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Carol Crowder Phillips

Carol Crowder Phillips image

Artist • Composer


Artist • Composer

Carol Crowder Phillips was raised in a musical family, and began playing the piano and composing at a very early age, and playing the violin at age 6. She began teaching piano at the age of 12, and violin soon after. She earned a Bachelor’s of Music Education degree from Oklahoma State University; taught music in Nairobi, Kenya as a Peace Corps volunteer; and has worked professionally as a violinist, pianist, organist, and singer. In 2005, she added the kinnor—a 10-string harp (a King David’s Harp)—to her instruments of performance and composition.

Carol has studied composition with Evan Tonsing (Oklahoma State University:1977); attended a master class with Aaron Copland (University of Oklahoma: 1977); James Schlater (Mississippi College: 1983); Craig Steven Shuler (private lessons: 2010); R&B singer/songwriter, Rudy C. Love (2010); and Alice Parker (Composer’s Workshop, Hawley, MA: 2012).

In 2010 she was one of three winners of the a cappella Psalm composition contest for Ascending Voice II, an international symposium of sacred a cappella music, at Pepperdine University, in Malibu, California.

In 2008 she took the course: The Geographical and Historical Settings of the Bible at Jerusalem University College in Israel; and in 2011 studied Ethnodoxology at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.

She has two Psalms (hymns) in the Volume Two Hymnal: God Enthroned Forever: Timeless: Ancient Psalms for the Church Today: Abilene Christian University Press (copyright 2016).

Her compositions have been performed throughout the United States and in Kenya. Her compositions are influenced by a wide diversity of musical and cultural experiences. The majority of her work is setting scripture and spiritual texts to music. She has also composed for a variety of solo instruments, small ensembles, big band, and choirs.

Carol currently lives and composes in Vancouver, WA, bringing scripture and poetry to life in song.

Audience and Press Reviews

  • “The marriage of the Psalms with Carol’s writing of the music is healing.”

    — Amy Claire de Cola, soloist and teacher - Garland, Texas

  • “How wonderful to have these new beautiful and moving renditions of sacred scripture and text. I love the fresh new sacred sounds and the music lingers in my soul long after the service. I eagerly await these treasures each week.”

    — Debbie Allen, soloist - Garland, Texas

  • “Carol’s music is inspiring and up lifting. I especially love her music arrangements of the Psalms and other inspired passages, both from the Bible, and other spiritual writings. It brings me joy every time I hear it.”

    — Scott Faunt - Portland, OR

  • “It is a pleasure to hear your most beautiful music which you play on our church piano. It is appropriate for the occasion, rhythmic, joyous, and ever explores fresh melodies. I am grateful to hear you play your original music. It is a privilege to hear.”

    — Scott Putnam - Portland, OR

  • “This week's responsive reading has some of Psalm 139, and I've got to tell you that I feel so intimately connected with this psalm after hearing you sing it last Sunday!”

    — John Shaw - Vancouver, WA

  • “Carol's poem songs take me inside the feeling and perspective of the poet in an immediate way. She perfectly fits the thoughts, emotions and passions of a poem into an expressive and beautiful experience that often brings me to tears.”

    — Susan Shaw - Vancouver, WA

  • "As an artist and producer, working with Carol’s compositions is a very rewarding experience…to experience the courageousness of her pioneering and intensely and inspirational compositions keep me creatively excited, and I love it!"

    — Rudy Love, singer/songwriter - Wichita, Kansas

  • “Carol is an intrepid musical explorer bound by no specific genre. Her expressive personality shines through an eclectic style spectrum. She delivers the essence of her subject in a visceral, emotional way compelling the listener to join the journey.”

    — John Salem, musician, sound engineer - Wichita, Kansas

  • "The music was wonderful and felt like a long drink of water to a thirsty soul!"

    — Beth Dutson - Portland, OR

  • "Carol Phillips is a brilliant composer whose music is, to me, reminiscent of that of John Rutter, renowned 20th Century English composer: ageless, powerful, awe-inspiring. Carol has the ability to bring the music to life in an incredible and inspirational listening experience that nourishes the hungry soul."

    — Carolyn Kardinal, composer/lyricist - Gresham, OR