A Brief Bio
Owen Kirby
Owen Kirby is a composer defined by his desire to merge musical elements from differing genres into his own style. His music is often marked by shifting and undulating harmonies, rhythmic explorations, and lyrical melodies. Owen is inspired by the human experience and loves to explore how various emotions can translate into music. He is constantly awestruck by the beautiful planet we call home, and strives to connect his music to his experiences in the wilderness. His current muse includes pondering how to pursue narrative storytelling in music. Owen is an improviser, a human being, and though he may seem otherwise at times, a complete goofball.
Recently, he was named winner of the 2025 Montana Youth Symphony Composition Competition and worked with them to premiere his symphonic work, Rebirth: Fanfare for a New Day (2024). Some other notable performances of Owen’s work include the premiere of his chamber orchestra piece, into the other (2025) by students at the University of Montana, and the premiere of his piece for SATB a cappella choir, Through The Shimmering Glass (2025), with the University of Montana Chamber Chorale.
Owen Kirby holds two Bachelor degrees in Music Composition and Saxophone Performance from the University of Montana. He’s collaborated with numerous groups to either perform or have his work played, such as the UM Chamber Chorale, UM Symphonic Wind Ensemble, OVAA Quartet, Samara Quartet, Montana Youth Symphony, Missoula Chamber Music Collective, and many other individual musicians. In 2024, Owen was announced winner of the University of Montana Concerto Aria Competition. He was also principal baritone saxophonist of the OVAA Quartet, who were announced winners of the University of Montana Concerto Aria Competition in 2022. They also received Second Prize in the Medici International Music Competition, Third Prize in the London International Music Competition in 2022, and placed first in their division in the Birmingham Music Competition in 2022.
Outside of music, Owen has a passion and love for the natural world and the experiences one can have within different landscapes. He loves connecting with others and having meaningful conversations. And he enjoys many hobbies, whether that be traipsing through the mountains, rock climbing, swing dancing, reading, and so much more!
