# Ryan Main

> Award-winning composer, director, and clinician whose music for choirs is performed at all levels worldwide.

## About

Ryan Main (b. 1984) is a composer based in Kansas City, Missouri. His compositions have been performed across the globe and extensively throughout the United States, frequently showcased at national and regional American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) conferences, All-State festivals, Carnegie Hall, and other distinguished venues.

Ryan earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Composition from the Conservatory of Music and Dance at the University of Missouri-Kansas City (2003-2006), and dual Master of Music degrees in Music Composition and Music Education from the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University (2006-2009). His mentors included Kevin Puts, Michael Hersch, and Chen Yi.

With dozens of published titles for numerous voicings, Ryan maintains a robust schedule of commissions. His works have received multiple Editor's Choice distinctions from J.W. Pepper and 5-star feature distinctions from Stanton's, two of the largest international sheet music retailers.

Ryan is a sought-after honor choir director, clinician, and presenter, frequently sharing his expertise on leadership strategies, choral classroom engagement, composition processes, and choral literature. He has been featured on podcasts including Choralosophy, Music (Ed) Matters, Choir Director Corner, Choir Ninja, and Choral Catalogue.

## Roles

- Composer and arranger of choral music
- Founder and Artistic Director, Youth Chorus of Kansas City (YCKC)
- Founder, Endeavor Music Publishing LLC
- Professor of Choral Arranging, University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance
- Honor choir director, clinician, and conference presenter

## Professional Memberships

- American Choral Directors Association (ACDA)
- Missouri Choral Directors Association (MCDA)
- National Association for Music Education (NAfME)
- American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP)
- Previously served on the NAfME Council on Music Composition

## Organizations

### Endeavor Music Publishing LLC
Ryan's publishing company, a fair-pay publisher ensuring composers receive the majority of proceeds from each sale. Publishes choral music in print and digital formats.
- Website: https://endeavormusicpublishing.com
- Store: https://endeavormusicpublishing.com/composers/ryan-main

### Youth Chorus of Kansas City (YCKC)
A non-profit organization founded by Ryan, serving youth from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds throughout the Kansas City metro area. Provides meaningful musical opportunities to students who might not otherwise have access to them.
- Website: https://youthchoruskc.org

## Services

### Commissions
Ryan accepts commissions for new choral works. The process is collaborative and personalized. Past commissioners include state and national ACDA conferences, All-State choirs, universities, high school and middle school programs, and community choruses across the United States.

### Clinics and Events
Available for conference keynotes, multi-day composer residencies, honor choirs, regional tours, virtual clinics, Q&As, and presentations on creativity, entrepreneurship, composing, publishing, and choral motivation.

### Sheet Music
All music is published through Endeavor Music Publishing. Print and digital PDF editions available. Practice tracks available for select titles.

### Permissions
Any choir using legally purchased scores may post video or audio recordings to non-monetized social media (YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc.). Competition recordings and adjudicator copies permitted per NFHS guidelines.

## Selected Published Works

- Actus (TB Choir with Piano) - text by Marcus Aurelius
- Il Lampo / The Lightning (SSAB Choir) - text by Giovanni Pascoli
- Sing Together (SATB Choir) - text by Bethany Main
- The River (SATB Choir with Piano) - text by Caroline Anne Bowles
- Dolly Waits (SATB Choir, Accompanied) - text by Juleigh Howard-Hobson
- Legatum / Legacy (2-Part Choir) - text by Blake Richter
- Human-like (SATB A Cappella) - text by ChatGPT
- Better Be A Seed (SATB Choir) - text by Rye Lanae Boothe
- Dies Irae (SATB Choir with Piano)
- Be Who You Are (2-Part Choir) - text by Bethany Main
- Fly Against Fate (SATB Choir with Guitar) - text by Bethany Main
- Connected (SATB Choir with drum set, guitar, bass, synth) - text by Bethany Main
- Watermark (SATB Choir with Piano) - text by Stephen Rew
- Inveniam Viam / Find a Way (SATB Choir) - text by Hannibal, ed. Ryan Main

## Contact

- Website: https://ryanmain.com
- Contact form: https://ryanmain.com/contact
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/ryanmain
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/ryanmainmusic

## Links

- [About](https://ryanmain.com/about): Full biography
- [Commissions](https://ryanmain.com/commissions): Commission history and inquiry
- [Store](https://endeavormusicpublishing.com/composers/ryan-main): Purchase sheet music
- [Listen](https://ryanmain.com/listen): Video recordings of performances
- [Clinics](https://ryanmain.com/clinics): Booking information for clinics, honor choirs, and residencies
- [Events](https://ryanmain.com/events): Upcoming and selected past appearances
- [Press](https://ryanmain.com/press): Podcast interviews, biographies, and photos
- [Permissions](https://ryanmain.com/permissions): Recording and performance permissions
- [FAQ](https://ryanmain.com/faq): Frequently asked questions
- [Full details for AI](https://ryanmain.com/llms-full.txt): Extended version with complete catalog