This work is a commentary on some of the problematic programming visible in the classical world that favours one demographic over all the others.

On the recording - Guitar: Kendra Harder

Sea of Dead White Men

Sea of Dead White Men (classical guitar)

A MIDI mock up of my wind band work, Oostende, that was created through a PWYC Commission Consortium. Oostende is inspired by a unique bird call I heard on my travels in Oostende, Belgium.

Written for wind band, Level 3+

Oostende - MIDI mock up (wind band, level 3+)

Silver Linings
Libretto by Christine Parcells
Art song created through a PWYC Commission Consortium 2021

On the recording:
Danielle Strong (soprano)
Matthew Praksas (piano)

Silver Linings (soprano and piano)

Felix Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64 arranged for Big Band by Kendra Harder

Performed by Footnotes Big Band at Winterruption 2024, featuring solos by Aaron Salkeld (alto saxophone) and Brett Graham (vibraphone)

The Footnotes Big Band:
Aaron Salkeld (alto 1), Julia MacPherson (alto 2), Connor Denomy (tenor 1), Jesse Koethler (tenor 2), Jude Leschyshyn (bari), Aaron Bueckert (trumpet 1), Colin Grant (trumpet 2), Ciel Butler (trumpet 3), David Snell (trumpet 4), Tiess McKenzie (trombone 1), Kathleen Morton (trombone 2), Libbie Smith (trombone 3), Mitchell Theriau (trombone 4), Spencer Krips (bass trombone), Everett Schwab (guitar), Brett Graham (vibes), Matthew Arsenault (piano), Rhett Schroeder (bass), Eric Redekopp (drums)

Composition Performance Archives

Opus 64 (big band)

Message in the Snow
Libretto and Music by Kendra Harder

Kendra Harder (contralto), Matthew Praksas (piano)

Compositions - Solo Movements

Message in the Snow (contralto, piano)

Premiere of my song cycle "Newly Out" at the Saskatoon Opera's Summer Proms Concert, August 7, 2024. 

Performing: Oli Guselle (they/them) (contralto), Matthew Praksas (he/him) (piano)
Music and libretto by Kendra Harder (she/hers)

3 movements: i. A smile and an 'x'  ii. There's so much more to her  iii. A swing and a bunt

This song cycle was created through the Canadian Art Song Project's Chung-Wai Chow and John Wright Art Song Mentorship Program.

Newly Out - Premiere (contralto, piano)

This is a 12-tone piece for classical guitar.  It all began with an afternoon Babbit square, and then resulted in this. 

Guitar - Kendra Harder

Babbit (classical guitar)

"Bitter Suite" fifth movement from song cycle, Myriads.
Text by Kendra Harder
Mezzo-soprano - Erica McFadden; Piano - Matthew Praksas; Guitar - Kendra Harder
Live performance at the Emerging Composers Masterclass at the Strata Festival of New Music 2016 at the SSO Rehearsal Space, Saskatoon, SK.

Bitter Suite (Myriads) (mezzo-soprano, guitar, piano)

From "Orpheus and Eurydice...ish"
Libretto by Michelle Telford and Kendra Harder

Camille Holland (soprano), Brenda Moats (flute), Erin Brophey (oboe), Alyssa Thompson (clarinet), Gerard Weber (alto saxophone), Stephanie Unverricht (bassoon), Arlene Shiplet (horn), Noami Suchan (piano)
Conducted by Paul Suchan
Performed at the Strata Festival of New Music 2017 in Convocation Hall, Saskatoon, SK.

Note: two other versions of this work exist. 1) Soprano and piano 2) Soprano and wind octet
Contact me for more information.

Orpheus and Eurydice...ish

How Can He Live Without His Euridice (Orphues and Eurydice...ish) (soprano, wind septet and piano)

"Take it to Tumblr" from Book of Faces
Libretto by Michelle Telford
*note - mature content*
Rachel (soprano) - Carol-Anne Roussel; piano and music director - Jennifer Szeto
Performed at the Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion in Haliburton, ON as part of the Highlands Opera Studio, directed by Jessica Derventzis
Live recording from August 15, 2019

composition submissions

Take it to Tumblr (Book of Faces) (soprano and piano)

Oboe - Erin Brophey; Bassoon - Stephanie Unverreight; Double Bass - Richard Carnegie
Performed at Convocation Hall in Saskatoon, SK as part of the SSO Sunday Chamber Music Series on May 12, 2019

Trio for Oboe, Bassoon, and Double Bass

"I Purchased a Car" from Book of Faces
Libretto by Michelle Telford
Stephanie (mezzo-soprano) - Megan Quick; piano and music director - Jennifer Szeto
Performed at the Northern Lights Performing Arts Pavilion in Haliburton, ON as part of the Highlands Opera Studio, directed by Jessica Derventzis
Live recording from August 15, 2019

Book of Faces

I Purchased a Car (Book of Faces) (mezzo-soprano and piano)

queer composer, arranger, and guitarist | working on treaty 6

Kendra Harder

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