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Darren Schmidt is an emerging composer from Baltimore, MD and a recent graduate of Towson University. The music he loves most is the kind that meets people where they are. Schmidt's first ever piece for band, "Lux In Tenebris Lucet" (Light Shines In the Darkness), drew from his own struggle with depression and has gone on to receive national recognition. It is a prime example of the power that comes from the synergy of music and emotion. Schmidt also believes in the power of words to confront people about the things that are of utmost importance; for a recent commission by The Maryland State Boychoir (in which he spent 10 years as a chorister), Schmidt dedicated his setting of "Set Me as a Seal" to the memory of fellow choir member, Maxwell Landbeck, who died just days before his 21st birthday. The final words "love is strong as death" take on a new meaning as Schmidt mourns the loss of his friend who without fail brought joy and laughter -as well as an occasional headache- to everyone he met. Although (fortunately) not all of Schmidt's work is so dark, he is committed to not shy away from speaking to the things that really matter, even if it is painful at times.
In addition to composing, Schmidt is an active performer of Barbershop music with his quartet Pratt Street Power and chorus Parkside Harmony. He also serves as the music chair and manager for Quorus (a chamber men's choir that performs without a conductor), and plays F Horn in the Maryland Military Band. He is a member of ASCAP, ACDA, and BHS. |
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Upcoming Performances:
-April 8, Encore Wind Ensemble performs Lux In Tenebris Lucet -April 22, Hunt Valley Wind Ensemble premiere, Anagennao (born anew) -April 22, Maryland State Boychoir premiere, Set Me as a Seal -May 5 & 6, Chorus Austin performs Set Me as a Seal -May 13, St. Davids performs Magnificat & Nunc Dimitis -July 10, Quorus performs Old Alberto's Daughter |
Current projects:
-Commission by Mt. Calvary Church -Setting of original poem, Open Your Eyes |
Other recent projects:
-A Christmas Carol (for Quorus) -St. Joseph (for Quorus & St. Joseph Parish choir) -Anthem for Uncertain Times (for SATB & piano, unperformed) -Magnificat & Nunc Dimitis, Commissioned by St. Davids Episcopal Church, Douglas Buchanan -Old Alberto's Daughter, Commissioned by Quorus |
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Composition Awards:
Set Me as a Seal (SATB a cappella) -Chorus Austin 2018 Young Composer Competition Lux In Tenebris Lucet (Light Shines in the Darkness), for Symphonic Band -2017/18 Charles B. Olson Competition -2nd Runner-Up: National Band Association Young Composer Mentor Project (2017) Wessobrunn Prayer (SATB a capella) -2015/16 Carl Orff Competition (1st Prize), held in Munich, Germany. Epilogue (brass quintet) -2015 Talent Award for Composition from Towson University Performance Awards:
Pratt Street Power -2018 International 12th place quartet -2017 Dealers Choice Award, 18th place quartet (adult division) -2016 International Youth Barbershop Quartet Champions Parkside Harmony -2018 International 3rd Place Chorus -2016 & 2017 Mid-Atlantic District Chorus Champions -2017 International 5th Place Chorus Solo voice (baritone) -3rd place, 2015 Peggy-Friedman Gordon competition, Towson University |
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Towson University COFAC Article
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