Shawn Kirchner

This week on Moveable Do, Steve wraps up Season 9 with acclaimed composer, arranger, and performer Shawn Kirchner. Known for his soaring melodies and genre-blending choral writing, Shawn’s music has become a favorite of ensembles worldwide. From setting Plath and Neruda to singing on soundtracks like La-La Land and Avatar, Shawn’s creative life bridges the sacred, poetic, and cinematic.

In this episode, Shawn shares stories from his Iowa upbringing as a triplet, the journey that brought him to Los Angeles, and his rich musical life as a session singer, church musician, and composer. We dive into his creative process, his love for poetry and folk traditions, and large-scale works like The Light of Hope Returning. Plus—hear what vegetable might inspire his next choral piece!

Pieces featured on this episode:

• Tulips (from Plath Songs)

• The Light of Hope Returning (excerpts: Joyous Welcome, Coventry Carol, Little Rose)

• Bright Angels Bless Thy Name (from his Bluegrass Mass)

• Brightest and Best

For more about Shawn Kirchner and his music, visit shawnkirchner.com. For the full archive of Moveable Do episodes, head to MoveableDo.com.

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