Welcome to the musical world of Shirley Mier!

Shirley Mier is a composer, music director, pianist - and, it must be acknowledged, a music theory geek. (Why aren't there more types of 7th chords?) Shirley composes music of all kinds. Whatever the style or genre, her music is rooted in tonality, with harmonic inventiveness, clarity and momentum. It also has plenty of drama and humor, thanks in part to her musical theatre background.

Theatre remains the focus of her activity, composing- and music-directing-wise - but she continues to write concert and educational music for a variety of ensembles, including concert band, string quartet and piano duet.  She has set music to texts along the entire sublime-to-ridiculous spectrum, from Alexander the Great to the Three Billy Goats Gruff to Shakespeare to Soulless, Bloodsucking Lawyers... (and if by chance you're a lawyer, I am sure you are not that kind...)

In May 2005 Shirley completed her Ph.D. in Composition at the University of Minnesota, where she also earned her M.A. in Composition in 2002 with a minor in Theatre Arts. She earned her B.A. in Music from Grinnell College in 1988. Shortly thereafter she moved to Minneapolis to do a theatre gig, and has lived there ever since - despite the fact that she was born in Florida. Go figure.

Welcome! Please take a look around. For information on ordering music, e-mail or call Shirley directly.

And just in case you're wondering - it's pronounced "Meyer."