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The Polish-American composer, conductor and music educator, Martin Sędek, was born in Germany and raised in Poland and the USA. He is an award-winning voice in the world of choral and orchestral music, educated at Berklee College of Music in Boston (Bachelor Music degree), Montclair State University (Master of Music degree), and Rutgers University (PhD degree). He has studied composition with Tarik O'Regan, Robert Aldridge, and Matthew Harris, with additional studies with Steven Stucky, Chen Yi, and Steven Sametz; conducting with David Callahan and Julius Williams, with additional studies with William Weinert and Craig Hella Johnson.
Described as "a formidable new composer" by the Worcester Telegram, Martin Sędek is an award-winning voice in the world of choral and orchestral music. He is Composer-in-Residence at Harmonium Choral Society & The Baldwin Festival Chorus of NYC and is currently the Music Director and Conductor of Choral Art Society of New Jersey. In 2024 he was named the fifth Music Director and Conductor of The Masterwork Chorus, most well-known for its 65-year history of Messiah performances in Carnegie Hall. He is also Founder Artistic Director of the professional chamber choir Vocala Ensemble. He was Visiting Professor of of Music Theory & Aural Skills and Elementary Conducting at Montclair State University's Cali School of Music (September 2011-May 2020), and is currently Director of Music & Arts Department Chair at Keio Academy of New York (since September 2018). He is also Director Of Music Ministry at St. Bernard’s Episcopal Church (since 2021).
Martin Sędek's music has been performed throughout the USA, Europe, and Africa and commissioned by professional ensembles around the USA. Notable composition awards include the Yale Glee Club Emerging Composer Award (2015) and the Stephen Paulus Prize (2018). He is a regular visiting lecturer in the collegiate composition studio throughout the USA and his works are published by Ovation Music & Hal Leonard. His recordings are available on the Albany and Ovation Music Media labels. He also hosts the music interview podcast "There Are No Jobs In Music?", available on all major streaming platforms. |
