Musicologist, Composer, Author, Instructor - Interests in Medieval / Middle Eastern Music, Esoteric Symbolism in Mozart/Da Ponte Opera, Timbres of the Electric Bass

K. Christian McGuire (b. 1970) is an internationally recognized early music scholar for his work on the liturgical chant of Hildegard von Bingen. He is a Saint Paul based instructor, composer, author, carpenter, electric bassist and musicologist. He holds a Master of Arts in Musicology from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Arts (1992) in Philosophy with a minor in Latin and Ancient Greek from Luther College in Decorah, IA

His diverse research interests include: 12th Century liturgical practices, theory, and notation of Northern Germany and the Low Countries; Mozart Opera; History, Performance, and Orchestral Timbres of the Electric Bass; and Late 1960s/early 1970s Heavy Blues and Progressive Rock.

Christian has been an instructor of Music History at the McNally-Smith College Music in St. Paul, MN since 2005 and was on the team that co-developed the NASM approved Music History sequence for the baccalaureate programs there.

Christian is also a faculty member at Augsburg College in Minneapolis, MN where he teaches music history & music fundamentals and directs small group ensembles. He recently earned the electric bass instructor position and is developing the repertoire for the instrument to support Augsburg's fledgling specialization in electric bass major.

Since 2004, he has served the Minnesota High School Music Listening Contest board as musicologist, authoring the 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2007-08 study guides, as well as compiling and editing the guide for 2006-07.

An electric bassist for nearly 25 years with experience in every conceivable setting, Christian is currently writing a book / multi-media manual on the history, performance practice, technique and repertoire of the electric bass in non-popular music genres. The work promises to be the one stop source for composers and performers who wish to incorporate the many timbres of this remarkable instrument.

Websites:
http://www.musiclisteningcontest.org/h_kcmcguire2004.html
http://www.myspace.com/christianmcguire

http://www.activebass.com/members/christianmcguire/
http://www2.bitstream.net/~jaro/index.html
http://www.grianeala.com

I compose to suit the interests and abilities of the artist.

Symphonia Caritatis: The Cistercian Chants of Hildegard von Bingen (MA Thesis) http://www.musiclisteningcontest.org/h_kcmcguire_Symphonia_Caritatis_2007.htm

Minnesota High School Listening Contest Study Guides (2007-08; 2005-06), audio script and exams, Author and Host. with three audio CDs, engineered in home studio.

2004-2005 Minnesota High School Listening Contest Study Guide, audio script and exams, Author. 102 single-spaced pages with three audio CDs, engineered at McNally-Smith College of Music and personal studio. Hosted by Steve Seel from MPR.

http://www.musiclisteningcontest.org

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Transcriptions & Recordings from Hildegard's Dendermonde Codex, the Cistercian antiphons and responsories from Paris Bibl. MS 1411

I Know (2003) - SSA for Jr. High Girls Choir
Beautiful Flora (2003) - SATB for Jr. High Madrigal Choir