Kechley, David

b. March 16, 1947 - Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.


American composer. David Kechley received the Bachelors degree in 1970 from the University of Washington. He completed a Doctorate in Composition at the Cleveland Institute of Music in 1979 where his teachers included Paul Tufts, James Beale, Robert Suderburg, William Bergsma and Donald Erb. Kechley's work reflects a wide variety of musical experience from popular to serial music. In particular, the visual and spiritual impact of his visits to temples in Kyoto, Japan in 1990 have had a profound influence on his musical thinking. He has received grants from the NEA and a Fellowship from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. He is currently chairman of the Department.

Since the 1968 premiere of Second Composition for Large Orchestra by the Seattle Symphony, Kechley's compositions have been performed and/or commissioned by the Minnesota Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Boston Pops, Seattle Symphony, North Carolina Symphony, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Kronos Quartet, Lark Quartet, and a number of others. Kechley's works have also been featured at national and international conferences, including the Music Educators National Conference, American Harp Society, American Society of University Composers, College Music Society, World Saxophone Congress and New Music and Art Festival at Bowling Green State University.

His work has been recognized by prizes and awards including those from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Guggenheim Foundation. On the Faculty of Williams College since 1986, Kechley lives in Williamstown, Massachusetts with his wife and children.