The Supposed History of Brent Lawrence

Brent Lawrence is a composer, guitarist, and music educator living in North Carolina. As a composer of both instrumental and vocal works, he is noted for his use of lush harmonies, earworm melodies, and genre–bending compositional style. In particular, Brent holds an affinity for music featuring the guitar and voice, a nod towards his background is jazz, blues, and American folk music. In addition to purely musical influences, Brent enjoys composing about the outdoors. As an enjoyer of nature, many of his recent works have been inspired narrative interpretations of landscapes. 

Brent is a graduate of the University of Oregon, where he earned a PhD in Music Composition, and teaches music theory and guitar at Pfeiffer University. A small liberal-arts college near Charlotte, NC. He is a member of Landscape Music, a nature-inspired syndicate of composers and performers, and his has written works for Composing in the Wilderness (2017), The Wyoming Festival (2018), and The Oregon Bach Festival Composers Symposium (2018).

Brent studied violin throughout his elementary school years. This foundation aided him while learning jazz guitar throughout high school. In the fall of 2009, Brent began his undergraduate studies in guitar. During this time he honed his skills as a guitarist and songwriter. By the end of sophomore year, Brent had entrenched himself in the Charlotte blues scene and was gigging regularly. Near the end of college, Brent became interested in composition. This interest led him to his graduate studies at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

Brent continues to create works as a composer, guitarist, and scholar. Upcoming projects include a song cycle for guitar and baritone based on the works of William Wordsworth as well as collaborations with songwriter Kevin Goodwin and Pfeiffer University music faculty.