I’m Briggs Kennedy. I write music to tell stories.
I grew up around music, primarily musical theatre, but after hearing works like Luciano Berio’s Sinfonia, Jake Heggie’s Dead Man Walking, and Osvaldo Golijov’s Azul, my playlists quickly shifted.
In the early 2000s I altered the course of my studies from music education to music composition. After graduating with a Masters of Music Composition, two years teaching music at the middle school level confirmed I did not want my career to be in education. I spent the next several years running a performing arts podcast, bouncing around Europe at various summer workshops, and creating opportunities for new music performance in Phoenix, AZ. I ended up in nonprofit administration which lead me this current stage in life as a composer and grant writer. I’ve ended up exactly where I want to be: creating and sharing new music.
3rd Annual OME New Music Festival, 2016, Mesa Arts Center (Mesa, AZ) Photo credit: Briggs Kennedy
New Music in Phoenix
In 2013, I was a vocalist in a production of Steve Reich’s Music for 18 Musicians. This piece is a trial of endurance. The hours of group rehearsal and three performances were nothing other than a bonding experience. After our final note, I looked around and realized I didn’t know when we would all get together and make this type of music again. So I asked, “If I put together a marathon concert*, would anyone like to perform?” The answer was, “YES.“
In February, 2014, at The Trunk Space in Phoenix, AZ, Oh My Ears came to life. OME is a new music presenting nonprofit and is still going strong. I hope to see you at one of our concerts soon!
*marathon concert = extra long concert, similar to a movie marathon
Look & Listen
Treasure Hunt
Back in school, at the dawn of iPods, I would rummage through my university library’s CDs for anything odd or interesting I could rip and play on repeat. I first heard some of my favorite composers this way. I’ve had headphones on since kindergarten with the thanks of the Walkman and things still haven’t changed. I’m always on the hunt for a piece or a composer I’m going to enjoy and share.
This is why I’ve started curating and sending playlists every week. I want to make sure you know about the beautiful and brain-tingling music I’m currently listening to. And maybe find your new favorite music maker.
Flute & Performance
I’ve played the flute for 25+ years and still perform with bands in Phoenix and with the Composers Improvisors Big Band (CIBB) at Paradise Valley Community College.
Below are a few of the albums I’ve had the privilege of performing on.
If you are interested in having flute on an upcoming performance or as an addition on a recording, please reach out.
Info for Presenters
Short Bio
Briggs Kennedy (b. 1984) is an internationally performed and award-winning composer based in Phoenix, AZ. They founded Oh My Ears, a new music presenting organization, in 2014, and currently serve as Co-Director of Institutional Advancement. Briggs also plays the flute and enjoys spending time with their two dogs, Lore (named after Laurie Anderson) and Wilson.
Photos
Long Bio
Briggs Kennedy (b. 1984) is an internationally performed and award-winning composer based in Phoenix, AZ. They have a Masters of Music Composition from Arizona State University where they studied with Roshanne Etezady, Rodney Rogers, and Glenn Hackbarth. Briggs has also studied with Gabriella Lena Frank, Forest Pierce, Christopher Theofanidis, Scott McAllister, Paul Moravec, Ken Ueno, and Marilyn Shrude.
Briggs’ works have been heard at the Waterloo Regional Contemporary Music Sessions (Canada), Toronto Creative Music Lab (Canada), 2016 and 2018 Cabrillo Festivals, Rhymes with Opera Chamber Music Workshop, Bang on a Can Summer Music Festival, 2012 and 2013 soundSCAPE Festivals, Cortana Sessions for New Music, highSCORE festival, UNK New Music Festival, Carlsbad Music Festival, Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival (as part of Composing in the Wilderness), and the Downtown Chamber Series. Their works have been performed by the Driftwood Quintet, Bergamot String Quartet, Burn City String Quartet, Isabelle O’Connell, Robin Meiksins, Robert Simonds, among others. Several of their works have been heard on Pushing the Envelope (WHUS).
Briggs is the winner of the AZ Centennial Composer Competition (Judges’ Award, 2012) and the 2009 winner of the Cambridge Chamber Singers’ Annual Choral Composition Competition. Briggs is a Millay Arts resident.
As a flute player, Briggs specializes in improvisational works and performs with bands and ensembles in Phoenix, AZ. Currently they perform with the OME Staff Ensemble and with the Composers Improvisors Big Band (CIBB) at Paradise Valley Community College.
They founded Oh My Ears, a new music presenting organization, in 2014, and currently serve as Co-Director of Institutional Advancement. Briggs also enjoys spending time with their two rescue dogs, Lore (named after Laurie Anderson) and Wilson.
Work with Me
Commissioning
Do you want to commission a piece for you or your ensemble? Interested in starting or joining consortium or joining my beta reader list? Would you like to fund a commission as an individual donor or host a concert?
Grant Writing/Consulting
I have 8+ years of experience writing state, local, & private foundation grants. I have 2 years federal grant consulting experience. My specialty is introducing small nonprofits to the world of grant writing & grant management.