Margaret Fairlie-Kennedy

Atlanta-born Margaret Fairlie-Kennedy (b. 1925) has been commissioned by many contemporary dance companies and chamber groups, and worked with noted choreographers Takehiro Ueyama in New York, Bill Bayles at Bennington College, and Peggy Lawler at Cornell University. Her has a strong rhythmic drive at its core.

She also composes for piano, voice, orchestra, and mixed media. She was Composer in Residence for Dance and Theater Arts at Bennington College and Cornell University.

Awards and Grants include the NEA and NEH Endowments, Georgia Commission on the Arts, “Meet the Composer” Grants and the Cornell Council for Creative and Performing Arts. She was a winner in the Philadelphia Classical Symphony/Maxfield Parrish and Women Composers’ Showcase, New Jersey City University competitions.

Commissions include the Walker Art Center, Cornell Theater Arts Dept., several choreographers and commissions for the 20th and 21st century works. Performances include the Alabama Symphony, Atlanta String Quartet and Relache Ensemble; venues at Eastman School of music, Carnegie Weill Recital Hall, Bowling Green College of Musical Arts Festival,’05. Her works were performed in Paris, Upsala and Beijing. She is published by ACA, in the SCI Journal of Music Scores, and EC Schirmer Publishing. CDs are Capstone and Euterpe labels. Fairlie-Kennedy is a member of ACA, SCI, NYWC, IAWM, NYCC and BMI.

Reviewers have commented: “Expressive use of a 12 tone row…eloquence and energy… atmospheric and dreamy” N.Y. Times. “extended the usual sonorities of the instruments… its emotional focus was strong and the expressive range of the instruments spoke well for the composer’s gift.” Philadelphia Inquirer: “Mr. Ueyama’s opening dance was set to urgent and atmospheric music by Margaret Fairlie-Kennedy” N.Y. Times Dance Review. ’05.