About.

Graeme Shields is a Canadian-American composer and organist whose influences range from the Lutheran music tradition to the experimental confidence of the avant-garde. His compositions, often exercises in dry humour and eccentricity, aim to articulate the mysteries of the past, the spirit, and the unknown. His music features repetition, audible process, stark juxtaposition, theatrical elements, and a bricolage approach to harmonic language. Through these features and influences, he has generated a body of work that breathes new life into ancient elements like old-world folk tunes and extinct pagan rituals.

Graeme’s music has been performed across the United States, Canada, Finland, Costa Rica, and Russia at events such as Florida State University’s New Music Festival, Greenlight New Music Festival, and the Silver Sounds International Chamber Music Competition. His work has been recognized by the Kennedy Center’s American College Theater Festival and the Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra. He has also enjoyed artist residencies at Warbler’s Roost in South River, ON and Azule in Hot Springs, NC.

As an organist, Graeme is an avid supporter of new music for the instrument. He challenges the idea that the organ is only a church instrument, instead advocating instead that it is multi-faceted and ripe for exploration in all musical realms. He strives to always include an interactive educational facet in his events, often going beyond pre- or post-concert talks and invites audiences up to the console to explore the instrument, look at scores, and ask questions. He is the co-founder of Vital Organ Project (VOP): a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that facilitates the creation, education, and performance of new music featuring the abilities and distinction of the pipe organ. Through concerts of modern repertoire and ongoing premieres of new works, VOP showcases the true versatility of the organ and its relevance to the 21st century. Since its inception in 2017, VOP has been the catalyst for over 25 world and US premieres and 30 concert events across the U.S. and Canada. 

Graeme is an active member of the American Guild of Organists, having served on the boards of the Southwest Michigan Chapter (sub-dean) and the Fox Valley Chapter. He has also served as a board member of the American Center of Church Music. These relationships have fruited in many ways, including his 8-hour performance of John Cage’s Organ2/ASLSP, his work showcasing an Orgelkids instrument across Michigan, and his organizing of composition competitions and commissioning new works.

As a church musician, Graeme has extensive experience providing music for Lutheran, Episcopal, Methodist, and Presbyterian congregations and has held rewarding positions in Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, and Illinois, including Organ Scholar at Calvary Episcopal in Cincinnati where he had the privilege to work with composer-organist Howard Helvey. As an accompanist, he has played with a variety of ensembles such as the St. Charles Singers (positive organ), Western Michigan University’s Collegium Musicum (harpsichord), and the Turkish American Musical Theatre Alliance (piano) for which he traveled to Istanbul in 2013. He currently serves as the Director of Music Ministries at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Hinsdale, IL where he directs an adult choir, handbell ensemble, and children’s choir. 

Graeme holds degrees from Western Michigan University and the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Primary teachers have included Christopher Biggs, Lisa Coons, and Justin Rubin. 

When he’s not composing or performing, Graeme loves to draw and watch movies. He lives in Oak Park, IL with his wife Gaby, and their dog and rabbit, Nellie and Nora.