Martha Helen Schmidt

Composer

Years at Source: 2016, 2018
Biography: Martha Helen Schmidt is a composer from Minneapolis, Minnesota. She has taught piano, flute, voice, and theory/composition at the elementary, secondary, and college levels. She recently retired from a teaching career to further her passion for composing. Ms. Schmidt holds music degrees from Lawrence University Conservatory of Music and Ithaca College. She had the great privilege of studying with one of the finest teachers of the 20th century, Nadia Boulanger, at the Conservatoire Américain in Fontainebleau, France. While there, she also studied with Louise Talma and Annette Dieudonne. Other composition teachers include James Ming, Libby Larsen, and Pulitzer Prize winners Steven Stucky and Karel Husa.

Ms. Schmidt has found her passion lies in writing Art Songs and song cycles. Her song cycle “I Open and Fill with Love,” is her second set of songs based on the poetry of Rumi. It was highly received at its premiere in Paris and Fontainebleau, France including a performance at the 90th Anniversary Jubilee of the Conservatoire Américain. Ms. Schmidt has choral octavos published by the Theodore Presser Company and self publishes most of her works. "
Website: www.marthahelenschmidt.com
Source Moment: The best memories and experiences about the Source Song Festival are the people! Thank you Clara and Mark for your vision and hard work. I’ve have made so many new friends over the past years. I have always said that the master classes are a composer's dream. Digging deep into the text and meaning of an Art Song is what it’s all about for me. Working with and witnessing the talents of outstanding musicians from all over the world has been such a privilege. So many people have influenced me over the years……Libby Larsen, Arlene Shrut, Franҫois Le Roux, Martha Guth, Edie Hill, Tyler Duncan, Olivier Godin, Alison d’Amato, and the list goes on and on and on. Special thanks go to the performers who have superbly performed my music at Source over the years. Art Song is alive and well in Minneapolis and I have loved every minute of it since it began 7 years ago!