For more music and information, please visit http://kevinkissinger.com .
Kevin Kissinger is a composer, synthesist, thereminist, and classically-trained pipe organist from Kansas City, Mo.
Best of 2006
Kevin's original composition Meteor Mallets for theremin and percussion (realized on Kevin's K2600 synth) was named the winner of Spellbound's Best Performance of 2006 in the neo-classical category.
In addition, Kevin's multi-track theremin rendition of the six voice Ricercare by J. S. Bach was nominated for Spellbound's Best Performance of 2006 in the classical category.
Theremin
Kevin is on the artist list for Cygnus Radio's internet Spellbound program -- the only program devoted to Theremin music. You are invited to visit Kevin's website http://kevinkissinger.com for mp3 and video downloads of theremin and synthesizer music by Kevin. The website is a work in progress, so feel free to visit every now and then.
Synthesizers and Electronics
Kevin's electronic music work started in the mid-70s when he built his first synthesizer: an Aries modular. Within a year of completing this synth, Kevin was in demand as a performer for art shows and synthesizer demos. Kevin joined the staff of the Charlie Parker Academy for the Arts and taught electronic music to high school students as part of the Lincoln Academy's Magnet School program. Kevin migrated to a digital/MIDI setup in the mid 80s.
Recording appearances
One of Kevin's unreleased tracks: "PCT 125" has been selected for inclusion on an upcoming compilation cd: the electronic bible Chapter 3 . This CD is being produced in the UK by White Label Recordings.
Kevin is a guest performer on a new song by David Vesel "I'll Still Be Here Tommorrow" to be released on David's latest cd: Your Mileage May Vary .
Classical Background
Kevin grew up in Kansas City's northland and studied piano with Nadene Rule and organ with Ellen Butler. Kevin majored in Organ Performance at the University of Missouri at Kansas City Conservatory of Music. During that time he studied pipe organ with Dr. James Evans. Besides the normal regimen of music theory and history, Kevin took additional studies in composition and counterpoint. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in 1981. In 1979 Kevin won the Missouri MTNA Collegiate Organ Competition, which was held in St. Louis, and in 1980 won the Greater Kansas City chapter of the American Guild of Organists student competition. In 1991 he earned the prestigious Associate American Guild of Organists (AAGO) certificate. A versatile musician, he is in demand as a recitalist and continues to play throughout the United States.
Other projects
Kevin has engineered and produced three cd's including the classical music CD "Sacred Music of Our Church" featuring the celebrated choir of Our Lady of Good Counsel Church. This CD, a fund-raiser, raised over $10,000 for the church's music program and is into its second run. Kevin has engineered and produced cd's for local performers in the folk/rock genre. Kevin also provided arrangements and synthesized tracks on the "Noah and His Friends" album (a cassette release) by Johnny Eager, a well-known jazz musician in the Kansas City area.
Kevin has produced four CD's of his own works that have not been released. Kevin plans to release CD's in the ambient and classical/minimalist influenced electronic genres.
keywords: synthesizer theremin pipe organ electronic classical experimental ambient umkc missouri conservatory