Stephen Lounsbrough (b. 1988) is a composer of choir, large ensemble, and chamber music. His musical pursuits began at a young age, first studying violin, then piano and guitar, and was arranging and composing by junior high. Though an avid and curious musician through these early years and in college, it was not until after undergraduate studies that Lounsbrough began formal training in composition with Bill Dougherty. In 2013, his work for choir, Oh the Depth of the Riches, was chosen as the winner of the Des Moines Vocal Arts Ensemble’s first composition contest and was performed in May 2013. Since then, Lounsbrough has received recognition in student and amateur ensembles and conferences for choral, large ensemble, and chamber works. His music has been performed around the United States, in Brazil, South Africa, Spain, and Australia. He holds degrees from Faith Baptist Bible College (B.A. and M.A.) and Central Michigan University (M. Mus.). He has studied composition with Scott Harding, Jay Batzner, José-Luiz Maurtua, Hummie Mann, Lori Laitman, and David Gillingham.
Lounsbrough’s music is broadly tonal and modal and often seeks to evoke nostalgia or calm beauty. Recent works such as REMINISCE (2014), Invocation (2016), and To the Virgin-Born (2016) stretch the bounds of traditional notation or instrumentation to achieve innovative moments and unique combination of sound. Believing that music can be a means through which the image of God, or his unseen attributes, are displayed, Lounsbrough strives for creative beauty and unified diversity in his writing. Themes of a universal longing for eternity are also a common thread.
Stephen currently resides in Michigan with his wife, Kaitlyn, and four children and serves as a pastor and music director at Evangel Baptist Church.