WHO AM I?
I knew that I wanted to be a choir director from the time I was in 5th grade. Going beyond the math of the music and diving deep into the storytelling has always been paramount to who I am as a musician. For me, music is not only about notes on a page, but it's also about the emotions behind them, the history they carry, and the connections they create between singer and audience.
Over the years, I’ve developed a deep love for guiding voices to come together as one unified sound, while still celebrating the individuality each singer brings to the ensemble. Whether rehearsing a complex choral work or shaping a simple phrase, my goal is always to help singers understand the story they are telling and the impact it can have on others.
As a choir director, I strive to create a space where musicians feel supported, challenged, and inspired. I believe that music has the power to build community, foster empathy, and give people a meaningful way to express themselves. Helping singers discover their voices, both musically and personally, is one of the greatest joys of my life's work.
Through every rehearsal and performance, I continue to be guided by the same passion that began at such an early age: allowing music to become more than simply something we hear, but a way to tell stories that resonate long after the final note fades. Above all, my goal is always to inspire, not to impress.
Kirk's
Story
Get to Know Kirk
Kirk Marcy is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of the University of Northern Colorado. He began his teaching career in 1983 at Lake Washington High School, in Kirkland, Washington. In 1987, he joined the Four Freshmen, singing and playing keyboards and brass. In 1988, Kirk returned to the Pacific Northwest to become the Director of Choirs at Edmonds College.
Kirk has been honored to conduct All-State Choirs in fifteen states, and served as guest conductor of the 2014 ACDA Northwest Division Honor Jazz Choir. He is in demand as a clinician and adjudicator at choral and vocal jazz festivals throughout the United States and Canada. Kirk has served as ACDA National Vocal Jazz Repertoire & Standards Chair, and served as the manager for the WMEA All-State Jazz Choir, from 1990 to 2024.
In 2008, Kirk was inducted into the Washington Music Educators Association Hall of Fame. In 2013, he received Edmonds College’s “Excellence in Education Award” for outstanding teaching. Kirk was selected as the 2017 Washington Interscholastic Activities Association ‘Music Educator of the Year’. He retired in June of 2024 after 36 years at Edmonds College and 40 years of teaching.
Kirk is now available for commissions, arrangements, clinics, adjudication, and private instruction. Whether you're a director looking for new repertoire or a composer developing your craft, he'd love to connect.