Composer & Pianist
Keane Southard is a composer and pianist who believes deeply in the power of music to inspire positive change in the world. His music reflects his diverse musical tastes from medieval chant to 70's rock, Bach to the Blues, and 19th-century romanticism to Latin dances.
“A terrific discovery...”
“A hugely prolific musician with a wide variety of skill sets...”
Requiem for Animals
Commissioned by the Brattleboro Music Center and premiered by the Brattleboro Concert Choir, Requiem for Animals for SATB Choir and String Orchestra was composed to commemorate the billions of animals, wildlife and farmed animals, who die each year. While many beautiful requiem settings have been created by composers like Mozart, Faure, and Verdi, these have always been for the loss of human life. I thought it was certainly time that animals were memorialized in a requiem as well. My goals in composing this work were to use the emotional power of music to help us lament the loss of animal life, to feel its magnitude, and for us to reconsider humankind's role in this suffering and how it affects both the animals and ourselves.
Premiered May 17 and 18, 2025 at Persons Auditorium, Marlboro, VT
The work is emotionally challenging, but it ends with hope and optimism for a better future. It was a certainly challenge for the choir, both musically and in terms of the subject matter, but even though some singers initially had reservations about singing it, the entire choir came to realize the importance of singing and sharing this message and gave a wonderful and deeply moving performance. I have been so pleased with the positive responses and reflections I have received from singers and audience members.
Learn more about the Requiem for Animals