:
To book, contact Michael through email at listenafresh@gmail.com or through Michael’s Contact Page.
