Kurt Erickson currently serves as the composer-in-residence with San Francisco’s LIEDER ALIVE!, where his compositions are premiered by leading singers and instrumentalists. His music has been commissioned and performed by a wide range of ensembles – recent projects include a new commissioned work for the Berkeley Community Chorus & Orchestra’s 50th Anniversary Season, a work for soprano and orchestra to be performed across the country during the 2017-18 season, and multiple commissioned vocal work performances on the LIEDER ALIVE! subscription concert series. While in his twenties, Mr. Erickson began a series of unique multi-year composer residencies, the first at San Francisco’s Grace Cathedral (1999-2000) followed shortly thereafter at The National Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi (2001-2003). Erickson has worked extensively with San Francisco Ballet Master Lawrence Pech, and his works have been broadcast nationally on syndicated radio programs and performed in leading concert halls. Mr. Erickson frequently serves as a guest composer and speaker at colleges and universities across the country. His music has been described as “innovative,” (New York Times), “poetic” (Sacramento Bee), “show stopping” (SF Classical Voice) and “gripping” (San Francisco Chronicle).