biography

Trevor Siemens (b. 1968) originally studied Science, followed by Medicine at the University of Manitoba before going on to study music at McGill University in Montréal, Québec. At McGill, he studied composition with John Rea and Denys Bouliane, and voice with Jan Simons.

A passion for music theatre brought him to Manchester to study composition with John Casken. In 2008, he was awarded a PhD from the University of Bristol, where he studied with Geoff Poole.

Much of his music draws upon a medieval European tradition that is transformed through gestures that explore the spectral properties of the sound. He has composed and written the librettos for two chamber operas, as well as works for ensemble, choir, orchestra and sound installation. At the 2005 Ostrava Days (Czech Republic) his work was described as “a quiet music that contains both violence and beauty”.

Trevor's compositions have been performed in the UK, Europe and Canada by various ensembles including Psappha, De Ereprijs, the New Music Players, and Ostrava Banda.

Trevor currently lives in the countryside outside Manchester with his wife and four children.