Conner David McCain, Ph. D. (cand.)

Conner David McCain is a New York-based composer and a Ph.D. candidate in Music Composition, with a concentration in Sacred Choral Music, at the University of Aberdeen. His research focuses on the musical tradition of the Church, particularly Gregorian chant, and religious imagery and inspiration in contemporary art music, especially minimalism as the “sound of eternity.” He holds an MMus from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and an MA in Philosophy and French from the University of St. Andrews in St. Andrews, Scotland. 

As a composer, his works have been performed in Italy, the United Kingdom, and across the United States by ensembles such as Voces8, the Red Note Ensemble, and the Choir of St. Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh. Of particular note, his song cycle for tenor and organ titled, Three Meditations on Holy Saturday, an extra-liturgical setting of selections from Hans Urs von Balthasar’s mystically rich Heart of the World premiered at a memorial concert for Fr. Denis Farkasfalvy, O.Cist. in June 2022. 

Active as an organist and liturgical musician since his freshman year of high school in Dallas, Texas, he has given concerts and recitals in New York, Texas, Washington, D.C., and the United Kingdom. The repertoire of these concerts has ranged from Mendelssohn and Franck to Philip Glass and Louis Vierne, and he is often found collaborating with singers and instrumentalists in repertoire from the early Baroque, such as Tomaso Albinoni and Carlo Lonati to the contemporary, such as Sir James MacMillan and Pēteris Vasks. 

Conner and his wife, an Assistant Professor of Theology at Mount Saint Mary College, and their baby girl, due February 2023, live in the beautiful Hudson Valley. 

More information about Conner’s work can be found at connermccain.com."