CK Zehfus
CK Zehfus (Charyl Kneevers) composes music in various styles, often vocal/choral works for which she writes the lyrics. She also sets other poems and prose documents to music, having had various vocal and instrumental pieces performed and published. CK earned Music Theory-Composition Bachelor’s & Masters degrees at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the University of Illinois-Champaign. The former librarian thanks God for musical expression.
Ongoing information & updates can be found at Composer Notes.
Selected Works
SHEBOYGAN COUNTY SUITE
5 movements for choir and mixed instruments, based on historical events from Sheboygan County, was performed twice by Sheboygan’s Lakeshore Chorale. “The Phoenix Story,” movement was premiered at the Phoenix Sesquicentennial Commemoration in Cedar Grove-Belgium WI.
Endorsement:
“Sheboygan County boasts composers who continue to be active in our community. One of the foremost of these is Charyl Zehfus, who studied composition at the University of Illinois. Charyl’s considerable talent also extends to writing the lyrics for the compositions you will hear tonight.”
-Dr. Wayne Wildman, Conductor, Sheboygan Lakeshore Chorale
POETSONGS: A WISCONSIN YEAR IN SONG
12 poets performed their poems before musical renditions by Zehfus. SAT soloists with mixed instrumental ensemble sounded the work on the LIVE Series at John Michael Kohler Arts Center. (CD available)
Reviews:
“The musical settings are as varied as the poems. They include such forms as a medieval chant, an art song, an Irish jig, a polka, blues tunes, a rock number, and even variations on our national anthem. High spirits and comedy rule much of the opus...”
“I thoroughly enjoyed the performance. Each composition represented the poem both melodically and harmonically…I’m looking forward to hearing these pieces again.”
“I had invited three of our children and their spouses. Many of them are serious musicians and all remarked about the many genres in which you so competently composed.”
“We go to a lot of concerts, and this was the best concert we ever attended – a very special performance!”
FANFARE: SPIRIT ON THE LAKE for brass and percussion
Commissioned by City of Sheboygan for its sesquicentennial, the piece was premiered at the Stefanie H. Weill Center for the Performing Arts Center by the Sheboygan Symphony and Proteus 7, and performed by the Kiel Municipal Band in an outdoors concert.
Published at Music for Brass
WHY? blues tune
"Why?" recorded by Lovanova on Day 4 of 9 album.
EDUCATION
"...Bravo on the fact that you still are pursuing your composing, because I for one always believed in your talent and innate musicality.”
Dr. John Downey (1927-2004), Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Music University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Founder and Director of the Wisconsin Contemporary Music Forum and Director of Theory for the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra.