Music at First Parish in Brookline
First Parish WELCOMES New CHOIR DIRECTOR
Pianist and composer Keith Kirchoff joins First Parish in Brookline as Choir Director this August. He holds both a Master of Music in piano performance (New England Conservatory of Music) and a Bachelor of Music in piano performance (University of Oregon—Eugene). He is a concert pianist, composer, private piano instructor, singer, and has over twelve years’ experience as a church musician. Keith has served as Assistant Choir Director, Choir Director/Organist, Service Accompanist, and Music Director and accompanist in local churches in Cambridge, Jamaica Plain and Watertown, as well as, in churches in Minneapolis, MN and Eugene, OR. Also, Mr. Kirchoff led four choirs as Liturgist, Accompanist, Cantor, and Music Director at St. Thomas More Newman Center Eugene, OR.
As a concert pianist, Keith has played in many of the United States’ largest cities, as well as major cities throughout Italy, Canada, Great Britain, and The Netherlands. As a strong supporter of modern music, Kirchoff has premiered over 100 new works and commissioned over a dozen compositions. He has appeared with orchestras throughout the U.S. performing a wide range of concerti, including the Boston premiere of Charles Ives’ Emerson Concerto and the world premier of Matthew McConnell’s Concerto for Toy Piano. With his highly unique lecture style integrated into his programs, Kirchoff strives to enhance the status of classical music in American culture, stressing the importance of modern music to keep the art alive and current.
His compositions include Only Temporary: seven sketches for organ, Songs of the City (soprano), 12 Holiday songs (mezzo-soprano), a Piano Sonata, Concerto for Piano, Sonatina: An Appalachian Folk Tale, and The Adventures of Norby (piano and electronics), and Doodles: five variations for solo tuba. The co-founder of the composer’s ensemble “Agenda,” he has also appeared with the Pittsburgh Consort, Boston’s premier modern music ensemble. He has recorded on the New World, Zerx, and SEAMUS labels and his first solo album, which features the solo piano music of Frederic Rzewski, will be released soon on Bridge Records.
To learn more about our new Choir Director, visit his website at www.keithkirchoff.com
Adult Choir, Keith Kirchoff, Director
The Choir at First Parish is open to all who want to raise their voice in the spirit of love and community. The choir sings at virtually every worship service from September to June and occasionally at special services and other church events. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays 7:30-9:00 and Sundays 9:30-10:30. If you're interested in joining the choir, please speak with the Director.
For more information, view the Choir Guide (PDF)