Marshall McDonald
Listeners across the world have fallen in love with Marshall McDonald’s music. As a pianist, arranger and composer, Marshall has developed a unique musical style that combines classical, inspirational, film score and new age genres of music all in one. Paula, a listener from Iowa perhaps best describes Marshall’s music as “Goosebumps Music.” He has nine full-length albums, four film scores, and two symphonies to his credit.
In 2007, Marshall performed his acclaimed arrangement of If You Could Hie To Kolob as a guest soloist with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on its weekly broadcast of Music and the Spoken Word. In addition, the reigning world champion BYU Ballroom Dance Team has used Marshall’s music in its competitions and performances across the world.
The Orchestra of Southern Utah, in conjunction with the National Endowment for the Arts, commissioned Marshall and his good friend, Steven Sharp Nelson to compose the Spanish Trail Suite in honor of the Old Spanish Trail becoming a nationally recognized trail by the U.S. Congress, and AFRICA, which has been downloaded over 2 million times since its premiere in 2008.
He also worked for a time on the WB network television series “Everwood” as a musician and hand double for the actor, Gregory Smith. During its first season, Marshall oversaw all of the music-related scenes, and when the lead character, Ephraim, played the piano, it was actually Marshall’s hands on the keys!
He graduated from the University of Utah in with BA degrees in Music and Communications and his Masters degree in Public Administration. He is currently a full-time Seminary teacher for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and an adjunct music professor at Salt Lake Community College. He and his wife Kristien live in Sandy, Utah with their daughter, Cedar Jane, son, Rowan, Cavalier Spaniel, Lady, and two cats, Murphy and Graham. Those who know Marshall will tell you that he is best known for his music, his smile, and his love of chocolate milk.
