About

Craig Sandford is a composer, songwriter, and music educator from New England. After studying cello and piano, he pursued composition and voice at the Hartt School, singing extensively in the choral ensembles and falling in love with choral composition. Building on a traditional harmonic backdrop, his use of dissonance places his music clearly in the 21st century, resulting in vibrant yet accessible choral works that masterfully paint text with music. With utmost attention given to the meaning, rhythm, and emphasis within the text, Craig crafts musical stories that capture the essence of the words with gracious musical lines and shimmering harmonies.

Craig holds a degree in composition, and has completed summer programs in choral conducting, choral pedagogy, and choral composition at Westminster Choir College and Oxford University. His concert works have been performed in the United States and Europe by high school, college, and adult choirs. A former church choir director, he has also composed and arranged anthems for worship. In addition to his degree in composition, he holds a three-year certificate in Biblical studies. His love for sacred music is born from a deep personal faith and study of biblical texts.

Currently living in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, Sandford is on the music faculty at the Northfield Mount Hermon School, where he teaches musicianship and arts appreciation, and accompanies for the choral, instrumental, and theater programs. Although he loves gardening, photography, kayaking, and world travel, his chief joy is spending time with his wife, Kate, and three children.